June 21

Wt. 205

 

Ate well over fathersday wknd. Nuf said.  I think my body needed some time off.  4 weeks should do it. Ran once last wk.  Ate lots of carbs. 

Monday weigh in (Week 8)

177.8 lbs (start 184.8 lbs)

 

Fueled for my tri over the weekend, enjoyed a few too many beers at yesterday's soccer match (go Philadelphia Union!).  Back on the horse this week, no big races for a month.

4/21 - 164

7/4 - 156.4

 

I 've been 156-157 for about a month now.  Why'd I have to set 155 as a goal?

 

All I did was cut out sugar and ate what I want.  My mileage has been down about 10mpw due to a new job and a lack of desire to run in the #@$# heat, but I'm still down 7 pounds.  I think/hope that I can figure a way to get that 10mpw back and drop a few more.  I can't wait for summer to end and try out my new, slimmer self in a race.

Weigh-In

July 21   (start April 19)
166 lbs.  (start 184 lbs.)
waist 37.5"  (start 42")
neck 15"  (start 15")
body fat  23.7% (start 31%)
fat lbs. 39.34  (start 57.04 lbs.)  loss=17.70 lbs. of lard
lean lbs. 126.66 (start 126.96)  loss=.30 ibs. of boof

Net weight loss= 18 lbs.

 

Lost 7 pounds in 2-3 weeks. Too fast. Some muscle loss.

4 week period of very high stress. Running and Eating were not of high priority.

Both weight and aerobic fitness affected.

 

The stress is diminishing.

 

--Jimmy

 

Weighed in tonight at (drum roll, please) 155.4 lbs.  It was probably a fluctuation but my goal was 155, so how cool is to see 155 on a scale?

 

This struck me as funny to see how this is a sport where being smaller and lighter is an advantage. 

 

When I was around 190 pounds, I did a lot of reading online and was disappointed to come accross something that said that any runner over 180 pounds would be considered a "heavy" runner.  They were referring to running shoes, and things like that with that reference.  They were implying that a "heavy" runner might consider a more cushioned shoe, etc. 

 

Well, I finally was able to get to about 178 pounds last year, and was thrilled.  And I have maintained it.  So, I can relate to your being so pleased.  So, now that I am 178 pounds (no longer over 180), I guess I am no longer a "heavy" runner anymore????   Just like they have age grading, they probably should have weight grading too, for us bigger runners.

 

I have to admit, when I read about others who are in this weight class or lighter, I am a bit envious.  It really makes a difference.  Especially some of the woman who are like a hundred and ten pounds.  Just a lot less weight on the joints.

 

Added:

Oh, and losing just that 10 pounds for me made a huge difference to my running.  I noticed it mostly running down hills.  I no longer felt like I was trying to control a runaway freight train going down the hill.   Instead, I felt lighter on my feet and able to run a much smoother, and under control stride down the hills.  I also found that the "gain of 2 seconds per mile per pound" applied to me.  I gained about a minute in my 5k time overall.

Weight has a huge impact. It's not just absolute weight though. I'm only 5'9'' and have a small frame, so 155 isn't really super thin. I once met Alan Webb and we're basically the same height. At the time, he was consider a heavy, muscular runner (he run 800/1500) and weighed about 145 I think. I weighed 138 my freshman year of college and while I have no illusions of ever getting there, that's probably about my ideal running weight. In fact, in a health class I took, my body fat% didn't even make it in the excellent category! I've heard (and this seems right to me) that the effect is roughly linear for small weight changes (this is fat loss only of course!). I.e., a 1% loss of body mass (in fat) will result in a 1% improvement in pace.

22 lbs?  Way to go Jimmy!