I typically weigh about 162 lbs on Ironman raceday (I’m a hair under 6’ 3"). But I’m going into Boston weighing about 166 lbs. I’d love to think it’s 4 lbs of muscle, gained from all my swimming this winter, but I’m afraid it’s just the difference between my recent 12-13 hour training weeks and the 16-18 hour training weeks that precede an Ironman.
So, is my muffin top going to doom my marathon, or is there an acceptable range of race weights, with Ironman weight being at the low extreme?
Thoughts (other than I should have laid off the pie)?
How has your training been going? What’s your goal time, etc? What times have you raced previously? Need some more info to make a good call on it.
What’s your straight marathon time vs. Ironman marathon time? The first 9 miles of Boston are down hill so weight and gravity will be to your advantage… jk. Just watch the quads on the first 9 miles so you can be ready for the hills then Brookline. Brookline is where I always want to speed up because the crowds are so freaking awesome there and it’s so much fun. You feel like a rock star there with a zillion fans. Boston is such an incredible race.
Any lesser weight may make us all faster runners, less to carry. But hey, you could have an awesome day. Hope you do have a great race!
I’ve been hitting about 40-45 mpw, with five long runs of 18-21 miles, varying from 8:15-7:45 pace (w/1-2 rides and 3 swims per week, too). Last weekend, I did a quicker 14 miles @ 7:10 and felt strong. I live in the mountains and all my training is hilly. I ran a half marathon on a very fast course (Gasparilla) in February and did 1:21:38, but my half marathon times have always been better than my marathon times. I did a 2:57:45 in Boston in 2008 (perfect conditions), and would love to hit 2:55 this year, but I’ll be happy with anything under my 2008 time.
I don’t remember what I weighed in 2008, but I’m a bit anxious about being heavier than I am in my IM’s. When I’m at my peak IM training volume, it’s hard for me to eat enough. Without as much riding in the winter months and fewer two-a-day workouts, I’m carrying some extra weight. I’ve done three IM marathons between 3:34-3:36.
I guess the question is whether I should aim for one ideal race weight for IM’s and marathons, regardless of training volume leading up to the event. Or should I just accept that I’m going to weigh more before a spring marathon (due to less overall training) than I do before a fall IM?
I wouldn’t overthink your weight too much. Macca won Kona at probably a little heavier than you, and ran a 2:42? Potts is heavier than you, and also runs in the low 2:50’s in an Ironman marathon. If you are talking about bodyfat percentages, that may be a different story.
@coltank17: Unfortunately, I presume that a good bit of those 4 lbs is fat. I don’t think I’ve made significant gains in muscle mass. No one has ever compared my physique to Macca’s or Pott’s
I know I’m obsessing a bit here (what else is there to do on race week? ). I’ve never really worried about my weight, but now I wonder if one’s target race weight should always be the same or whether it depends on the nature of the event and the preparation. Do I just need to eat less (the horror!) if I expect to arrive at the starting line of my spring marathon at the same weight as I do my fall IM?
I don’t think that eating less will do you any good. Eating differently may be what you need to concentrate on. You want to be leaner, but not necessarily lighter, unless you are going to concentrate solely on running, and then you’ll want to lose some of that upper body mass gained from swimming.
I am certianly no expert, and not one to be giving advice, but if you eat less, you may not leave yourself with the adequate energy for workouts or recovery. If you really want to be as efficient as possible, you need to be eating the right things at the right times, and you may even need to eat more. Something to discuss with your coach.
I ran Boston last year and threw down a 3:12 at 2 hundo plus so I dont think your 166 is going to kill you.
words of advice, piss as many times as you can before they lock you into those gates. pace yourself at the start, find some other cats that think they are going to run yoru goal time and help eachother along the race. a good running partner is key to battle through the tough mental spots.
Your Feb. 1:21:28 half is a great time (would assume you had the few pounds then too…) Your IM marathon time is good too. You know Boston so you know what to expect from the course. There was a thread yesterday about strategy for getting through the crowds while going through the corrals… check that out… a good course / crowd strategy may get you down a minute or so. I hope you just nail it and get your Boston PR. Good luck!
I always thought that my triathlon weight would be more - especially if you compare top athletes in running to top athletes in triathlon. The runners are basically skin and bones, little muscle and certainly little definition.
If muscle weighs more than fat, I would think from all the swimming, combined with biking and running, a top ironman triathlete would weigh more.
I always thought that my triathlon weight would be more - especially if you compare top athletes in running to top athletes in triathlon. The runners are basically skin and bones, little muscle and certainly little definition.
If muscle weighs more than fat, I would think from all the swimming, combined with biking and running, a top ironman triathlete would weigh more.
I agree. I’m 5-10 lb lighter in the running season than the tri season, and that correlates with visible shrinkage or growth of my upper body.
In my experience my running weight is LOWER than my tri weight. I race tri at about 150-155. When I am fit and running well I am closer to 145. No real need for monster thighs and upper body when you are running a marathon. It is all about efficiency.
In my experience my running weight is LOWER than my tri weight. I race tri at about 150-155. When I am fit and running well I am closer to 145. No real need for monster thighs and upper body when you are running a marathon. It is all about efficiency.
This is me as well. When I am running like to be 160 ish (6’-0"), tri weight @ 165 ish.
Put me down as another whose ironman weight is higher than his open marathon weight. I’d like to think it’s because I gain muscle mass in my legs from those damn bike intervals on the trainer. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it.
I’m 6’2 179 with 9% body fat. I’m not training for an IM but I do want to win my age group at Olympic/Sprint/Halfs, high 160’s sounds scary light to me. Should i drop 10lbs?
Just watch the quads on the first 9 miles so you can be ready for the hills then Brookline. Brookline is where I always want to speed up because the crowds are so freaking awesome there and it’s so much fun. You feel like a rock star there with a zillion fans. Boston is such an incredible race.