Heavyweight runner

Steve Way had 107 kg and wanted to run fast marathons. What he did? He lost weight. Improved his time from pedestrian 3:07 as 100+kg guy to 2:15. Anything is possible if you try enough.

Obviously you are less talented than him, but if you are a slow 4:00 marathoner at 110 kg, maybe you would be a 2:40 marathoner at 70kg.

Thanks I look him up!

Yeah, thats the thing though I wont ever be 70kg :( when i was 20 i went to nepal and did a 20 day trek at altitude, I was already fit when i started by the end i was the skinniest i have ever been, i mean looked like a POW, count all my ribs and tiny little chicken arms. i was 92 kg. I have gotten broader since then. To loose that weight I would have to go on an extreme calorie restricted diet which im not heaps keen on the idea of. Like I said pace isnt really a concern for me. I just want to get it done and looking for any advice from people that might be in a similar weight category.

In 2007, I was 350 pounds, I started with kickboxing, weights, and walk/running. Since then, I’ve dropped to 175 pounds and run marathons, currently trying to break 4 hours. It takes time and miles. It isn’t always a straight line, but with determination, some weight loss, and a lot of training, you can do it, too.

Have you considered switching to an event you would have much, mich more success in? Muscular yet fit dudes tend to do very well in distances 5k and below, especially the sprints.

I don't see any reason why you should not be able to finish a marathon. It sounds to me as though you are in decent shape. Maybe you need to build up your endurance more before your next go at it. I would also pay closer attention to your hydration and fueling before and during the race. I am not as heavy as you (I am closer to 200 lb) but I am a very heavy sweater and find that I need to stay very will hydrated (with both water and sports drinks) on longer runs and marathons. If I don't hydrate well, I tend to fade and die after about 20-25 km. In my last marathon, I hydrated much more effectively and did not begin to slow down until the last 2 km but was able to push through for a great finish.

6'4"

Formerly 275lb football player

Later 275lb fat new dad

Currently 200 even, which is the least I have weighed since I was a junior in high school.

P90X was my spark. Got from 275 to 220ish with lots of muscle before I started running. Now, I run almost exclusively - a few tris - but rarely get under 200lbs. I am big-boned like you, and just carry a lot of mass, esp muscle mass in my legs. First half was 1:55ish; now I am down to the low 1:30s. First full was 3:55ish, and I have gotten that down to the low 3:20s. All that to say, you and I are built a lot alike, although you may be an even more extreme case than I am. So, a few thoughts:

1. Kudos on picking a sport that you aren't necessarily designed for. There aren't a ton of ways for us bigger guys to fuel that competitive edge in adult life - not interested in losing any teeth playing rugby - so stick with it, and only compete against yourself (and the other Clydesdales)

2. Run more. Run hills. Run doubles. Run more hills. Hills affect big folks more; learn to love them. Even at my size, I regularly run 55-70mpw (I worked my way up gradually!). Your body WILL adapt, and most people can improve their aerobic fitness to a much greater degree than they can improve, say, their vertical jump.

3. Sounds like you know a thing or two about nutrition. The Paleo Diet for Athletes is a great resource. Carb-restricted diets may or may not be THE way to go, but 1. high fat, fiber, & protein will keep you feeling fuller and eating fewer calories without feeling hungry, and 2. if you will be running a 4 hour marathon (you didn't specify a time), your body WILL switch from burning carbs to burning fat mid race, so the more carb-restricted running you can do, the better.

4. I strongly recommend Jack Daniels' Running Formula (that is a book, not a drink). Read the book and understand the principles; do NOT just flip to the back and start figuring out a workout plan.

I hope some of that helps. All the best :-)

ice-breaker wrote:

I don't see any reason why you should not be able to finish a marathon. It sounds to me as though you are in decent shape. Maybe you need to build up your endurance more before your next go at it. I would also pay closer attention to your hydration and fueling before and during the race. I am not as heavy as you (I am closer to 200 lb) but I am a very heavy sweater and find that I need to stay very will hydrated (with both water and sports drinks) on longer runs and marathons. If I don't hydrate well, I tend to fade and die after about 20-25 km. In my last marathon, I hydrated much more effectively and did not begin to slow down until the last 2 km but was able to push through for a great finish.

This.

+salt capsule for runners, so not just simple kitchen salt. Maybe every hour on a run, even during training.

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I hold the world record in the 400m bodyweights over 225

my training is unprecedented. i know what all those crossfit twinks don't

Dathan Ritzenhein has severe cramping issues when he runs marathons. It is not necessarily an issue that is related to size/weight.

For a new runner, it could very well be that you were just not ready to cover the distance. It is fairly common for under trained runners to cramp up badly in their first race around 15-17 mi (25k-30k). I am about 140 lbs and had a similar experience in my first marathon. I got injured and missed 6 weeks of training. I recovered and was able to get in about 2 weeks of decent running before the marathon. I went out faster than what I had trained for and crashed super hard. I could barely walk the next day.

If you have the same issues after getting in some better training, it will be time to look at whether you are losing your electrolytes too quickly. If you are a heavy sweater, you should work with a dietitian on race day fueling/supplements that can help you avoid cramping. Some people just sweat very hard. There are NFL player who drink pickle juice and eat salted ham before games to keep from cramping.

My advice is I don't think you should lose weight if you are really fit, you feel healthy and you enjoy your life.

I hope you enjoy your running too.