Every runner at some point encounters a “wall,” a term that vividly describes that moment in a run or race when everything around you seems to stop. This barrier is not only physical, but also deeply mental, where willpower comes to the forefront. In this article, we will look at specific mental strategies that experienced runners use to overcome this daunting barrier.
The first step to overcoming the wall is recognizing its presence and accepting that it is a natural part of endurance running. Elite athletes like Eliud Kipchoge, the world record holder in the marathon, often talk about respecting the distance and the challenges it brings, including the wall. This mindset prepares you for the struggle, making it less intimidating when it comes.
Visualization is a powerful tool in an athlete’s arsenal. Before your run, visualize not just the start and the stride but also hitting the wall and pushing past it. Picture yourself overcoming fatigue, pain, and doubt with strength and determination.
Many professional runners, including Deena Kastor, an American marathon record holder, practice visualization to mentally rehearse their success, which includes overcoming tough spots like the wall.
The dialogue you have with yourself during a run can build you up or break you down. Develop a habit of positive self-talk and have a set of mantras ready for when the going gets tough. Mantras like “Stronger with every step” or “Pain is temporary, pride is forever” can provide a much-needed mental boost.
Mo Farah, a multiple Olympic, World and European champion, often talks about the role of positive thinking and self-belief in his race strategies.
Instead of obsessing over the remaining miles or kilometers, break the remaining distance into smaller, more manageable segments. By focusing on reaching the next lamppost, tree, or end of the street before setting the next mini goal, you can make the task less insurmountable.
This kind of compartmentalization strategy is often used by ultramarathoners who repeatedly run into walls at extreme distances.
Overcoming a wall in running is equally a physical and mental endeavor.
By acknowledging the problem, using visualization, positive self-talk, staying present, breaking the task down and building on past successes, runners can arm themselves with a powerful mental kit to overcome the most difficult parts of their run. These strategies, endorsed and practiced by some of the world’s elite runners, emphasize that the essence of endurance sports is not just about physical fitness, but also mental toughness.