Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Just Can't Get Enough!
8 weeks now until the running of my goal race in Nagano, April 17th, and yesterday I got out the DVD that was taken and kindly given to me by the organisers the last time I ran there. It was taken of me running at each 10K point and the finish of the 2007 Nagano Marathon.
The first thing I noticed was just how much heavier I was. Although my time wasn't bad, 3:20:56, I look like a Clydesdale and was badly foot striking at all stages except for the "sprint" finish.
Also I noticed how fit all the people running at my pace looked compared to me. I take this as I sign of some talent but really at that time I thought I was just as fit or fit enough. Interesting how time will change ones perspective on these things.
Anyway I figure if I could do 3:20: there in 2007 in that shape then it is possible to do much, much better now in 2011. But while this looks more than possible, I need to still get into better shape weight and body fat percentage wise before I can be confident of a PB there in April.
Yesterday I was also looking at the bios of some the elites that will be running in Tokyo this weekend and noticed that all of them, of around the same height, were 5 to 10 kgs lighter than me! Now I don't seriously think I could get down to their level with regards to weight, body percent ratios but I want to get down to 57kgs from my now 62kgs and reduce my BF% to under 10 from my now 15.3% (Can this be done safely in 8 weeks?).
I know I have weight to lose, I can grab a good handful of belly fat now and I still resemble a bit of a pregnant pup naked, in profile. Although I'm keen to fix this I'm going to have to watch that my increased mileage and reduced diet doesn't result in poorer training performance and increased risk of injury. Still, all the same, something has to be done!
I know that there are those that will say that if you train "right" the weight issue will take care of itself. Yet, it has always remained a problem for me and it is clear that unless I can get somewhere near to the elites on these measures I won't get anywhere near them on the measure that counts to me now, ie race times.
This time I'm not going to make the mistake of thinking that better training is all it takes to run better. I'm running very well at the moment, and believe I could run PBs but not if I continue to drink without limits on weekends and eat like every meal is my last! This is hard as, I believe, the thing that makes me/us good at running is our obsessive natures but it can also be the cause of our destruction when it comes to calorie control.
What are your thoughts?
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Have you thought about seeing a dietitian? It's so important to take in enough fuel so your training's not compromised but every extra kilo that you have to carry makes such a difference over a marathon.
ReplyDeleteNo Char but I do need help to get that balance right, as you said.
ReplyDelete5 kilos in 8 weeks? No. About 60 would be a good goal.
ReplyDelete57 would have to be a long-term goal, and even that would be difficult.
I also was at 62 and am now about 60. I can't imagine getting down to 57....59, maybe.
I don't think you can draw a direct comparison with the weight of elites of similar height as age and body shape surely make a difference. Losing 8% of you body weight in 8 weeks seems risky particularly as you already look on the light side of normal weight. What height are you?
ReplyDeleteYou say that you're running very well at the moment, so you're doning something right. Having said that, giving up the weekend binge drinking shouldn't impact negativly on performance.
I'm 1.696 m (5 ft 7 in)Grellan. With a small to medium frame.
ReplyDeleteI agree that my drinking won't really impact too much on my performance but I do hit it pretty hard!
Just don't like the fact that by Friday I'm down a few kilograms due to good habits but by Monday morning I'm back to where I started.
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ReplyDeleteScott, after my marrige split up I've been drinking a bit too much!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try and cut down from the start of March.
I read that drinking high quality beer is much better for you because cheaper beer contains more sugar!
I guess you could drink spirits- Vodka etc as its pure alcohol you won't put on any fat from drinking it.
weight lose, It's safe to lose 2 LB per week but no more.
Good luck.
Vodka! You reckon Rick? Sounds like a good idea ...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stDWNam7RtE
I've pondered the same quiet a few times. I do not want to diet because a) I do not want to diet and b) I do not want to risk it interfering with my training.
ReplyDeleteLast year I managed to loose a few pounds by cutting out junk for a few weeks. I'll do the same again the last few weeks before my marathon. No more chocolate, sweets and anything else sugary.
:] funny video Scott, just don't try running and drinking Vodka at the same time!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op1X3i10iC0
This is 'HOT' !!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hotforwords.com/
My thoughts are you need to talk to your wife about not getting enough.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are similar to Bob's. Aim to take off a few kgs, but don't starve yourself to drop 5. Cut out sugar (and foods with sugar in them), but with beer, try low carb and a 3-pack instead of a 6-pack Sunday nights.
On comparing yourself to others re weight, this is difficult. Some runners are 'light boned' (your typical Ethiopian), some are 'heavy boned' (me!). Some runners are 'muscular' (Deek and Wakihuri for example), some are not. I liked Deek, because he was about my weight, but he was also a good bit shorter, so maybe he was 'heavy' for an elite runner. Did OK though - 2:07:51 isn't too bad.