Mental deterioration at 18 miles

Last week I ran a 21 miler as my last long run before Sunday's Austin Motorola Marathon. I experienced pretty serious mental deterioration starting about 17-18 miles and it got worse as I ran to 21 miles. I had some radical and ridiculous thoughts but the worst was that I dont think I can make it to 21 miles. I felt as though I could pass out or die at any moment. Physically I felt O.K. Sure my knees, ankles, feet, etc. hurt but it was mainly my mind that caused me to think there was NO WAY I was going to finish that run. I now realize that this is probably the infamous 'wall' that I've read and heard so much about. As I stopped after completing the 21 my thoughts rather quickly returned to normal but it left me concerned about Sundays marathon which will be my first. I have run past 20 miles several times in my training and always experience this mental breakup (usually shortly after 17-18 miles) but last Tuesdays 21 miles was by far the worst. My wife and I are going for a 4:00 to 4:15 finish and we have been training under Dave Kuehls book; '4 Months To A 4 Hour Marathon.' So my question is what ways can I reduce the horrible mental condition that I experienced a little over a week ago? I think the hoopla of the race will help a bit but I want to hear your advice. Thanks!

Begin Quote So my question is what ways can I reduce the horrible mental condition that I experienced a little over a week ago? End Quote

It sounds like you were not physically ready for the distance and speed you were running. A little extra heat that day also would have help contribute to the problem.

Being able to train for a four hour marathon in four weeks makes same serious demands on your body. If you are young (no always based on birth date) and if you are in good overall condition to start with, you might be able to carry it off. But just determination can not overcome limitations our body places on us. Too much too fast can cause injury and it can also keep us from building all the structures in the body that it takes to do that four hour marathon. I know people who can train for just four months and do much better than four hours, I am however not one of them.

Other reasons would include an electrolyte problem. Too much or too little can cause some very interesting and scary results. This is only going to come into play on long runs.

I can remember my first 5K some years ago. By the time I got to the finish line I was having serious difficulty running into the finish gate. I saw it over to the left side and I was telling my body to go there, but my body kept going to the right. I got through and two large guys come up to me as I walked out and brought me over to the side and started giving me oxygen. Now I know when that starts to come on and I stop early. I have also stopped a couple of runners who I could tell were having the same problem in later races and suggested the walk it out to the end. I do this now after one I passed having a problem did not do as well as I did and ended up passing out right after I passed her.

The reasons are many, but be careful anything this may start. Don't try to run though it. Plan on a longer training period and if necessary, register for a race at a later date.

Good luck and healthy running.

Actually Ricky, I don't think that's the wall... To me, the wall is very much a physical condition... When I've hit it, my legs become leaden and even the simplest tasks become nearly impossible to do physically...

But, I do know exactly what you are talking about... The guys I train with have a name for it... They call it 'marathon stupor' and we joke about how we start feeling it at about 16 miles... I assume it may be a product of decreasing energy, but I really don't know... But it can take the form of little things, like inability to complete coherent sentences and thoughts, to more serious things like forgetting to look before crossing a street.

I ran a marathon last month in which my effective IQ must have dropped at least 50 points. I remember seeing the 21 mile marker and making the mental note to hit the split button on my watch as I crossed it... Despite the monumental concentration on this seemingly simply task, I was about 250 meters past the marker before I managed to hit the button! When I ate a banana at 22 miles, getting the peel off seemed roughly the same as trying to solve a calculus equation... Stuff like that. However, physically, I was fine... A bit tired, but my legs had plenty of zing in them, all the way to the end... I was just STUPID as a brick... It was like my focus was so narrow on putting one foot in front of the other that I couldn't think or process anything else.

But, within two minutes of finishing, I would say most of those 50 IQ points came right back... So I don't know what to tell you to do to counteract it... I'd say your best defense is to be prepared for it.

-Chazzer

Drink more water.

I had a similar, but perhaps unrelated problem a month or so ago. One day we had -60 wind chills, so I bundled up carefully before going out. I think the wind was something like 45 mph,a ns it was snoing. I had already decided to make it a short run, so I deviated from any of my normal courses.

About 2 miles into the run, it occurred to me that I was not sure where I had been, or how I had come to the spot I was in. I immediately returned home, a little scared by the whole incident. As soon as I was in the house, I felt very much normal, but I still cannot tell you my route for that day.

I don't know if it was the cold or what, but I believe I will not go out in those conditions again.

Brian

If I see you out there Ricky and I can identify you, I'll encourage you. I'll be running the second leg of the marathon relay.

Lack of glucose in the brain????

My first marathon was Chicago, three years ago. I honestly do not remember the last 8 miles. I ran them in something like a trance.

The best thing I can say is in the Austin marathon you should take frequent water breaks, and try to have some form of sugar with you, goo, a power bar, whatever works for you.

Bizarre story, but I can relate. For a few weeks now, my long runs have reached 26-27K (16-17miles) and I felt like that in the last couple of Ks (after 2hrs on the road). I don't recall this being the case when I began pushing past 1h00m or 1h30m even though I've hit the wall physically (for lack of fuel) once or twice. Hmmm...

I've NEVER run a marathon. But I've been mentally and physically exhausted. Three factors that help me get through it: 1) Establish in yourself a clear seperation from *you* and your mental deterioration: acknowledge brain, thank brain, but DON'T let it push you around. This above all: you're TOP dog. Negative thoughts are NOT you. 2) 'Pain is mandatory, suffering is optional.' This often eliminates all cognitive thought in me that is contradictory to my purpose. 3) Really really wanting something helps a lot. If you ever got held under water past the time you thought was possible, you know the kind of *want* I mean. Take some time to put this energy into yourself. It's proven to me to be a short-term solution (your brain will circumvent this after a week), and will leak away. I guess this is getting 'hyped'. But when I've wanted it like oxygen, I've run beautifully, way past weariness.

If you're familiar with glycolysis and respiration in the body: I find it very calming under times of physical duress to mentally see the process happening. Just a trick to help seperate you from the message you're getting (sore, tired, stop running you fool). I simply can't emphasize this point enough. People wear these thoughts like a heavy burden. Learn what is you and what isn't. That is without a doubt what got me into running - it helped me strip down to my innermost. I'm obviously just yapping now.

-SPT

'Running is the classical road to self-consciousness, self-awareness and self-reliance. Independence is the outstanding characteristic of the runner. He learns the harsh reality of his physical and mental limitations when he runs. He learns that personal commitment, sacrifice and determination are his only means to betterment. Runners only get promoted through self-conquest.'

Noel Carroll [as quoted by Noakes]

Thanks! I know there will be hundreds of people all around but I'll be wearing 'GO RICKY!' on my white singlet which will be over a grey long sleeve top considering the predicted cold temps. I'll also be side by side with Laura, my wife, and she'll have 'GO LAURA!' somewhere on her as well. I'll also have a red Jolt Cola cap on (my favorite drink!). I'm almost bald (by choice) and will probably have on black tights.

Thanks! Ricky