How thin is too thin for a runner? I know weight loss usually equals faster times but at what point does it become a bad thing? Whats too thin for a male thats 5'5 to 5'6?
How thin is too thin for a runner? I know weight loss usually equals faster times but at what point does it become a bad thing? Whats too thin for a male thats 5'5 to 5'6?
60 pounds would be an example of a weight that is too thin for a male that is 5'5'' to 5'6''
At 5'6" 114 pounds gives you a BMI of 18.4, which is considered medically underweight. 125 pounds is probably pretty safe.
There was a book a while ago by a famous coach, I can't remember his name but Frank Horwill was somehow related. Anyway, it said for the average male, you should take 115 pounds for the first 5 feet, then add 5 for every inch. But since distance runners are skinny usually the lowest you should be was 80% of that if you were a marathoner or straight 10k guy. But 80-90% was the range. So if you were 5'9 you should weigh 80-90% of 160, which would be 144 to 128 lbs. I think this was more for 5k and up.
When you feel weak, lose muscle, and run slower. Be smart, train right, eat real food and when you are hungry, and run fast.
Mr. Battery wrote:
There was a book a while ago by a famous coach, I can't remember his name but Frank Horwill was somehow related. Anyway, it said for the average male, you should take 115 pounds for the first 5 feet, then add 5 for every inch. But since distance runners are skinny usually the lowest you should be was 80% of that if you were a marathoner or straight 10k guy. But 80-90% was the range. So if you were 5'9 you should weigh 80-90% of 160, which would be 144 to 128 lbs. I think this was more for 5k and up.
There is no such thing as a straight 10 k guy. There are straight sprinter and basketball players. However, there are no straight 10k guys.