Running...with or without the scissors

So I've never been a runner. I joined track once. The end of that story. For something who doesn't run, however, I use the verb very frequently. I'm running on empty. Running on fumes. Running on coffee. I must be American, because America Runs on Dunkins. Here's the thing, running makes you tired. Today my friend was telling me about her run, all scheduled for tomorrow. Yesterday another friend chronicled her run with her boyfriend. The ideas seems nice, but I don't run. So what do I do? Replace the run- use what I need to get a "runner's high?". I'd like to start running on other things, maybe chocolate, dance and music? And I'd like the word run to stand-alone. People always talk about a "run in the park" or this or that. Let's just let life run people...