The Spectator Strategy

Many marathoners and long-distance runners know what it means to “hit the wall.” One minute, they’re running with sustained energy and speed, and the next, they feel immense fatigue and have to stop or maybe even drop out of the race. Researchers have discovered that the brain starts to dip in dopamine at certain points in the race, and there is a literal dip in motivation, excitement, and drive to continue. In order to combat this dip, many athletes have implemented the “spectator strategy,”...