Most runners know that hitting the wall (or bonking) is what happens when your body depletes all its glycogen stores. And most runners know how to avoid it. As a general rule, your body stores 2000 glycogen calories, and you burn 100 calories per mile. When your body depletes its glycogen stores, your body starts burning fat -- a highly inefficient way to make energy. That is why marathoners fear mile 20. (And why the 27-meter Heartbreak Hill -- between miles 20 and 21 at Boston -- inspires such terror.)
I always vaguely understood those technical details. But today, for the first time, I learned what hitting the wall really is. The weather was beautiful: 60 degrees and overcast. About 2 1/2 hours into the run, however, and 200 meters (truly) from my friend's car, I hit the wall. I could not take another step running (not that I was running terribly fast at that point). I had to walk. I had known for a few miles that I was empty, but I could still put one foot in front of the other. And then, all of a sudden, crash. I could almost see the finish line. But I could not run.
I am glad I now know the feeling, but what a terrible feeling. When did you last hit the wall?
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1 comment:
I remember it well - horrible feeling - and one to be avoided if at all possible.
And now you know!
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