Where's Your Head At?

Fitness

We talk to Vanda Caulfield from We RunĀ – the UK’s largest network of running coaches, offering 1-2-1 running coaching, expert running analysis, and corporate and charity coaching –Ā about what is going onĀ inside our heads at different stages of a marathon.

From pre race jitters and the runner’s high to that inevitable anti-climax. HerĀ advice for the finish line? Book a massage, catch up with friends, and most definitely sign up toĀ another race…

1 – 10 miles
You’re feeling euphoric, filled withĀ adrenaline, energy, hope, camaraderie and excitement. The crowd spurs you on. Body and mind are in sync with each other.

11 – 15 miles
Excitement starts toĀ kick in “this could be a good one”. Then the mind sends out its first warning. There is still a long way to go! Start using visualisation tools at this point to comfort yourself. “This isĀ how I expected to feel at this point”.

16 – 21 miles
You’reĀ likely to go through a few bad spells as boredom and tiredness kick in. Glycogen store depletes. You’re lacking in water, posture starts to fail and youĀ take in less oxygen. CorrectĀ your running form. Try toĀ detach yourself fromĀ the surroundings and listen to music. Do a mental check on the body. Try to relax and concentrate. Be in the moment with the breath.

22 – 26 miles
The body is tired. Levels of glucose in the bloodstream start to drop and the stores of carbohydrate energy in the body are almost depleted. YourĀ mind is now in full flow. “Keep going, I am strong” chants in your head. Counting, singing, breathing, listening to one more song to take your mind off which part of theĀ bodyĀ hurts the most! Mile 26. Nothing else matters. You know you will make it and it’s going to be a good one!

Post marathon:
You have achieved your dream and feel euphoric postĀ marathon. This feeling lasts while you are still in the group of 40, 000 plus runners you shared it with. Alone the next day you feel pretty flat as the enormity of the impact on your body registers.

Feeling low is part of the self-preservation. Our bodies can’t sustain the heightened level of excitement for infinity – we need to recover. For me, I wouldn’t give up the amazing high I get at the end of a great achievement just to avoid suffering what feels like a low when your body comes back to its natural state.

My bestĀ advice is to expect this feeling to help you cope better. Book a massage, catch up with friends, and most definitely sign up to another race!

VisitĀ We Run forĀ running training plans and servicesĀ 

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