Listen to “S02E37: Overcoming the Wall” on Spreaker.
Have you ever encountered the wall? Have you ever bumped into it? Of course, we are not talking about a physical wall but the one that is located in marathons from the 30th km onward. It’s a limitation that almost inevitably endurance racers end up encountering: it’s that moment when you go into blackout and the systems that make you run and express power seem to shut down at the same time.
It is a metaphorical wall that, however, like real walls, blocks and divides: in this case, it divides you from the finish line. While it is not objective, it is real in the sense that you perceive it as such: it is a suddenly insurmountable limit, even as you hit it when everything in you has shut down. The legs have stopped turning, fatigue has taken over, the mind is no longer clear.
Let’s make it clear right away that this is not a mental limit, or rather: before that it is a physical limit, in the sense that it is related to how your body reacts to the effort. We have already told you how important training the mind as well as the physique is for any kind of race, but in this case the mind can do little because it does not have to convince the body to continue: how else could it have a grip on a system that has shut down?
How to never get there (or avoid it as much as possible)
Since this is primarily a physical problem, the good news is that it can be controlled and avoided with wise preparation. The two main causes can be summarized in two broad categories: overestimation or underestimation of effort. You overtrained and arrived very tired, for example. Or you underestimated how important preparation was and tackled it without being ready. Or again: you thought a few extra pounds wouldn’t make all that much difference, neglecting that moving it more than 42 kilometers might cause some problems.
The good news is that you can avoid or minimize the chances of bumping into them. By following not only these tips but also all the others we give you in this installment!
One final clarification: you will find this episode a little different than usual. In fact, we recorded it during Fuorisoglia Live. This is an experiment that will be repeated: along with the content that we have accustomed you to every now and then there is also interaction with the audience who, in the meantime commented, while in effect witnessing a recording of Fuorisoglia, so you can also find out how we do it :)
In short: let us know what you think!
Have you sent your Lovers Mail yet?
In recent weeks we launched the second season of Lovers Mail. Participate and tell your story in our Outlaw podcast-just write it down and send it to info@runlovers.it.
It is so easy and once a month we will collect the best ones and read and comment on them during a special episode. We are not interested in the chronicles of the races but in the flow of thoughts and reflections that accompany us when, one step after another, we run.
What are you waiting for to send it to us?
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It is perfect listening for any time: while running, traveling, relaxing, stretching, or during a romantic runner’s dinner. ;)
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