Have you lost too much weight trying to get faster?

[KEW]

I'm actually a writer, looking for people who can speak to me about this for an article. I've been trying to improve my 10k and half marathon times, and I know that they say, "lighter = faster" (I've experienced this firsthand -my 10k time went from 59 minutes to 53 after losing a little over 10 lbs).

But I'm wondering if anyone has taken the getting lighter part too far? I've spoken with coaches and physiologists, but I'd love to hear about the experience from a runner's perspective.

If you have lost too much weight in an attempt to improve your race time, AND are comfortable talking about your experience, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks!

Kristin

(I hope I'm not breaking any forum rules with this! I've never done the forum thing before.)

[La]

Have you seen this documentary? "What It Takes" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905644/

Former Ironman Champion, Peter Reid, was borderline anorexic in his quest to get his racing weight down as low as possible.

[KEW]

Have you seen this documentary? "What It Takes" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905644/

Former Ironman Champion, Peter Reid, was borderline anorexic in his quest to get his racing weight down as low as possible.

I haven't, but I'll look into it -thanks!

K

[Jo-Jo]

I don't know how to link articles

But if you "google": rob asselstine anorexia Whig Standard you'll come across an article from my local paper (written in 2010) where Rob talks openly about his journey with anorexia.

I saw him at a race shortly after this article appeared and told him I really admired his being open about his struggle.

Rob went onto college in the US on a track scholarship.

[KEW]

[quote="Jo-Jo"]I don't know how to link articles

But if you "google": rob asselstine anorexia Whig Standard you'll come across an article from my local paper (written in 2010) where Rob talks openly about his journey with anorexia.

Found it! Thanks so much!! What courage.

K

[Joe Dwarf]

I don't know how to link articles

But if you "google": rob asselstine anorexia Whig Standard you'll come across an article from my local paper (written in 2010) where Rob talks openly about his journey with anorexia.

I saw him at a race shortly after this article appeared and told him I really admired his being open about his struggle.

Rob went onto college in the US on a track scholarship.

Here's the link

And Jo-Jo, here's the code you need to link something in future:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track]Here's the link[/url]

[Jwolf]

And Jo-Jo, here's the code you need to link something in future:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track]Here's the link[/url]

or even easier, just paste the link. The coding takes care of itself.

http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track

p.s. thanks for that link.

[turd ferguson]

And Jo-Jo, here's the code you need to link something in future:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track]Here's the link[/url]

or even easier, just paste the link. The coding takes care of itself.

http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track

p.s. thanks for that link.

Don't give JoJo too much technical information at once. She's still trying to get liquid paper off her monitor.

[Spirit Unleashed]

And Jo-Jo, here's the code you need to link something in future:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track]Here's the link[/url]

or even easier, just paste the link. The coding takes care of itself.

http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track

p.s. thanks for that link.

Don't give JoJo too much technical information at once. She's still trying to get liquid paper off her monitor.

[Stampie]

And Jo-Jo, here's the code you need to link something in future:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track]Here's the link[/url]

or even easier, just paste the link. The coding takes care of itself.

http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track

p.s. thanks for that link.

Don't give JoJo too much technical information at once. She's still trying to get liquid paper off her monitor.

They still make liquid paper?

[Jo-Jo]

And Jo-Jo, here's the code you need to link something in future:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track]Here's the link[/url]

or even easier, just paste the link. The coding takes care of itself.

http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track

p.s. thanks for that link.

Don't give JoJo too much technical information at once. She's still trying to get liquid paper off her monitor.

They still make liquid paper?

I'm taking these low blows as a sign...like Sally Field said..."You love me...you really love me"

Now all of you...get off my lawn!

[Spirit Unleashed]

And Jo-Jo, here's the code you need to link something in future:

Code: Select all

[url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track]Here's the link[/url]

or even easier, just paste the link. The coding takes care of itself.

http://www.thewhig.com/2010/07/17/athlete-back-on-track

p.s. thanks for that link.

Don't give JoJo too much technical information at once. She's still trying to get liquid paper off her monitor.

They still make liquid paper?

I'm taking these low blows as a sign...like Sally Field said..."You love me...you really love me"

Now all of you...get off my lawn!

I love you.

[turd ferguson]

I'm sorry for hijacking your thread KEW. The least I can do is contribute.

I did get too light once in search of speed. It was about 2003 and I was mostly bike racing at the time, but also running. I was going back and forth around 165 (I'm 6'0") and I could tell whenever I got below 165 because I started getting colds and sick, and above that I was pretty healthy. What ultimately tipped me back towards a better weight for me was my wife's revulsion for my appearance (she said it was "like f***ing a shopping bag filled with tinkertoys").

[Joe Dwarf]

What ultimately tipped me back towards a better weight for me was my wife's revulsion for my appearance (she said it was "like f***ing a shopping bag filled with tinkertoys").

I'm the same height as you and my wife hates it when I get even around 180.

[Jwolf]

Some wives like skinny runner-type bodies.

But you have to get pretty low before it becomes "too much weight".

[KEW]

I'm sorry for hijacking your thread KEW. The least I can do is contribute...What ultimately tipped me back towards a better weight for me was my wife's revulsion for my appearance (she said it was "like f***ing a shopping bag filled with tinkertoys").

I've been enjoying the hijacking! But thank you so much for your imput! Also, best quote ever.

[jonovision_man]

I'm lost too little weight trying to get faster - when is that article being written?

jono

[Double Bellybuster]

Here is a blog post that puts the weight loss must, hyped by running magazines when they are not publishing a spring, summer, fall or winter shoe guide, into perspective:

http://obligatorytriblog.blogspot.ca/20 ... -myth.html

[jonovision_man]

Better than the blog post is the comments section, LOL!

The scientific rigour in running/cycling/lifestyle magazines is generally piss poor, but I don't think one rather poorly written article negates the idea that carrying around extra weight (fat especially) slows a person down. Tricky part is figuring out what constitutes "extra" and how to lose it without compromising speed.

Fortunately I'm nowhere close to running out of "extra" weight to lose, so I can (try) to lose weight with impunity!

jono

[Double Bellybuster]

The scientific rigour in running/cycling/lifestyle magazines is generally piss poor, but I don't think one rather poorly written article negates the idea that carrying around extra weight (fat especially) slows a person down.

Agreed. Like Victoria the Blogger, I just hate the deliberate overstatement/exaggeration to sell a point.

The running magazines articles like this remind me of the redundant junk in capitals is just hyperbole that I find a waste:

- Doctor Bernstein's Commercials - "Lose twenty pounds. A MONTH. EVERY MONTH."

- Whenever Phil Simms (CBS NFL Colour Commentator) speaks - "CONTINUALLY REadjust" is an example of a term he uses when an adjustment is made by a coaching staff

[HCcD]

Well, I have proven the opposite to be true .. gotten slower by gaining weight ... Ha !!!

[jonovision_man]

The scientific rigour in running/cycling/lifestyle magazines is generally piss poor, but I don't think one rather poorly written article negates the idea that carrying around extra weight (fat especially) slows a person down.

Agreed. Like Victoria the Blogger, I just hate the deliberate overstatement/exaggeration to sell a point.

The running magazines articles like this remind me of the redundant junk in capitals is just hyperbole that I find a waste:

- Doctor Bernstein's Commercials - "Lose twenty pounds. A MONTH. EVERY MONTH."

- Whenever Phil Simms (CBS NFL Colour Commentator) speaks - "CONTINUALLY REadjust" is an example of a term he uses when an adjustment is made by a coaching staff

YES I AGREE. (see what I did there?)

I did actually fall for the original article's chart, not realizing a 5km study was being extrapolated to 1/2 and full marathons. Oops. Fortunately the only impact was I tried to lose weight and then I got faster (until I gained it back).

jono

[Jwolf]

Weight loss correlates directly with VO2max (since that's how VO2max is defined) so as your weight goes down, VO2max goes up. Speed doesn't always correlate with VO2max and short distance speed doesn't always correlate with long distance speed because other factors come in. But one thing is clear- all other things equal, extra weight slows you down. I know lots of people who have gotten faster when they lose weight, slower when they gain weight. It's not rocket science.

The question posed by KEW is not whether you get faster- but whether losing TOO much weight in the quest to get faster has led to an eating disorder. Yes, it can lead to serious problems when weight loss becomes an obsession and is excessive. This is pretty rare and isn't nearly the case with anyone in this thread- even those whose wives think they looked "too thin." We are so used to seeing overweight people that overweight looks normal and normal looks underweight. But how you want to look isn't necessarily the same weight as your optimal running weight.

[HCcD]

As commented above from others, my ideal performance weight (pre-injury) was about the 132lb threshold .. anything below that I would get colds, feel sick, etc ... and, my best measure would be comments by my mom ... ".. are you sick?" ... " ... have you lost weight ??" etc ... a lot better than a weight / scale ... Ha !!!! And, likewise, last year or so, when I was injured and reduced my running/training, had gained a few months, especially over the winter months, she would comment ... "... hey, you've gained a few pounds .. " ....

And, now, although, I have not weighed myself recently ... I know I am at least 5-6lbs heavier than pre-injury, and my race pace/speed is approx 10% slower across the board for all my distances ...

[purdy65]

Errr.. Andy - should add - you ain't getting any younger.... That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

I definitely have a set weight that my body is most comfortable at. I have actually been the same weight (give or take a couple of pounds) for the past 7 years.

There are so many variables - like age - that also factor in - I don't think I could possibly pinpoint a change in paces attributed solely to weight.

What of training? What of age? What of genetics?

No question at the beginning, if you are an overweight runner, you will get faster by losing weight. Period.

Is a 51 year old - on the tiny side - woman going to get faster by losing 2-3 pounds? Doubtful.