how much does weight relate to running ability?

Question

just wondering but does anyone know how much better of a runner weighing less can make you? i've lost weight and have improved a lot but i'm not sure how much of that is because of weight loss or training harder. thanks!

Answer 1

It depends on where the weight is located. Obviously running has a lot to do with how strong your legs are which requires big leg muscles, muscle weighs more than fat, fat is no good for speed. So person A: may be 6'2" 225 Pounds with 10% body fat and be lightning fast and Person B: may be 6'2" 210 pounds 15% body fat and slow. I am can beat probably 90% of people that are my height and less weight then my because I Have muscular legs and a thin upper body, so my weight is in the right place for running. Look at most world class sprinters they have muscular legs and smaller uptop!

Answer 2

Weight is extremely important. Fatties usually don't finish at the front. Believe me, I used to be one. Let me just paraphrase a couple of quotes from 2 great running books "Once a Runner" and "Running with the Buffaloes."

From the first- "The lean wolf leads the pack" and "Gaunt is beautiful." From the second, there is a quote from Mark Wetmore who coaches at the University of Colorado and is an agent for many runners as well. He discusses how being lean is underrated and that to be a great runner one should look like a "skeleton" with a human face. I've never seen or encountered a runner who was fat and fast.

Answer 3

It's walking or running. These are not only the oldest form of exercise, but among the most healthful. Here are just a few of their benefits: Running burns more calories in less time than almost any other continuous exercise. A regular running or walking program lowers your risk of life-threatening maladies such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Walking is a low-impact exercise that produces less stress on the knees and joints than many other activities do. Both walking and running produce endorphins, brain chemicals that make you feel happy and confident. Both are social activities—you can run or walk with a friend, your kids, or even strangers in a race. In terms of weight loss, running wins hands down. In general, you have to walk nearly an hour, to get a similar weight-loss benefit to a half hour run. "I started running when I was ten-years-old ... I was a skinny little kid who loved to run, it was only a matter of time before I started running marathons. I really love being able to just put on my shoes of a morning and then just go for a run, however far I want to go," says Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Kerryn McCann. We know walking delivers similar benefits, but for the sake of the argument, which will give you more? Intensity is the key here... We need to make the exercise a little more intense if we're going to get the benefits for our health. Because running is more intense, the general health benefits are higher. Within reason, more pain is more gain… Conclusion: Walker or runner, you'll get most benefit if you aim for thirty to sixty minutes a day. It doesn't have to be all at once — three or four fifteen minute blocks through the day is just as good. Now there's one last area in this argument, where walking has the clear edge: injury. There's going to be much less injury associated with a low impact exercise such as walking, and that's why we can advocate walking for a lot of people, especially if they're overweight or have a cardiovascular condition, they're still going to get a lot of benefits from a brisk walk. The impact of running on your joints can be more than three times your body weight, every step is triple the impact of walking. You have to train your body to get used to the jarring. Ultimately that's the message, for walking or running — find your level, then build up slowly and the benefits will come, in weight loss and general health. Set your goals, set them small and work towards achieving those goals and getting a little bit further every week. So there you have it... the old saying "you've got to walk before you run" is true. There are proven health benefits for both forms of exercise, but it's a matter of working out what's best for you. Remember, it's always a good idea to consult your doctor before you start any new exercise regime. But once you do, chances are you'll feel the benefits for years to come. Relax and (....\............../...) .\....\........... /... / ..\....\........../... / ...\..../´¯.|.¯`\../... .../... |....|....(¯ \ ..|.....|´¯.|´¯.| \...\ ..\......` ¯..¯ ´....• ...\_ .......... _.• Rock on!!!

Answer 4

Good for you, of course it will make you a better runner, your heart doesn't have to pump as much blood, you don't have to carry the extra weight on your legs, your lungs don't have to produce as much oxygen. All those benefits, I'd say that was a good trade off for the extra weight wouldn't you? Imagine if you had to carry a bad of flour around with you all day, how hard that would be, you can see what that weight did to you. Keep up the good work.

Answer 5

I really depends on how much weight is fat and how much is muscle. Its great that you've been losing weight, and it's definitely due to the fact that you have been working hard at this. No need to tell you what type of weight that was. If you continue to work on this, you will gain muscle mass, but that can only help. So just keep working on it =)

Answer 6

If you honestly want to know, fill a backpack with 20 pounds of stuff and to a time trial.
Do the same time trial with out the pack and compare results.

Someone carrying lots of extra mass (be it muscle or fat) can't run as fast, or as long as someone not carrying as much... There are, naturally, exceptions!

Easiest way to find-out is talk to a College/University or Olympic level track coach. :D (Or, a trainer).

Answer 7

weight only means something if it's fat.

185 pound healthy trained people run just as fast as 155 pound healthy trained people. Don't let anyone tell you different, just look at pro football players. all are 200+ pounds and they smoke us all in speed.

Also shown in track, 185 pound hurdlers run just as fast as smaller 100m runners

Answer 8

Typically you can shave up to 20 seconds for every pound lost for each mile run. if you continue to run, the strength and stamina of running will also help.

Answer 9

dont listen to most of these guys they dont know what theyre talking about. i know personnally that during my track season I put on more weight than any other season(I play football and bball and do track) I add about ten pounds during track and lose it the rest of the year, and i run up to ten seconds faster in the 800m

Answer 10

You run you loose weight you run better you loose more weight so you can run better so you loose more weight..... Hey you better slow down and eat a bag of chips before you shrivel up and blow away!