how can I stop getting tired at miles 17 or 18 of long runs and races?

"hit the wall as badly"

I would suggest running more mileage. Try to incorporate 2-3 doubles on your easy days, just 25 to 30 minutes in the mornings or afternoons, SLOWLY. 17-18 miles is over 25% of your weekly mileage, so it makes sense that you're starting to bonk by that point.

Maybe this is not your best event. This is true for the vast majority of world class long distance runners, let alone avid amateurs.

Maybe mileage increase and more optimum training will get you over the hump. Maybe it won't.

Are calories part of your problem? Sugar water really helps. A decent marathon by runner standards requires more and faster quick energy than you can pull out of your liver and other reserves.

only losers do this

give up

you obviously do not have the speed to run shorter distances, and you cannot run longer distances

Are you sure you have the fitness to run what you think is MP+ 15-30? What if you are actually running MP-15? Are you sure you have hydration and nutrition covered? Have you weighed yourself after long runs and calculated fluid intake to be sure you are hydrating enough? Are you eating a balanced diet, i.e. getting enough glycogen stored in your legs before long runs and races?

Questions above pointing to understanding your fitness + nutrition + hydration. A couple other suggestions:

1)run your workouts as progressive runs so you get mentally and physically accustomed to running faster when you're tired.

2)look into Canova's training methods --I'm not expert, but I believe he talks about training designed to run longer at same pace as you get more fit. That seems to be your problem

I had the same problem, smoked my last marathon.

Here's how I solved it. My longest run was 21 miles.

#1) Tempo runs.

#2) Fast finish long runs

#3) Long runs half easy, half at MP.

#4) Hilly long runs.

#5) Doubles & get that weekly mileage up to 60mpw at least.

Thanks all, some very good suggestions here.

When you get to mile 17, take a break, have a Kit Kat. When you are tired your body is telling you something so when you arrive at mile 17 stop at the nearest convienient store and bite into a Kit Kat!

Stop at 16 miles.

Sounds like a fueling issue. Are you a heavy sweater? Do you have a hard time taking in fluids and calories on long runs without getting sick? While it's possible you could figure this out, some people just aren't built for the marathon. Use those 60 mpw to run a fast 5k. People in the know will be more impressed.

Fat kids eat cake wrote:

Sounds like a fueling issue. Are you a heavy sweater? Do you have a hard time taking in fluids and calories on long runs without getting sick? While it's possible you could figure this out, some people just aren't built for the marathon. Use those 60 mpw to run a fast 5k. People in the know will be more impressed.

Yes, yes, yes. I tend to sweat a lot (not only when running but also walking in hot weather, in stressful situations, eating spicy food, etc. I often sweat as a very obese person would) and I do have trouble taking in gels in marathons - I tend to stick with gatorade. Usually if I take a gel it goes right through me and I need to stop at a port-a-john. If I could do 4-5 gels during a marathon I think I would be much better off.

Easy, stop running so dang far!!!! Have some chill and run a mile or something.

When you say tired what exactly do you experience?

How quickly does it happen?

Get fat enabled. Do fasted slow runs with no fuel. Only eat carbs late in the day.

Just got to train more miles and faster (do it smart and don't get injured). My first marathon I ran only one 20 miler before and bonked around 16 miles. Next marathon ran 2 20 milers bonked around 19.

I think the easiest way to not get tired at mile 17 or 18 of the marathon is to simply not run miles 17 or 18.

Stick to halves and your problem will be solved. Yes, you'll be screwed for the marathon but you already are screwed so this way you'll avoid yourself the discomfort.

If you can't win, quit. That's the mantra we all learned growing up right?

i just tried Boom gels and they taste so much better and are so much easier to swallow than anything else.

for me, i have to go out slower, otherwise i crash and burn

also i start taking sports drinks at mile 3 and take a gel every 6 miles

and i eat a bowl of cereal just before bed the night before a marathon or long run

iowakidscanrun wrote:

Are you sure you have the fitness to run what you think is MP+ 15-30? What if you are actually running MP-15? Are you sure you have hydration and nutrition covered? Have you weighed yourself after long runs and calculated fluid intake to be sure you are hydrating enough? Are you eating a balanced diet, i.e. getting enough glycogen stored in your legs before long runs and races?

Questions above pointing to understanding your fitness + nutrition + hydration. A couple other suggestions:

1)run your workouts as progressive runs so you get mentally and physically accustomed to running faster when you're tired.

2)look into Canova's training methods --I'm not expert, but I believe he talks about training designed to run longer at same pace as you get more fit. That seems to be your problem

My initial thought was your MP isn't your MP.

If you can't run MP+15 for those distances then you need to reevaluate what your true marathon pace is.

think about lifting - running is a muscular activity and when we are talking about muslces...stronger is better.

I've noticed a big payoff on long runs since I started lifting - I can hold form longer and feel much more solid and together when before I'd start sagging and losing it.

Quads. Make them stronger. Even body weight squats every day can help.