Obese ultra runners exist

I need answers wrote:

Not calling any names. I was scrolling the Instagram and came across an obese ultra marathon runner. She was pretty big. More like a discus thrower than a runner. But not like a complete lazy blob. Anyway, she has multiple sponsors and has a massive following, so she must be legit, right?

Even the shortest ultra race of 50K has to consume 4-5000 calories for someone her size. Plus whatever training she does per week so stay in shape. How can you still be obese if you’re a competitive ultra runner?

Are these people eating 2 pizzas after a race? Because even if you ate that much, you’d feel like garbage and it must be difficult to train after eating so much food.

I’m being serious. Are these people legit competitors or is it a marketing ploy by their sponsors?

I think I know who you are talking about.

She is not an ultraRUNNER. 50k in 10-11 hours is walking.

She is usually also dead last so I would not call that competitive.

I think this is a marketing ploy by herself. That's all.

nearly all ultrarunners are powerwalkers anyway

my guess is we are talking about "mv"

to go all matt london here, her carrying all that weight that far is actually a physical feat more impressive than a skinny person finishing in 1/3 of the time IMO.

flvmmox wrote:

nearly all ultrarunners are powerwalkers anyway

my guess is we are talking about "mv"

to go all matt london here, her carrying all that weight that far is actually a physical feat more impressive than a skinny person finishing in 1/3 of the time IMO.

I agree. I have some friends that do 5-6 hour marathons. I just wouldn’t be able to stay focused that long. I’d probably bail and go to the pub. Now if I was double my weight or more, no way I’d be motivated to even run a 5k, let alone a 50k.

also the person i'm referring to's sponsors are legit. remember that sponsors aren't to reward fast people, but to sell product

inclusivity pays the bills

One does not need to train to walk 31 miles in half a day.

you're right, but someone that large does

All this tells you is that weight loss has more to do with diet then exercise.

I need answers wrote:

Even the shortest ultra race of 50K has to consume 4-5000 calories for someone her size. Plus whatever training she does per week so stay in shape. How can you still be obese if you’re a competitive ultra runner?

I once ran a 100k Ultra without any calories, just water (just to see). Granted I was slower than usual, but it proves we carry enough calories in fat storage and I'm only like < 10% body fat.

She is obese because she is consuming tons of sugar in and out of races obviously.

lookism wrote:

One does not need to train to walk 31 miles in half a day.

But, but, but ... we are supposed to worship a guy that "ran" 38 miles per day across America with a four-man support team. I don't understand. Do those extra 7 miles make all the difference?

Does she have a shoe sponsor? Because a shoe that can help an overweight person move that much in a day is pretty impressive.

transconism wrote:

But, but, but ... we are supposed to worship a guy that "ran" 38 miles per day across America with a four-man support team. I don't understand. Do those extra 7 miles make all the difference?

Nobody said you are supposed to worship a guy that averaged 38 miles a day in a Trans Con.

And it's not just 7 miles more. It's all the Trans Con miles - 31 miles from the 50k more. That's a LOT more. So hell ya, maybe you should worship the guy!

I feel like I've said this before....

You have to be thin to run....

....you don't get thin by running.

Alan

It's good for the sport. I think ultra Running is more "come as you are"

I ran 31 road miles twice, both times, I thought it was stupid. I watched some brice canyon 100 mile run dnf video on YouTube. Guy was pretty hard on himself. I don't think it's reasonable that most people would finish 100 miler, even if they trained hard and consistency for it. You really need to have a good day.

If she was really training she'd drop weight, but maybe lose the sponsors.