Running, Weight

[MidwayManiac]

Temperature, elevation, course design, age, weight, VO2 max, diet, training regimen, ….

On this list of running variables that affect your race speed, I regarded weight as pretty far down in the pecking order. Until recently. And when I say weight I mean a slight difference (within 8 or less pounds) not a difference of something like 25 pounds which will obviously affect your race speed.

A friend of mine just oozes knowledge on fitness and running. He’s been training longer than I’ve been alive. He’s like an elder statesman of training. A sage. But he’s not preachy. I have to pick his brain for ideas, gotta nearly pry it outta him. Talking to him recently, I guessed out loud that my race times are slightly slower than 2 years ago (when I set all my PR’s) because I’m 6 or 7 pounds heavier now. I didn’t really believe the theory I was throwing out there but was grasping for any explanation other than age. Matter-or-factly he confirmed that, in fact, each pound (regardless if the number of pounds is slight or large) is worth time. He directed me to this site which calculates, based on your speed and race length, how much time each pound is worth. For me the calculator determined a speed difference of:

5K: 7 seconds per pound
8K: 10 seconds per pound
10K: 13 seconds per pound
marathon: 30 seconds per pound

So there it is. If I want to get back in PR form I have to do more than train hard and eat reasonably well which is my current M.O.; I have to train hard and get back to counting calories and shed about 7 pounds. Ugh. Not what I wanted to hear.
Here’s the calculator. Hope you find it helpful.

[tappenfeat]

This is very interesting!!! I need to get back to the track...the only thing is when the High Schoolers do their training, I feel so out of shape as they fly around me. GEEZ!

The public is allowed to stay on track 7 and 8, out of their way. And, boy do I stay out of their way!!! Uggg!!! I'm missing nice weather and NEED to get back out there!!!

So, your post makes sense to me...as I jog, my knees remind me (hey, you are no teenager anymore!) j

As a teen, I could just get up and go and not even think of any joints or pain. The young body is a gift. I tell ya!

[fairestoneofall]

I totally feel slower when I gain even 3-5 pounds.

[stan4d_steph]

So there it is. If I want to get back in PR form I have to do more than train hard and eat reasonably well which is my current M.O.; I have to train hard and get back to counting calories and shed about 7 pounds. Ugh. Not what I wanted to hear.
Here’s the calculator. Hope you find it helpful.

Thanks for sharing, MidwayManiac. I have read articles in Runner's World that talk about this, and it makes sense. For me, it's the balance of wanting a PR versus the struggle to get weight down. Is it enough of a tradeoff, and what is the focus of my running? Good luck with your weight loss!

[MidwayManiac]

Good luck with your weight loss!

Wait I didnt say I was gonna actually do it (tee hee).
But seriously, when I posted before I was contemplating it.

For me, it's the balance of wanting a PR versus the struggle to get weight down. Is it enough of a tradeoff, and what is the focus of my running?

This. Completely this. Ive had time to reflect, and am leaning more toward not doing it (it being a strict diet). For what? So that the one day a month I race I can bask in being 3 minutes faster in the marathon . 78 seconds faster in the 10K.

No thanks, hardly worth it. Maybe Id do it if there was some other motive for weight loss but thing is I dont need to lose weight. Happy w/ the way clothes fit, BMI is low, standing heart rate, blood pressure, all good. Strength, endurance, agility: good as ever. And I eat what/when I want within reason.

Youre right, it is a tradeoff. Right now for me, the price to pay to get that PR is not a compelling trade. As much as I hate to admit it.