It is that time of the year when we are bent on running far, and putting in those long miles. Remember just a few months ago when anything beyond 21km seemed impossible? And now 21km does not even suffice as a weekend training run...
By now, anyone planning to run Comrades should have already run a qualifying marathon, and should be planning another marathon or ultra in the next 2 weeks as final preparation for the big day.
So most of you reading this would have run 42.2km, or 26.2 miles, and have probably experienced 'the wall' - that feeling of total exhaustion, confusion and will to quit. Yet despite that feeling, you are planning to do it all again in a few weeks time on a long run. And if you think you felt it on a marathon, imagine how many times you might feel that way along the R103 on the 2nd of June. It seems runners are really slow learners.
The truth remains that 'the wall' can hit you at any time, on any distance. It all depends on your pre-race training, nutrition and physical well being on the day. I have hit the wall (hard) on 15km races and half-marathons. And even on club time trials. So what causes this, and how do we overcome 'the wall'?
Here is an article (courtesy of www.runningplanet.com) which explains quite nicely what it is and how to beat it. Physical and mental fatigue, depletion of glycogen stores, dehydration, and the longing for love and sympathy all seem to be contributing factors. And without opening a debate on low-carb diets, there is some info to be gained from reading this.
Enjoy the article, and most of all, enjoy your training!
(And remember that rest and recovery is still part of the training program).
Regards,
Andrew
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