Marathon Training and Discussions

1

Help when hitting the wall (Read 25 times)

JFurniss


    I just completed my second marathon, but bonked really hard at mile 16. Was very disappointed because I had supposedly done everything right - including my 20 mile long runs, tapering, fueling properly, etc. What can I do to push through the wall? I am wondering if my mental game is not up to par. I have tried to disassociate from my run, I have tried to think hard about my form, breathing, etc, I have tried mantras - everything and still wind up doing the walk/run thing at mile 16 and higher. Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.

    Fredford66


    Waltons ThreadLord

      A little more information might help, especially about your preparation.  How many miles per week were you running?  What was your pace per mile for long training runs and what was your pace in the race?

       

      What was your fueling strategy during the race?

      5k 23:48.45 (3/22); 4M 31:26 (2/22); 5M 38:55 (11/23); 10k 49:24 (10/22); 
      10M 1:29:33 (2/24); Half 1:48:32 (10/22); Marathon 4:29:58 (11/23)

      Upcoming races: RunAPalooza (Asbury Park) HM, 4/6; Clinton Country Run 15k, 4/27

       

      JFurniss


        I closely followed an intermediate level I training plan, so was doing approx. 38 - 45 miles per week depending on the distance of that week's long run (longest being 20 miles, which I did twice). My race pace was to be 11:10 or so per mile (am a 55 year old male who has only been running appox. 2 years), so my long runs were done at about 12:10 per mile. Fueling on race day (and for long runs) has been an issue for me. Most of the commercial energy gels are too sweet for my tastes and upsets my stomach to a certain point. But, of course, I need to fuel so I took 4 Zoom energy chews (which I ate at regular intervals), one GU pack and just fueled the rest of the way with the Gatorade at the water stops. I figured the Gatorade would give me sugar, electrolytes, etc that would power me though.

        Fredford66


        Waltons ThreadLord

          Sounds like you've been doing things according to the conventional wisdom.  I'm hoping someone with more experience/insight will pick up on your question.

          5k 23:48.45 (3/22); 4M 31:26 (2/22); 5M 38:55 (11/23); 10k 49:24 (10/22); 
          10M 1:29:33 (2/24); Half 1:48:32 (10/22); Marathon 4:29:58 (11/23)

          Upcoming races: RunAPalooza (Asbury Park) HM, 4/6; Clinton Country Run 15k, 4/27

           

          Fredford66


          Waltons ThreadLord

            You might have more luck at this group/topic:

             

            https://www.runningahead.com/groups/MarathonRaceTraining/forum

            5k 23:48.45 (3/22); 4M 31:26 (2/22); 5M 38:55 (11/23); 10k 49:24 (10/22); 
            10M 1:29:33 (2/24); Half 1:48:32 (10/22); Marathon 4:29:58 (11/23)

            Upcoming races: RunAPalooza (Asbury Park) HM, 4/6; Clinton Country Run 15k, 4/27

             

            Bert-o


            I lost my rama

              Out of curiosity, what was the weather like during your marathon?

              3/17 - NYC Half

              4/28 - Big Sur Marathon  DNS

              6/29 - Forbidden Forest 30 Hour

              8/29 - A Race for the Ages - will be given 47 hours

              MarathonMind


                Sounds like you've covered most of the general 'Wall Hitting/Recovery' bases although you could possibly tweak your nutrition and find something that works better for you. My mom used to hit the wall without fail every ultra, until she started using a different nutrition product. Personally I prefer to eat real food during a long race to avoid the hectic dips those gels give me. Do you practice with visualizations pre-race? You could also try that - make sure your visualizations are rich in detail and that they include a scenario of you hitting the wall and then recovering from it.

                 

                Hopefully something will work for you, it really is an unpleasant experience especially after all the training has been done.