Marathon Training Section. Breaking Through the Wall

Published on: 27 October 2017 Last Updated on: 20 July 2024
Marathon Training Section

Every runner knows what “to hit the wall” means and almost every runner lives in fear of it interfering with their race. During a marathon hitting the wall is the main problem, thus, breaking through wall is the number one priority as the success with the race depends on it.

The wall is considered as the most difficult period in a marathon when things transition from being just hard to being really very-very hard. It is a specific runner`s condition of sudden fatigue and loss of energy.

For most runners, the latest 6.2 miles (or 10-K) of the marathon are commonly the toughest part of the race when the legs feel like if they are made of cement, when the stomach is queasy, the head starts getting dizzy and negative thoughts flood the mind.

The wall is hard to describe to a non-runner as it`s something that needs to experience to understand. Jerome Drayton, winner of the 81st Boston Marathon, said it best: “To describe the agony of the marathon to someone who’s never run it is like trying to explain the color to someone who was born blind.” Some athletes call it “wall”, some also call this state “bonking”.  But it doesn’t really matter how to call it, it`s more importantly, what to do about it, namely, how to break through the wall and reach the finish line first.

The key to avoiding the wall or at least minimizing its impact on your race is understanding what`s going on in your body and preparing yourself for it with proper training, intelligent race management, right nutrition and appropriate hydration strategies.

Prepare Your Body For The Race 

If you include the long training runs in your training program you’ll be able to train your body for the marathon. Your long runs are the best training for avoiding the wall as they will condition your muscle for a marathon distance. By the way, they help you build your endurance and make your muscles more injury resistant. You have to experience and stimulate the exertion of the marathon every day, preferably 16 weeks before it. Your long runs should be done slowly (at least 2 minutes per mile) than the marathon pace. Remember, here your goal isn’t a distance, here your goal is duration! For example, if you run training commonly lasts 4:30 hours, your long run should last 4 hours (it means 3 hours of long runs in the morning and an additional hour in the evening).

Analyze Nutrition Matters 

When your aim is to win the marathon you have to draw your attention to the right nutrition strategy. If you prepare your muscles with daily progressive long runs that’s great, but don’t forget your muscles are fueled by using the combination of fat and glycogen. The harder you’re pushing yourself, the more fuel your body needs. So you should eat before the marathon and during it! At least 300 calories you need to take in an hour before the race to raise your blood sugar level and help your brain concentrate on the task. Then every hour of the marathon you should consume about 200 calories. That can be candy, a banana, cookies, energy gels or an energy bar. It would be better if you work out what fuel is easiest for you to transport, use and digest before the race.

Drink More Often 

It`s equally important to stay hydrated during the marathon. When you lose water through sweat, your overall blood volume is decreased and that’s why there’s less blood available to carry oxygen to your muscles. So dehydration also leads to the marathon wall. Try not to pass the early water stops even if you feel that you’re not thirsty! By the time your body tells you it’s thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. You have to drink two 8-ounce glasses of water or sports drink 2 hours before the marathon and take in 6 to 8 ounces of water or sports drink at every water station every 15-20 minutes of the race (of course, depending on the weather conditions, your body size and sweat rate). This will help you avoid dehydration so your blood will move smoothly from your heart to your leg muscles, providing the oxygen to those muscles and shuttling waste products away. By the way, consuming enough fluids keeps sweat flowing that cools you down and helps you ease muscle cramps. Don`t be afraid to lose your precious time, just stop and drink. These few seconds will pay off further.

Follow Proper Marathon Race Management 

The biggest and most common marathon race mistake is to start the marathon too fast. Of course, you feel so strong and full of energy early in the race, so you tend to run too fast. Don`t do that, in no case! If you want to cross the finish line you have not to overestimate your potential. Keep in mind that you have to save your energy for the last 6 miles.

Use Head Games To Reach The Finish Line 

To make the last 6 miles easier you shouldn’t focus on how your body is feeling or your fatigue, if anything, you can visualize yourself in another situation and try to dissociate. For example, don`t concentrate on the race you may imagine yourself by the sea or visualize achieving your goal. The main thing is to think of something nice and you’ll cross the finish line before you know it!

As you see with the right training program and racing techniques, proper nutrition, hydration and mental strategies you can easily make the last 6 miles of your marathon and defeat the wall once and for all.

Read More :

 

Helen Rogers is an editor of http://thecrossfitshoes.com/ She helps people get stronger. She shares running and sports questions, beauty tips. All her stories are result-oriented and make her readers become healthy, wealthy and wise.

 

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

American Healthcare

American Healthcare and its Woes

Most Americans agree that healthcare is important. Deciding who pays for quality healthcare is where disagreement begins. That part isn’t surprising. What many people fail to realize, is how unfounded disagreement can translate into unfair outcomes. Fortunately, Dylan Scott at Vox visualized the state of American healthcare in five sobering charts. His revelations were based on data published by the US Census Bureau in 2016, but that doesn’t make them any less compelling. According to Scott, everything from geopolitics and age to racial or ethnic heritage and even employment status can have a huge impact on healthcare. In other words, countless citizens live somewhere that doesn’t necessarily prioritize public access to affordable healthcare, and they don’t even realize it. The problems appear too complex to outsiders. That alone prevents the grand majority of them from trying to address things. Nevertheless, those individuals devoted to understanding the issues point to only a few key variables. For instance, Olga Khazan at The Atlantic highlighted three main reasons why our healthcare system is the worst amongst developed countries. Inadequate healthcare insurance coverage is the first obstacle, and with more than 27 million uninsured Americans, it’s no joking matter. Administrative inefficiency is another serious impediment, but it’s also unsurprising given the profit incentive. Everyone wants a piece of the proverbial pie. The final culprit is our primary care services, which are fragmented and disorganized to the point of sometimes inhibiting patient treatment. Conscientious writers like Olga aren’t the only ones publicizing the dismal state of affairs. Scholars from the foremost universities have begun to express similar sentiments when it comes to the healthcare system. Karen Feldscher at The Harvard Gazette promoted a joint study orchestrated by Harvard and the London School of Economics. According to the research, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), “The US has substantially higher spending, worse population health outcomes, and worse access to care than other wealthy countries.” The authoring researchers pinpointed administrative costs, prescription pharmaceuticals, and average annual salaries as the primary drivers of rampant healthcare prices. Comparing our healthcare system to those instituted abroad rarely makes sense. While the federal government vows to protect minors and has safety nets for the elderly, the status quo can quickly betray either group, depending on the nature of the scenario. Our elders are especially susceptible to disastrous possibilities without sufficient care. Many of the educated ones rely on specialized groups like Easy Medicare to investigate insurance eligibility and coverage details. The process isn’t nearly as intuitive when your health is already in decline, which is precisely why professional groups and services exist. It’s fair to say that without such support, still more people might fall by the wayside. Universal healthcare is likely to become increasingly popular if the described trends continue unabated. The healthcare outcomes are unsustainable and they seem to reflect the income inequalities and other disparities that plague America. The best that some of us can do, for the time being, is choose wisely between residing in a red or a blue state. Nisarg Patel at Slate emphasized as much just last year. According to him, “The battleground over healthcare has moved out of the national sphere and into state politics.” While the idea of moving for the sake of healthcare and medical attention might sound foreign to some individuals, numerous Americans have firsthand experience. Suffice it to say that the national healthcare system is not in an ideal condition. Debating the subject and advocating for better policies are both meaningful steps. It is our collective duty to demand appropriate healthcare for each and every person, regardless of circumstance or socioeconomic standing. Anything less ought to be considered a tragic betrayal. Read Also: Ensuring Quality Healthcare With Correct Diagnoses What Is The Chain Of Survival?

READ MOREDetails
Poor Oral Hygiene

5 Ways Poor Oral Hygiene Can Impact Your Life

Oral problems are quite common among different age groups. It is really turning out to be a global challenge. According to a study, oral disease is estimated to affect around 3.5 billion people globally. The problem is huge in middle-income countries. There 3 out of every 4 people are suffering from it. One of the reasons that the problem tends to increase is the need for more awareness. People tend to avoid it, and as a result, the problems aggravate and turn into serious health issues. Are you, too, suffering from oral issues? In that case, this article is quite effective in serving your needs. Here we discuss some of the high risks associated with poor oral hygiene. Ways Poor Oral Hygiene Can Impact Your Life In general, you must brush your teeth two times a day and floss your teeth. But unfortunately, we do not really take care of teeth care, and as a result, we invite dental issues. According to a study it is found out that around 31% of Americans floss daily, and around 19% of them do not floss at all. This is an example of utter negligence and a highly lenient approach. Ultimately, it leads to serious consequences, so you should learn about its risk factors. Here we discuss some of the risk factors associated with oral issues. 1. Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke It was found that individuals who suffer from periodontal disease are twice likely to be diagnosed with heart disease. The plaque and bacteria cause the bacteria and narrow down the arteries. Narrowing down the arteries increases the risk of severe heart attacks. The blood vessels that send blood to your brain can become completely clogged, and thus it increases the risks of stroke. So with simple negligence, you are paying the highest form of price. Therefore we advise seeing the elderly people in your house as an oral care expert. Select expert services with experience with restorative dentistry, porcelain veneers, advanced teeth whitening, dental implant services, and others. They are professionals, and they can help you serve your needs. Visit the website to learn more about it. 2. Risk Of Dementia People who are negligent with their oral hygiene may suffer from the risks of dementia. When you are lenient with oral care, you may lose your teeth. The problem leads to loss of memory or dementia. This is the reason that older people with dementia have multiple oral problems like mucosal lesions, periodontal pockets, and gingival bleeding. According to a study, around 6.7 million people above the age of 65 live with Alzheimer's. Around 73% of older people above 70 are seen suffering from dementia. Hence, you can understand the direct link between dementia and oral health issues. 3. Respiratory Conditions Oral cavities have long been considered a potential reservoir for the respiratory pathogens. The infection mechanism can completely affect your lung, and they have the capability of causing oral health issues like pneumonia and colonization of dental plaque. Different studies suggest that the issues affect elderly people faster than younger ones. If you suffer from periodontal disease, the bacteria have the potential to travel into your lungs. These bacteria are directly responsible for the deteriorating conditions of the respiratory system. Not only this condition may put you at a greater risk of suffering from acute bronchitis or chronic pneumonia. 4. Risk Of Diabetes According to a study, there is a direct link between oral health and the risk of diabetes. Let's try to understand it in simple terms. When the glucose levels increase, people living with diabetes may have an excess of glucose in their saliva. These conditions lead to increasing dental problems and can lead to tooth decay and cavities. This is a slow process, but long-term negligence can aggravate conditions. According to a study, around 95% of the individuals who live in the United States are recorded with some form of periodontal disease or the loss of teeth. Therefore you must consult an expert on the following problems. It can lead you toward a ray of hope. 5. Oral Cancer Research involving nearly 150,000 men and women ranging from the age group between twenty-two and twenty lengths was performed. It was found that 43% of people suffering from oral problems have a 43% more risk of developing esophageal cancer than those with good oral care habits. Lack of tooth care results in the development of harmful bacteria that aggravate that place. Hence, you could identify the link between gum care and the risk of developing diseases. Tips For Teeth Cleaning Now that you know the complexities of oral health issues, you can realize how important it is to care for your teeth. Here we provide you with top tips for comprehensive care. Let us start with the basics; first, you must brush your teeth twice a day, especially before bed and early in the morning. When you are brushing, make time to gently massage your gums. At the same time, you must use mouthwash after brushing and flossing. Make a healthy eating habit. Try to avoid sugary drinks and snacks. They have a direct impact on your teeth. You can use night guards if you grind your teeth unconsciously during the nighttime. It is always important to rinse your mouth with water after meals. It's the simplest way to take care of your teeth and gums. Most importantly, make time for the scheduled checkups with the physicians. They are extremely important from the point of view of your dental health. They are experts, and they can guide you with practices and medications. You do not need to worry regarding your oral health care practices. Putting The Discussion To A Close Dental health issues are becoming quite common among people of different age groups. One must not be negligent with it. Everyone must ensure they take care of their teeth and gums with simple practices to avoid fatal diseases. So why take risks unnecessarily? Make it a routine to brush your teeth twice a day and keep germs and bacteria at bay. Read Also: Is It Healthier To Have Dentures? E-Cigarettes: How They Effect On Your Oral Health The Relationship Between Oral Health and General Health

READ MOREDetails
Depression

Some Famous People Who Have Battled with Depression

If you have ever wondered if celebrities and all the successful people you know ever had to deal with stress and all the negativity “normal people” struggle with daily? The truth is they also do. They suffer pain, loss, and depression, just like everyone else. It’s possible you have heard of celebrities with depression or who even suffered from mental breakdowns; they had to be checked into rehab. But this article isn’t about famous people who have visited rehab before but those who have one time dealt with depression. So without wasting time, below are some of the celebrities you know who have suffered depression in their lives. Dwayne Johnson Now, if you think ‘’The Rock” is one stone-cold machismo character, well, he is when he is on screen. But when the 6ft 4inches tall celebrity is off-screen, he certainly has a lot to contend with like everyone else. In a recent talk with British newspaper Express, he opened up to being depressed, and the dude didn’t have any serious reasons for being so, aside from being human. And he encouraged guys specially to do better than bottle everything in. “Depression Never Discriminate.” He shared later on his tweeter page. Katy Perry American female pop sensation Katy Perry has also revealed on time on a live stream tour on YouTube about how she too fights depression and is never ashamed to say so. She urged her fans to keep it real with themselves and everyone watching the need to take mental health seriously. Lady Gaga With many hit songs and billboard toppers to her name, one wouldn’t be surprised that her royal highness Lady Gaga would have had to weather through stormy days. And if there is anything to learn from the celebrity is that we can rise above our challenges. She opened up about how she uses medication to battle depression and anxiety and advised her fans to be open about their health. You can find out here what you should do when you are faced with a nervous breakdown. Michael Phelps If you have won a series of gold medals for competitive swimming, you would surely know how to recover from any drowning situation. But it will interest you to discover that the world record swimmer Michael Phelps almost ended his life sometime after the 2012 Olympics. And if there is anything we’ve found out from successful people is that success comes at a price. So Phelps had to sober up and get the help he needed. So if you want to conquer depression, you want to pay the price and get the right help. J.K Rowling It is no surprise that celebrity author of the Harry Potter Books, J.K Rowling, would appear on the list of celebrities who have battled depression. For someone who has put smiles on the faces of millions could only have done so by sacrificing a bit of theirs. And for J.K, it wasn’t that she was sad, as she described it on Oprah, “it’s that cold absence of feeling.” Jim Carrey The only man crazy enough to pull off the stunts in ‘’The Mask.” And also stared in some of the funniest character movies of all time, Ace Ventura comes to mind is also on the list of celebrities who have suffered from depression. And what’s interesting about Carrey’s situation is that he doesn’t use medication such as anti-depressants or alcohol to help deal with life's issues. He faces them squarely and urges you to do so too. There are useful tips on this page https://www.verywellmind.com/overcoming-addiction-4157285 about fighting addiction. Johnny Depp Actor Johnny Depp could be one of Hollywood’s most anxious celebrities, and it is no secret that he works with therapists even while on movie sets to help manage his anxiety. Although he does a fine job with his character while on stage, he easily shows his anxiety during interview sessions. Eminem Another famous celebrity on the list is Eminem, and it is no secret that the rapper has had to battle with a lot of challenging situations. One of them is the unending conflict with his ex-wife, which the artist often rapped about in some of his verses. Depression can affect your health negatively and should not be taken likely. You want to look out for signs that you may be in a depressive state and seek expert help if you are too deep. Read Also: Are You Wondering About The Risk Factors For Depression? 6 Healthy Habits That Will Change Your Life Natural and Practical Methods of Tackling Insomnia

READ MOREDetails