The Effects of Carbohydrate Depletion
Whether you have just finished your first ever marathon or you are used to the feeling of utter exhaustion at the end of a long run, you'll be all too familiar with that overwhelming sensation of heavy and unresponsive legs.
When you have reached the limit of what your body is capable of doing, it becomes almost impossible to keep running, for fear that you'll collapse into a heap and never be able to haul yourself back up again.
The reasons for this fatigue are varied, but a lack of carbohydrate in the blood and muscles are the main culprits. As your main fuel for movement starts to run out, the body tries desperately to find other sources of fuel to keep the legs moving , but it is just not as efficient as the expended carbs, and the symptoms of heavy legs, disorientation and dizziness become too much until eventually you have to stop running.................
However, in those athletes who have an iron will to reach the finish line no matter what, the words quit, carbohydrate depletion and maybe it's time to call it a day do not enter their vocabulary.
The video below is a prime example of how two athletes in the closing stages of an iron man, simply refuse to give up, despite the signs that maybe they should.
Ok, it does look pretty funny at times, but you've got to admire their guts and will of iron to reach that line before their rival.