Run-Down Forums

[Guest]

I have just run my second Marathon. This year at about mile 22 and last year at about mile 20 I got hit with total lock up of quad and calf muscles. The remaining miles were agony and I finished with a crawl.

What can I do not to dehydrate for those last few miles. I sweat a lot and it seems like I cannot get past those last few miles. My time have been 4:37 and 4:24. I know that if I held up my 9 minute miles I could finish under 4 hours. By the way this year I drank 3-4 oz of Gatorade at every mile stop.

[Dan]

That's about the point that most people hit the wall, so it's probably as much physiological as anything. The best way to get through that sort of thing is to simulate it as much as possible in your regular training, i.e. train at or near the distance and intensity that you plan to race. Of course, if you feel you are dehydrating, pump more fluids in until you feel you are pushing the over-hydration levels. Water is better than sports drinks most of the time.

Dan