The Training Wall

Hitting a wall is usually something most people avoid. It doesn't matter if you're driving a car, riding a bike, running, walking or shadowboxing. Hitting a wall is bad.

Ok, so there's a scientific explanation on wikipedia that attempts to explain why runners 'hit the wall': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonk_%28condition%29

But I've hit a difference wall, really it's more of a rut. My training milage has stagnated. Trying to run longer miles has become more difficult. Not that I can't do it physically, but there's only so many hours in a day with some small fraction of them available for running.

My first Chicago marathon was back in 1999. I was undertrained, and it was cold. Just cold enough that your legs would freeze up if you slowed down for the aid stations. Getting back to a running pace was a gradual process. At mile 20 there was a large brick wall with a opening in the middle. A sign hung overhead "Run Through The Wall!". It was actually just off the street in an adjacent parking lot, so you had make an extra effort to physically run through the wall...but it was worth it.

But the best part about this experience is actually making it through the wall; mentally and physically. The success of running a marathon isn't determined on race day. It's determined every morning between now and October.

A Gatorade commercial sums it up best:

"You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the
sweat off of your face."

3 months and 15 days to Chicago Marathon 2007.

I'm a bit behind on my training, and a bit behind on my fundraising. But the fun is just beginning...

You think you're special? (aka Numerical Madness part 2)

In 1976, 25,000 people finished a marathon. Thirty years later there has been a 16-fold increase in the number of marathon finishers to 410,000 finishers in 2006.

Over the past 20 years the average marathon finish time has slowed by 45 minutes.

Lest you think the elitism of finishing a marathon is waning, just remember, less than 0.01% of the world’s population will finish a marathon this year with estimates of less than 0.1% of the world’s population have ever finished a marathon.

Of 2006 finishers:
52% of finishers were men
46% of finishers were women
2% were junior

Median age:
40 for men
35 for women

Median finish time:
4:15 for men
4:46 for women

Most finishers:
#1 ING New York City Marathon with 37,866
#2 Chicago Marathon with 37k+
#3 Flora London with 33k+
#4 Paris with 30k+
#5 Berlin with 30k+

Nike Women’s Marathon has the highest percent of women finishers at 94% (and the other 6%?)
Steamtown Marathon has the highest percent of male finishers at 69%.

For even more statistics, the complete article is here:

A look at marathons, by the numbers
By Diane Sherrer

How to perform a proper Farmer Blow

You've probably seen someone do it, or heard of someone that's tried it. Maybe even tried it yourself. Sometimes it's unavoidable. But there's a right way and wrong way. Dr Cameron Peterson tells us how.

http://www.trailrunnermag.com/article.php?id=22&start=Air&cat=5

Air Hanky
How to perform a proper Farmer Blow
By Cameron Peterson M.D

Definition: Strategically clearing the nasal passage without the use of tissues, sleeves or other wiping equipment.

The following steps, with practice, will take only seconds, can be done in stride, and will result in maximum airflow through the nasal passage, enhancing your running efficiency. An effective farmer blow will make you look like a pro, while a blow gone bad will make a mess of your face, clothes and reputation.

Ensure the area is clear of runners, hikers, pets and law-enforcement officials. A five-foot diameter is recommended. Take a deep breath.

In stride, as your right hand comes forward, place your index finger firmly against your right nostril, completely occluding the nasal passage. Simultaneously rotate your torso to the left, and lean over slightly, clearing the left shoulder from any nasal shrapnel. Close your mouth tightly, and raise the back of your tongue against the back of your hard palate to prevent air escaping. Failing to do so will cause a decrease in pressure behind the mucous in the nasal passage, which may result in the disastrous half-farmer blow. With maximum effort, rapidly and forcefully exhale out your left nostril. This will clear the majority of obstruction whether it is thick, thin or any viscosity between.

A small post-blow wipe may be necessary, but with proper technique, the amount of dribbling discharge will be minimal. For clearance of the right nasal passage, repeat the above steps replacing lefts for rights and vice versa. You'll know if you screw up.

Cameron Peterson M.D. is an intern at the University of Utah and manages www.mountaintrials.com, a new website where runners can post their times to some non-technical summits throughout the U.S.

This article appeared in Trail Runner magazine, issue #35 (SEPTEMBER 2005).