COGNITIVE ORIENTATIONS IN MARATHON RUNNING AND HITTING THE WALL

Objectives-To investigate whether runners' cognitions during a maratho n are related to ''hitting the wall''. To test a new and more comprehe nsive system for classifying cognition of marathon runners. Methods-No n-elite runners (n = 66) completed a questionnaire after finishing the 1996 London marathon. The runners were recruited through the charity SPARKS for whom they were raising money by running in the race. Result s-Most runners reported that during the race their thoughts were inter nally associative, with internally dissociative thoughts being the lea st prevalent. Runners who ''hit the wall'' used more internal dissocia tion than other runners, indicating that it is a hazardous strategy, p robably because sensory feedback is blocked. However, internal associa tion was related to an earlier onset of ''the wall'', suggesting that too much attention on physical symptoms may magnifiy them, thereby exa ggerating any discomfort. External dissociation was related to a later onset, probably because it may provide a degree of distraction but ke eps attention on the race. Conclusions-''Hitting the wall'' for recrea tional non-elite marathon runners is associated with their thought pat terns during the race. In particular, ''the wall'' is associated with internal dissociation.