03/11/2023
Runners refer to the 18-20 mile mark as ‘the wall’.
It’s the point they’re out of energy and their legs just won’t carry them any further (without significantly dropping their pace).
I hit it hard in my first two marathons.
The first one at mile 18.
Mile 20 in the second.
Third time around, I managed to hold my pace the whole race.
What made the difference?
- Proper preparation
- Experience
- Tried and tested fuelling strategy
Ask yourself these questions with regards to your own goals:
1. Am I even at the wall yet?
Us humans are impatient and want results faster than my Staffy will chew through a tennis ball.
Oftentimes we chuck it before we’re anywhere near the wall, which is just a damn shame.
2a) Is it because you haven’t done enough?
I totally underestimated my first marathon.
Figured I was fit enough to run it on 8-weeks notice with no running training.
The humble pie it served up didn’t taste pleasant.
Is it the same with you…
Too big a gap between effort required and effort put in?
2b) Is it because you don’t have the knowledge/understanding to achieve the goal?
I hired a running coach for my second marathon.
I acknowledged that I didn’t know enough to achieve my goal and so enlisted the help of someone who could help me.
That decision, and the accountability it brought, helped me take 45-mins off my time.
2c) Is it because what you’re eating and drinking aren’t aligned with what you’re trying to achieve?
I started training for a marathon so I could eat what I want and not have to worry about my waistline creeping up.
Third time around, I knew I couldn’t wing it anymore.
I dialled down my diet, reduced my body fat, increased my muscle mass (difficult under the circumstances but not impossible) and ensured I was in peak condition.
Would it help if you did the same?
