Can a former big guy run fast?
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simonatc posted 1 year ago.
I forgot to add that i have no distance running background. No formal training at all, so that may be the answer.
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mdd posted 1 year ago.
Weight doesn't matter that much in my opinion in the situation you are talking about. There is NO reason someone weighing in at 185 can not run 6:04 instead of 7:04 assuming you are in shape, etc. Now I think weight could become a limiter if you are looking to run 5:04 but VERY few AGers are going to run that pace in a triathlon anyway so that is a none issue.
I say keep training and get someone to help you "learn how to run" so to speak. Also never allow yourself to use your weight as an excuse. I have seen it a hundred times were someone who is a bit bigger will use the excuse "I have lots of muscle mass" or "I am just big boned" etc as the reason for being slow.
Keep positive and always believe in your abilities!!! GGod luck!
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Sling posted 1 year ago.
We've got some big guys on our local team (200+) who can fly. Like mdd says, they're never going to run 5:00-minute miles, but then again, neither am I, and I'm 143.
Speed hurts; how fast do you want to go?
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Make_em_suffer posted 1 year ago.
Big guys can run fast, but it's harder and takes more energy to move the mass....just physics in action. Shorter distances are easier and better for big guys, but that's not to say you can't compete at Olympic distances and greater. Bottom line....and just my opinion....numbers only matter if you let them....use them as bench marks, don't let them detract from the real fun of the sport. Highly recommend Galloway's books on running. Good luck!
someone else might win the race, but I'll make 'em suffer to do it...
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gfd posted 1 year ago.
I think your height is also a factor. Running around a 7:00 minute mile pace in an OLY isn't bad at all in my opinion. I would bet that you could run a 5k or 10k on its own at under a 6:30 pace or faster.
I am 5'9" 180 and used to be 205. I have been able to do 5ks at around 6:00 pace. I have not been able to run fast in the two tris I have completed. My pace in the OLY was 8:00 and the HIM was 9:00. I also had somach issues in both races. I have seen people with more body mass than I go rather fast on the run.
With all this being said I am trying to cut around 5 to 10 lbs for this tri season. I want to be lighter to lesson the pounding on the run and to get a little faster onthe bike. I have shortened my lifting sessions and do solely circuits.
"If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it you have won your race." -Dave Scott
~Garen~
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PrinceofClydes posted 1 year ago.
Yeah, what he said above.
Weight isn't the only factor.
Probably age is the most important but only if you're outside a wide range, say, if you're 70 yrs old, you won't run very fast regardless of weighing 185lbs.
Those decathletes at the Olympics are some pretty big boys and they don't look pretty in their 1500m race but they can scamper for a mile or two.
How far you plan to run at max. speed is critical.
And what is fast anyway?
Compared to whom?
Asafa Powell?
Hicham El Guerrouj?
Yes, you can run fast at 185 pounds.
I was 217lbs when I ran a 44:00 10,000 metres on the track at age 40
and 207lbs when I ran a 4:28:00 marathon at age 37, - neither of which is fast for the guys who win my age group, but it was fast for me.
PoC
"Pain doesn't last, chicks dig scars, glory is forever!"
- Shane Falco.
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glbrum posted 1 year ago.
simonatc;58707 wrote:
I forgot to add that i have no distance running background. No formal training at all, so that may be the answer.
I would say that is the answer. And fast is relative also. Decide how fast is fast for you and then go after it.
small story: 2005 I ran a 44:00 10k. One year later, same course I ran a 41:48. (both in a triathlon). 2 reasons I ran faster: I had trained for a HIM earlier in the year (meaning lots of running) and I got myself on a tri specific bike.
I'm not saying a tri bike is going to take 2 minutes off of your 10k, but a lot of running will. The tri bike will only help.
EDIT: all of my running was base miles, no speed at all.
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fpugsley posted 1 year ago.
I found that what really got my running in gear was a 5k/10k training course offered by my local running store. I am sure in Philly that there are a few running specific stores that probably offer a run course.
The one here in Dallas I used is run by a store called Luke's Locker. and was a 4 month course. Every saturday you run as a small group based on your speed with a coach, and then you get a weeks worth of workouts to follow. It probably shaved 5 minutes off my 5k time just by learning how to train for running.
I am 6'4 220 and now have a 20:45 5k and probably could take another minute off. Nothing to write home about, but for my age group its not too bad considering i am not 5'10 140.
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Ultrarunner posted 1 year ago.
A buddy of mine was a Navy SEAL. He was 6'1" 235 lbs and could run a 6:30 minute mile for 10 miles. My opinion, after getting smoked by him, weight doesn't matter much. It all depends on how you're wired up.
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Jstyle posted 1 year ago.
If you look at some of the famous runners like Pre they aren't built like perfect runners. I think a large amount of it is what you have inside...
I'm just looking for some opinions here, and I know some people will say that I should just talk to a coach to figure out how to run faster. My question is this: Is it possible for a guy who weighs 185 to run fast?
A little background. I grew up playing soccer and played through college. After college I got lazy and heavy. (I was up to 280 lbs) Then I finally decided to get back in shape and lost a bunch of weight through running and lifting. I got down to around 180 in about a year and then starting getting into triathlons to keep me motivated to continue working out. The first season I just did one sprint tri and one olympic distance tri. Then this past season, I completed 4 olympic distance tris. I did ok, but would like to start placing higher next year. I am happy with my bike (avg 23mph usually) and know how to get better in the swim (although i haven't accomplished that yet). My real question is simple. Do I need to lose more weight to improve my run (last race i averaged 7:04 mile). Like I said, I weigh about 185 now and the last time I got my body fat measured it was 9%, so I would kind of have to lose muscle mass. Any thoughts? Sorry for the long post.