I run my eight marathon tomorrow. I want to improve my personal record on five minutes. I already wanted to improve it on my last marathon and I was not able to do it. It is easy: I must run each kilometer in 5 minutes and 20 seconds. My training pace is under 5′/km. My pace in the latest 10 km race was under 4’30″/km. My personal record in a half marathon is 1h43′. According to these numbers, training tables and tests, I can do it.
So, what is the problem then? I have to maintain that race pace during 42 kilometers and 195 meters (or 26.2 miles). The initial 10 kilometers are easy. I run between 10 and 14 kilometers in each training at least. Even the first half marathon is easy. The main problem arises around the 30-34, the glycogen starts to run low and your body does not obey your brain. We call it the wall. You try to control that moment, you have an arsenal of things that you can apply, but you never are really ready for it. I have seen Paula Radcliffe cried like a child in the wall. Moreover, your brain starts to generate all kind of negative thoughts and you perceive pain in almost all your body. Your brain is lying to you (or not?).
The shoes, watch and the rest of the equipment is ready. I have also decided where to take the glucose gels. And the most important, we have decided the points in which my girlfriend and me will meet: each one of her smiles during the race refuels my deposits for several kilometers more.
All kind of positive thoughts are welcomed. I will need them.
Good luck!
Thank you, Mike!
Wishing you fast feet and a quick recovery!
Thank you very much!
GOOOOOOOD LUUUUUCK, Nuno!!!
(By the way I’m seriously impressed ’cause I suck at running! lol)
Running is like drawing and many other things. A marathon is a serious race and it isn’t the best for the body but some kilometers to a low race pace is good. And walking is even better.
btw, there were lots of French people this year!
Thank you very much, Cha!
Good luck!
Thank you so much!
The best of luck to you, Nuno! I’ll be rooting for you!. I know you’ll do great! I like that drawing too!
xo
Many, many thanks, Deb! We were selecting some photos for the post where I will say the result but I want to thank each one of your comments. They help a lot!
Keerist. I don’t even drive that far.
When the negative thoughts appeared, I though of you and your wonderful and ingenious sentences. Smiling is one of the ways to avoid those thoughts. Thank you very much, Carl.
That’s great. It is that “wall” right that runners face ?
Good luck
Thank you very much, Rasha!
Good luck Nuno!
Many thanks, Hanneke!
Go!
Thank you, Elena!
Good luck, you are prepared and have the right attitude – you will do it this time!!
Thank you very much! I thought of this comment, too. The attitude in this kind of races is even more important than your legs.
Very true and it obviously worked – congrats!!
Mucha suerte y que lo disfrutes!!!!.
Fuerte abrazo
¡Este comentario sí que no me lo esperaba! ¡Muchas gracias! A esa hora todavía me quedaba un ratillo de sufrimiento aunque… no quiero adelantar nada que si no me quedo sin post.
Me duelen un poco los dedos de los pies aunque lo peor ha sido arrancarme las tiritas y el esparadrapo que me protegía de las rozaduras en los pezones. ¡Vi las estrellas!
Un abrazo.
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Congratulations!! It’s really hard to run a marathon.
I’m sure that your girlfriend have a smile in her face
Thank you, Ariel! She always helps and did a great job this year.