It's been noted in several posts over at Runners World.com that ALOT of women GAIN weight while training for a marathon. This is with all the miles they run in addition to watching what they eat. I am currently training for a few marathons this year and desperately need to lose 20 lbs (10 I've always had, another 10 since starting a fulltime job and being surrounded by office treats!)I'm starting to get concerned that the training will take me in the opposite direction of my goals! can someone explain to me why this might happen? Various theories were brought up but the 2 main ones were cortisol (from stress from the training) and too FEW calories. I'm still also trying to strike the perfect balance between Cathe videos and my running. It would probably help if I cut the running to 3 days per week instead of 4-5 but I'm afraid I won't be prepared for my races. Any thoughts on this?
what do you think of this strange occurance?
- Thread starter Cbelle
- Start date
Cbelle,
This is my experience and my "theory". I have not run any marathons, but this past summer and fall I trained and ran a half marathon.
I gained a few pounds and felt really "soft" in the last few months before the race. I attributed this to the fact that I was eating so many more calories from carbs (even though they were good carbs). I think runners some times try to give themselves an energy boost by eating more carbs, when what they really need is more rest.
I also attributed the extra weight and softness to the fact that I pretty much eliminated all of my strength training to focus on running.
My race was in September and since then, I have continued running about 2 -3 times per week, but have worked a couple Cathe cardios back in each week as well as resumed strength training. I feel really great now and look better physically than I ever have. I do think the running helped burn some of the fat I was carrying and now that I resumed strength work, you can really see some muscle definition.
Just my .02
Tina
This is my experience and my "theory". I have not run any marathons, but this past summer and fall I trained and ran a half marathon.
I gained a few pounds and felt really "soft" in the last few months before the race. I attributed this to the fact that I was eating so many more calories from carbs (even though they were good carbs). I think runners some times try to give themselves an energy boost by eating more carbs, when what they really need is more rest.
I also attributed the extra weight and softness to the fact that I pretty much eliminated all of my strength training to focus on running.
My race was in September and since then, I have continued running about 2 -3 times per week, but have worked a couple Cathe cardios back in each week as well as resumed strength training. I feel really great now and look better physically than I ever have. I do think the running helped burn some of the fat I was carrying and now that I resumed strength work, you can really see some muscle definition.
Just my .02
Tina
activegirl
Cathlete
Cbelle,
I ran a marathon about a year ago, and found it to be a very positive experience, although I don't intend to do it again any time soon! While training for the marathon, I didn't want to lose all my strength gains, or miss out on crosstraining runs. That said, I found it to be totally doable. I mixed my running with the tank top weight rotation and some crosstraining to give my joints a break. I also didn't do a lot of carb loading, which a lot of runners advocate. My training schedule went like this:
Monday: PS Upper Body AM, Run PM
Tuesday: PS Lower Body, Spinning PM
Wednesday: CTX Shoulders, Triceps, Biceps AM, Run PM
Thursday: Interval Workout (Imax 1)
Friday: MIS AM, No Cardio
Saturday: Long Run (This was the run to get up my mileage. I worked up to 22 miles on the Saturday 2 weeks before the race, then dropped down to 14 miles for the next week).
I was in awesome shape at that time, and really enjoyed my training. Just remember, it is doable! I actually found a lot of the challenge to be mental. Just keep reminding yourself that you can do it!
Good Luck!
Hilarie
I ran a marathon about a year ago, and found it to be a very positive experience, although I don't intend to do it again any time soon! While training for the marathon, I didn't want to lose all my strength gains, or miss out on crosstraining runs. That said, I found it to be totally doable. I mixed my running with the tank top weight rotation and some crosstraining to give my joints a break. I also didn't do a lot of carb loading, which a lot of runners advocate. My training schedule went like this:
Monday: PS Upper Body AM, Run PM
Tuesday: PS Lower Body, Spinning PM
Wednesday: CTX Shoulders, Triceps, Biceps AM, Run PM
Thursday: Interval Workout (Imax 1)
Friday: MIS AM, No Cardio
Saturday: Long Run (This was the run to get up my mileage. I worked up to 22 miles on the Saturday 2 weeks before the race, then dropped down to 14 miles for the next week).
I was in awesome shape at that time, and really enjoyed my training. Just remember, it is doable! I actually found a lot of the challenge to be mental. Just keep reminding yourself that you can do it!
Good Luck!
Hilarie
Mckmain
Cathlete
Cbelle....I must be the odd one. I have run 11 marathons and have always lost weight. Usually about 5 lbs during my hi mileage weeks. Are you in the middle of training right now? I wouldn't run less than 4-5 days a week while training, you need to get your body adapted to the mileage. I have always lifted weights too while training. I think a good mix is upper body and lower body 2 times a week, abs 3-4 times a week and maybe a workout like the Gaunlet or Viper once a week. If you don't do alot of speedwork the Imaxes can help there. I am currently in my tapering weeks before a Jan 1st marathon. Good Luck with yours....
...Carole
...Carole
Mckmain
Cathlete
Cbelle....for my very first marathon I did a 12 week training schedule, from by the way, Runners World magazine! I even have it if you are interested. I averaged 36 miles a week, some weeks I ran 32 and other weeks I ran 40. After that marathon I increased my mileage and usually averaged 40 or more plus speedwork. It really depends on what your goals are. 3 times a week running could be enough if you are stepping or spinning or doing other cardio also. I finished my first marathon in 4 hours. I know it helped running 4-5 times a week and getting in my long runs like Hilarie said. If the time really doesn't matter (and it shouldn't for your first) then do what you can. Feel free to email me for any questions. I like to help......Carole
...CaroleI have run marathons and trained for endurance(I'm not a woman though.)
I have read that a woman's menstrual cycle gets longer sometimes halted during training for endurance events. The explanation in the article goes back to prehistoric days when we were hunter/gatherers, a prehistoric womans body shut off the system so conception couldn't happen when she was nomadic. The article was in Runner's World years ago.
I can't state on personal experience but If a woman's cycle got "stunted" would this affect her weight?
just a thought.
dave
I have read that a woman's menstrual cycle gets longer sometimes halted during training for endurance events. The explanation in the article goes back to prehistoric days when we were hunter/gatherers, a prehistoric womans body shut off the system so conception couldn't happen when she was nomadic. The article was in Runner's World years ago.
I can't state on personal experience but If a woman's cycle got "stunted" would this affect her weight?
just a thought.
dave
Mckmain
Cathlete
Cbelle...I'll scan it and get it to you...My email is [email protected] ......Carole
...CaroleMy thoughts on the weight gain are: when you are running the distances required for marathon training, you are burning lots of calories, which equals constant hunger and a need for more nutrients. I think sometimes this kind of constant hunger can lead to overeating. Possibly overeating by eating too many little meals per day. I know that when I was running 55 miles per week several years ago, I was ALWAYS hungry.
Bobbi
Cathlete
Cbelle, I maintained my weight while increasing my calorie intake enormously while training for the marathon. When my mileage peaked I was burning around 5,000 per week through running. As I tapered coming into it, I was sure to taper my food intake too. Most of the runners I know lose or maintain their weight and you will too if you think in terms of balancing your energy input/output. I was always hungry too and, at about 50 miles a week, I started to be tired and cranky too. Fortunately, I was able to taper back to 35 which was my favorite weekly mileage back in the day. You are going to love the marathon and if you listen to your body and keep track of your workouts and food intake you should have no trouble hitting your goal weight. I have always eaten 60-65% percent of my calories from carbs but I have found eating a little protein and fat, everytime I eat carbs effective for managing hunger except for the relatively short period of time when my long run, which was usually 8-10 miles, jumped from 15 to 18 to 23 miles about 6 weeks out.
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
- Mary Oliver
FirmDancer
Cathlete
Hi Cbelle, I'm one of the women who gained while training (10#); I still have not lost it...
My theories: 1) increase of cortisol. The last two months of training coincided with a major upheaval at work so I had major physical stress of training as well as mental stress at work; 2) I didn't have time to do additional strength training due to increased work hours; 3) My body hurt - a lot. I was a 10K racer and never really built up the base mileage to do a marathon properly. So I would do my training runs and nothing else during the day - completely sedentary except for my runs. I'm sure I was eating more than I was burning.
Would I do it again? Yes, the experience is great. But I would train differently. Best of luck!
My theories: 1) increase of cortisol. The last two months of training coincided with a major upheaval at work so I had major physical stress of training as well as mental stress at work; 2) I didn't have time to do additional strength training due to increased work hours; 3) My body hurt - a lot. I was a 10K racer and never really built up the base mileage to do a marathon properly. So I would do my training runs and nothing else during the day - completely sedentary except for my runs. I'm sure I was eating more than I was burning.
Would I do it again? Yes, the experience is great. But I would train differently. Best of luck!
runninggal
Cathlete
As someone who gains weight when I am training to run a marathon (approx. 5-8 lbs), I totally agree with Kathryn's theory of the body going into "survival mode." After the marathon, when my running returns to 25-30 miles per week, I lose the weight without effort and it remains stable.
activegirl
Cathlete
Cbelle,
My midweek runs were never longer than 6 miles. My Saturday runs were the runs I used to ramp up my mileage. I would add a mile or two each Saturday, working up from 6 miles to 22 miles. I found a lot of mind games to plan with myself. I trained with my sister-in-law, and we would drive the route we would run the night before to measure the mileage. Then in the morning, we would drop one car off at the end of the run, and drive back to the beginning. This made me feel like I had something to run towards, and I didn't want to have to run back the same way. If you are going to run a marathon, find a training program that works for you, and don't feel like you need to follow the running plans in magazine, the internet, or what has worked for others. Good luck!
Hilarie
My midweek runs were never longer than 6 miles. My Saturday runs were the runs I used to ramp up my mileage. I would add a mile or two each Saturday, working up from 6 miles to 22 miles. I found a lot of mind games to plan with myself. I trained with my sister-in-law, and we would drive the route we would run the night before to measure the mileage. Then in the morning, we would drop one car off at the end of the run, and drive back to the beginning. This made me feel like I had something to run towards, and I didn't want to have to run back the same way. If you are going to run a marathon, find a training program that works for you, and don't feel like you need to follow the running plans in magazine, the internet, or what has worked for others. Good luck!
Hilarie
kkshedevil
Member
I saw that thread at the RW forum too. You'd think this phenomenon would interest some researchers.
I ran two 20-mile races and one marathon when I was in my mid thirties. I didn't change my food intake, and my weight stayed exactly the same, even though I was burning a lot more calories. I know some skeptics think those of us who have this experience are eating more without realizing it, but my habits were very regular and I'm certain I wasn't eating more. I think it's the survival thing too.
After the marathon, I cut back drastically on my mileage due to overuse injuries, and I lost 5 pounds.
If my knees would give me permission, I'd love to do a long race again.
I ran two 20-mile races and one marathon when I was in my mid thirties. I didn't change my food intake, and my weight stayed exactly the same, even though I was burning a lot more calories. I know some skeptics think those of us who have this experience are eating more without realizing it, but my habits were very regular and I'm certain I wasn't eating more. I think it's the survival thing too.
After the marathon, I cut back drastically on my mileage due to overuse injuries, and I lost 5 pounds.
If my knees would give me permission, I'd love to do a long race again.