What is a runner/non-runner type? I struggle with this because people use weight and BMI and appearance to judge, but it is not accurate, in many ways. I have described this before...I am 5'8" 171 with a 34 inch waist and 39.5 inch hips. I appear stocky because of this. It surprises me even when I look at more slender runners that I can beat them in a 5K, not once, but several times. Conversely, I have seen people with stockier frames beat me. I hate that runners judge people's bodies so much because when push comes to shove, it only matters what the clock says. I hate the overdeveloped sense of entitlement that runners place on a look. Someone may be an ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph and a lot of you forget that. I mean, lets be honest. They are crossing the finish line too, like you are. If you are not in the top 3, and therefore, cashing, then you, too, are an also ran...like they are. So stop:)
Precious Roy wrote:
You can get away with a non-runner body type at ultras. A guy in my area has done all the big ultras (Leadville, Western States, Badwater, etc.). He is about 5' 10" and 190 lbs. He can run a 5k in 21 min on his best day. But he can power through ultra races and is competitive in ultras with runners who would be 1 hr faster at a marathon. If well trained, having a heavier frame and more muscle can help you power through all the repetitive stress of doing 100 mi races.