Is there any benefit to being 5 lbs lighter for Marathon (Read 740 times)

I think it would definitely be better; less weight to carry around and better muscle to fat ratio. The problem is how to get it off. If you could use magic that would be ideal. Dieting while ramping up mileage in your training could get iffy. Avoid anemia, vitamin deficiency and give your body the fuel it needs, but hey cut out the empty calories by all means. (gasp, even beer!)

I go pretty much with what the others have said. Lighter is better if you can take it off gradually. However, you defintiely do not want to starve yourself before a marthon.

I'm not overweight by any stretch, could always be 5 lbs lighter or so. I was thinking that it would help some small amount to try and get rid of that stubborn 5 before the marathon. Physically, I don't think it has any real performance merit except that I have 5 less lbs to carry. Silly idea? Sam

Using your current 5K PR, and the stats listed in your profile, Daniel's would predict a drop from a 4:40 marathon to a 4:31 simply by losing 5 pounds, all other things being equal. Its just a prediction, and your experiences may vary, but weight does have a significant influence on times when looking at a race as long as a marathon. There's a reason why elite athletes suffer through races in super-light racing flats ... even those few ounces saved add up. But as warned above, if you lose the weight at the expense of muscle mass, quality training, excess fatigue, dehydration, etc., then you will not experience the benefits.

(gasp, even beer!)

This. Is. Crazy. Talk.

thanks for the advice. I can certainly elimate some of the less healthy choice I make for the next 7 weeks if it will male it even a smidge easier to cross that marathon finish line!