Marathon Training Section. Breaking Through the Wall

Published on: 27 October 2017 Last Updated on: 20 July 2024

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 81^st 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.

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.

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5 Rowing Machine Workout Tips Every Fitness Person should know

A rowing machine is also referred to as an indoor rower. Rowing machines are capable of providing an intense workout to all the main muscle groups in the body. It is a great cardiovascular exercise and provides strength and shape to the body. Working out on rowing machines is quite similar to rowing a boat with the help of an oar. However, you must use low-impact and smooth rowing patterns in order to prevent injuries while rowing machine workouts. Workout is fun but if not done properly can cause injuries and pain in the body. 5 Rowing Machine Workout Tips Every Fitness Person should know Here we have listed some rowing machine workout tips that you must know. 1. Slow Down your Rowing Machine Strokes It is always observed that rowing machine is not used properly by most of the people. People usually tend to apply a greater force for pulling it too far as a result of which their strokes are very short and they try to move back and forth very fast. However, it is always advisable to make longer and slower strokes in order to achieve better precision and make the most out of your workout. Remember the slower the rowing strokes the better they are. 2. Focus more on Legs than from your Arms People usually hold a perception that rowing machine workouts are more about arm strength rather than the legs but this is not true. Rowing machine workouts are a leg- dominant exercise. We often try hard to pull the machine back with all our arm strength but when we have to come forward on the slide the very first movement must be made with our legs in order to apply all the power of the glutes. It can be even compared with a squat run where you have to use more of the movement of your legs and arms instead of your arm strength. 3. Check your Posture Posture is one of the main elements of rowing and sitting at a right posture during your rowing machine workouts can make the real difference. Therefore, you must keep in mind the following points in order to get the right posture. You must sit in a bolt upright position because you will have to make use of your back for strength during the workout. Do not lean too back or forth because this will result in loss of some power. You should aim for tall yet slight back sitting posture which will help you maximize your power during the workout and make most of it. 4. Concentrate on your Pulling Techniques Pulling techniques are the core to your rowing workouts. You might observe a number of pulling techniques used by people around you in the gym but there are several pulling techniques that will make your rowing workout sessions more effective. Whenever you pull the handle back with body, the stroke must finish just below your pecs and not somewhere near your sternum. Some people might go quite high up as it provides them better split on the screen but this is not a good technique and can result in injury. So, it important to get the right technique to avoid injuries while working out. 5. Make Proper Workout Plans Most of the people treat rowing workouts as their warm-up exercise and spend a shorter time on the rowing machine which means they try to complete it as fast as possible. However, if you need quick and better results then you must plan your rowing machine workouts properly. A regular workout of 20 minutes on the rowing machine will give you fair results. You will be able to note the difference and this will also improve your workout techniques. Make a proper workout plan like assigning the workout time, targeting for predetermined speed and distance to be covered within the desired time. This will definitely show quick results. Conclusion Working out on rowing machines is quite productive and known for giving quick results if carried out regularly in a proper manner. So, the above-listed rowing machine workout tips will surely help you get quick results and benefits from your workouts. Every fitness person should know these tips. Read More: 7 Ways To Kick Off Your Fitness Routine Get Up And Workout! Things To Consider What Are Popular Mind And Body Exercises Available At A Gym?

Addiction Treatment: 11 Tips to Find the Best Rehabilitation Center

When you're in the depths of an addiction or someone you love is, you don't know where to turn. It's a scary, confusing, dark, and overwhelming time for everyone involved. How do you get help? Where do you get help? Can you afford it? Those are all valid questions. Especially if you don't know if you can convince your loved one to go to rehab! All those factors can lead you down a road of what ifs, but there's only one what if that matters. What if you find the best rehabilitation center? Then things will start looking up. Get our guide on where to start and what questions to ask here. What Makes the Best Rehabilitation Center The Best? We can't give you one answer, or one center, that's definitively best. That's because the right rehabilitation center for your loved one isn't the same as the right one for someone else. Some people need a single-gender environment, some need more of a detox, and others need a holistic offering. We'll get more into what all that means and how to tell what they need below. Before we analyze them and their needs, don't take their opinion completely out of the picture. They may be on drugs, but they should get a say in their treatment (except, you know, the sobriety part). 1. Ask A Professional: If you think your loved one needs treatment for addiction, try to get them to a doctor or a professional. There the doctor can diagnose the specifics of the addiction. Maybe they'll run some vitals and decide that your loved one needs a more medically-oriented care setting. Or they can see patterns in their addiction, that the untrained eye can't. You can ask your doctor or professional for a recommendation of the best treatment center. If they don't know any specifics, ask them some of the following questions. 2. How Long of Treatment Do They Need? In theory, the only person who decides how long treatment takes is the addict. The classic programs last ninety days, which gives people time to reform their body, mind, and attitude. But some people can't afford a whole ninety-day stay or maybe their addiction isn't that developed. A thirty-day stay may be more appropriate for a budding addict. Ask your doctor their opinion on length, so you know what programs to look for. If you can't get the addict to a doctor and you've known them a while, think about how they learn and function. Has your addict done well in highly-structured environments? Or do they do better working at their own pace? Think back to school days and the challenges they had in that setting. This can tell you how long and arduous of a program they need. 3. What's The Treatment Approach? On that last note, there are as many types of treatment approaches as there are to teaching or parenting. That's to say, each person believes in a slightly different version than someone else. If you're the addict's mother or family member, this gives you good insight on the type of treatment approach they'll thrive under. Someone who's sensitive and needs coddling won't do well in an orders-barked center. However, someone who went to military school or likes the idea of having structure may like the rules-are-law approach. 4. Counseling Services: What kind of counseling services does the rehabilitation center offer? This, again, is all about the right fit for the addict in your life. In general, there are two types of behavioral therapy: cognitive (ct) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitive only therapy (CT) is a theory from the 1960's that looks at how the patient interprets the situation. It's the more classic, lay on the couch and talk about what's bothering your type of therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is different, but only slightly. CBT therapists look at how behaviors and perceptions work together to create interpretations. CBT usually uses more hands-on approaches, if the situation calls for it, like the empty chair technique. They may not get into the specifics of this on their website, so if you care, call and ask. Most therapists use a mix of both theories, while others use different ones altogether. An up and coming method is called kinetic therapy, where the professional urges the client to connect feelings in their mind to parts of their body. If the addict has had luck with therapy before, even if it's not addiction related, this can help you choose the path that's right for them. 5. Medical Comforts: We all know that apart from the emotional turmoil of addiction, the hardest part is the detox. Detoxification symptoms differ by substance. For opioids and painkillers, the addict can feel like they have the flu for five to seven days, fevers and all. For Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, seizures and an increase in anxiety attacks are common. Cocaine withdrawal looks like depression and restlessness, while alcohol withdrawal symptoms include seizures or tremors. The effects of benzos and alcohol can last for weeks, if not months. That said, you may want to choose a rehabilitation center that offers symptom relief. Having a doctor on-site to prescribe non-psychoactive drugs can help ease the detox process. You need to ask this before-hand. Some centers believe in a completely drug-free approach. 6. Residential or Outpatient care: Whether or not your addict needs to be on site all the time is up to them you and your budget. Residential programs are the most expensive since they have to provide things like meals and housing. However, they're also the most full-service and some think the best for advanced addicts. Other things to take into consideration about residential care is the types of patients. Do they only take opioid patients or do they mix people with different addictions? This is another personal preference area. Some people believe that the similarity of the experience leads to a better rehab, while others believe that addicts of the same kind egg each other on. There's no right or wrong answer. 7. Budget: A lot of the time, when you see rehabilitation centers advertised, they say things like "luxury" and "all inclusive". These are centers that charge an arm and a leg - that have money left over for marketing. Their calls of luxury don't mean their the best. They could be, but they could also spend all their money on the amenities and not pay or pick high-quality staff. You want to find rehab centers that have a balance of both. Obviously, you don't want your addict in a falling-apart facility, but is a waterfall in their room really going to aid recovery? Don't over-spend or over-shoot your budget because one looks fancier than the other. A grand pool or beautiful location won't heal your loved one any quicker. 8. Co-Occurring Disorders: The statistics and correlation between people with addiction issues and people with mental illness are staggering. Approx 7.9 million adults in the united states suffer from substance abuse with a co-occurring illness. We call this a "co-occurring" disorder and most drug treatments won't work unless you also treat the other issue. Someone may do a lot of cocaine because they're depressed and cocaine gives them energy. If you take the cocaine away from them, but they don't address the depression, they're going to turn back to cocaine for energy. Find a center that treats co-occurring disorders along with addictions. This combination gives your loved one a better shot at lasting recovery. 9. Visitation Policies: When you pick a center for your loved one, will they allow you to visit them? Some centers believe in isolation from outside sources. Others don't. Figure out which situation will be best for your addict - and your own sanity as someone as that loves them. 10. Financing Options: Does your rehabilitation center offer a payment plan? Most do these days, but some will ask for half or a deposit up front. You know your finances and there's only so much you can do. Most insurance carriers don't cover rehab, but it's worth a call to see if they'll cover a percentage. 11. Ask the Addict: If you've gotten the addict to agree to rehab, good for you and for them! The biggest success factor in rehab situations is whether or not the addict wants to recover. Ask them what kind of treatment center they see themselves in. It'll give you an idea of what to look for. Rehab Centers: Finding The Right One: Did you know that you can tour some rehabilitation centers before you commit to one? The tours may be short or only show you a bit of the facility to protect patient privacy. At the very least, the best rehabilitation centers should offer a consultation with a therapist or an intake specialist. There you can ask them the questions we talked about in this list and any others burning on your mind. We hope you've gotten some good information out of this eleven part guide and that you'll trust us for more advice in the future. Read Also: 5 Reasons Why It’s Not Too Late To Get Help Is A Loved One Addicted To Opiates? Here Are Common Signs Of Opiate Use

Why Going To The Dentist Is A Must

Going to a dentist is rarely a fun way to spend your time. Starting from taking time off work and ending with keeping your mouth open for too long, the visit can be downright unpleasant. How important is going to the dentist anyway? Maybe biannual visits are overrated. Can you get away with visiting that doctor once a year or whenever a tooth bothers you? Unfortunately, skipping a dentist appointment can lead to unfortunate consequences. Let’s find out why. Why Going To The Dentist Is A Must: 1. Saving Your Teeth: The teeth are prone to a significant number of damaging factors throughout our lives. Starting from solid foods and ending with bad habits, such as smoking. Even if we take great care of our teeth, brushing, flossing, and washing them after each meal, tooth decay can start anyway whenever our immune system is weakened by a cold. Catching tooth decay at its early stages is possible only when you visit a dentist. According to the experts from Bajars & Bajars, a dental clinic in San Diego, when you see the black spots on the tooth or feel it aching, most likely it’s too late. You may have to go through an unpleasant procedure of a root canal. If you catch the problem early enough, you may end up getting a simple filling. 2. Enjoying A White Smile: How important is a perfect smile for you? White teeth are a sign of good health. They make you more attractive to others. And we aren’t just talking about romantic encounters. A white smile can help you get your dream job, get assistance from a passerby, get your point though, and much more. No matter how well you brush your teeth, you can’t get all the plaque out. During biannual dentist visits, your doctor removes the plaque, helping your teeth stay clean and white until the next appointment. 3. Checking Your Gums: Your oral health doesn’t stop with your teeth. Gums are prone to many diseases, which can lead to painful and costly manipulations. By checking your gums in a dentist’s chair on a regular basis, you are taking care of your health and getting peace of mind. Your mouth is constantly under attack by food and drinks. Small scratches and cuts can lead to unfortunate problems. A dentist can discover them early when the treatment is still quick and simple. 4. Getting Advice: A dentist can give you proper advice about gum and teeth care. More often than not, simply brushing and flossing your teeth is not enough to maintain excellent oral health. Each mouth needs a special approach, and the care techniques may change with time. By visiting a dentist once every 6 months, you can get the care advice, which is suitable for your mouth at the time. 5. Saving Money: By caring for your mouth timely, you save yourself from paying substantial amounts of money for tooth care. What starts with a minor cavity, which can be easily filled, can turn into a tooth extraction and implant. The longer you can keep your teeth intact, the more money you’ll save. 6. Maintaining Your Digestive Health: The condition of your teeth directly affects your digestive system. If for some reason, you can’t chew properly, you may be faced with numerous problems in the GI tract. Teeth infections caused by decay also influence the rest of your organism. By going to the dentist once every six months, you can prevent problems, which don’t even seem related to teeth. Going to a dentist is a must for anyone, who wants to save time and money while enjoying a great appearance and excellent health. Read Also: 5 Dental Hygiene Tips For A Healthier Smile 6 Ways To Relieve From Tooth Pain And Sensitivity Naturally

Marathon Training Section. Breaking Through the Wall

Prepare Your Body For The Race

Analyze Nutrition Matters

Drink More Often

Follow Proper Marathon Race Management

Use Head Games To Reach The Finish Line

Read More :

Yoga For Pregnant Women

The miraculous benefits of Aqua Yoga

Content Rally

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.

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5 Rowing Machine Workout Tips Every Fitness Person should know

Addiction Treatment: 11 Tips to Find the Best Rehabilitation Center

Why Going To The Dentist Is A Must

Marathon Training Section. Breaking Through the Wall

Prepare Your Body For The Race

Analyze Nutrition Matters

Drink More Often

Follow Proper Marathon Race Management

Use Head Games To Reach The Finish Line

Read More :

Share this Article

Yoga For Pregnant Women

The miraculous benefits of Aqua Yoga

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.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

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