TOW: New Research Reveals That If You Really Want That PR, You Have to Train Your Brain - Hard ---- By: Alex Hutchinson

This article, out of Runner's World Magazine, is about mental fatigue. Alex Hutchinson, the author, a runner himself, has gone through a series of exercises and training techniques to help prevent his brain from becoming so easily fatigued while running. "There's been a revolution in running science the last few years." (pg 72) Many people usually focus on the fatigue of muscles, heart, legs, etc., but this article focuses on the mental aspect of running. Studies show that "mental fatigue can negatively affect physical performance" (pg 73). The author, Alex, not only has gone through the tests himself, as explained in the article. As an original 1500 runner, Alex experiences mental fatigue in longer races such as the 5,000. He could not sustain the focus needed to keep a steady pace for that distance, therefore effecting is overall performance. He always knew he had more in him during the races too because at the end his finishes included too much energy he could have used during the race instead. Alex worked with one of the researchesrs mentioned, Samuele Marcora, who worked with him through exercises to challenge and work the brain to help resist fatigue. The article goes from explaining the effects of mental fatigue, to a problem-solving solution. Alex was trying to prepare for a marathon, so working with an expert on how to fix his mentality while running long distances was a must for a 26.2 mile race.  Although his muscles gave out by the end of his marathon, he ran more smoothly and consistantly through the middle miles than he had ever done before. His purpose, is to inform other runners that workouts and races don't always just involve the body. A lot of it has to do with the brain. Being a runner myself, I believe Hutchinson achieved his purpose. I learned alot about the way the mind works, and also can now take it into consideration that when I want to give up during a workout to keep going, because a lot of it is all in my brain. Alex Hutchinson was able to appeal to his audience mainly through pathos. By including himself and his personal expereinces within the article to reach a purpose, the idea was easily understood. Runners can connect to his personal experiences because most runners experience the same things. Even as Alex was explaining his muscle fatigue during his last miles of his marathon, I felt his pain. I could embrace the feeling of soreness by the end of the race, and how you just wish your legs could feel fresh. This article could be seen as a confidence booster, advice giver, and just a story to all runners out there in the world.