Run Run Away

Question:

I weigh 200 lbs (6′3") and plan on running forever. My 3:26 marathon PR is my proudest achievement. I find I do much better in the ultras- fewer skinny wusses around.

Response:

John writes :: I weigh 200 lbs (6′3") and plan on running forever. My 3:26 marathon PR is my proudest achievement.

      With a time like that I’ll bet you’d place real well in the Clydesdale divisions. I’m 47 yrs & 197 lbs (large body frame and 30 years of kayaking) and recently ran a 3:25 at Portland Oregon – I placed first in my Clydesdale division and was the only Master above 195 lbs to qualify for Boston. I guess triathalons might be another place where we heavies might have a better chance as I’m sure the average triathalete is heavier (muscled) than your average runner. Mick

Response:

I worked on the Kona Ironman for three years.  The folks out front looked pretty slight to me but overall a little less skinny than a lot of just runners. Chuck

Response:

First of all, I’m amused when you all are talking about heavy runners being 5′10 – 6′2 and 190-225, as I started running about two years ago at 6′5”, 278 and the only running I had ever done was windsprints after football practice in college.  I’ve been running semi-seriously for just over a year now, tip the scales at a compact 244, and shake my head when there’s comments from others that I shouldn’t even be out on the road (Not enough room?)

Nice post, Jeff. Everyone needs to remember that the "P" in Personal Best stands for Personal. It’s your own.  It doesn’t matter what someone else’s is. Take pride in what YOU can do. If it’s first place, fine. If it’s last place, fine. I finished next to last in a Half-Ironman and I still consider it the most significant "PB" I’ve ever had. Just enjoy it. Mike "TriBop" Tennent WebRunner Running Page http://www.webrunner.com/webrun/running/running.html My Model Railroad Page http://www.webrunner.com/webrun/srr/

Response:

| First of all, I’m amused when you all are talking about heavy runners | being 5′10 – 6′2 and 190-225, as I started running about two years ago at [Snipped some good stuff] | I’m never going to make the US Olympic team in the 5000.  It will probably | take me years, and I mean years, to get my times down to where a 165 pound | "runner" jogs for his warm-up.  Who cares.  Yesterday I did my best speed | workout ever and I wanted to jump for joy, tell my friends, tell my wife, | etc. and it probably wouldn’t get my in the top half of a Church sponsored | 10K. | | | MIke Adams…..go for it, man.  Donald Bacaus, I said a cheer for you when Great attitiude Jeff. Until a few years years ago, I ran with an ex pro football player(played center, so you know we are in the same ball park) and we ran ultras together. While it may have taken him a few more hours to finish, you had to don sun glasses from the radiated pride. The reason I say used to run with – he decided to have kids at age 50 and his time is redirected. | milkshakes, but 4 Marathons is two more than I’ve done and it sounds like | your having a good time! | | *The common threads of advice I’d agree with.  Start slow, build slower, | and run for yourself, not necessarily against other people.   Bingo!!!! — Doug Freese  All opinions are mine. IBM Tele: 8-293-8098

Response:

We need more posters like Jeff.

If you are interested in more Clydesdale info, there is a mailing list, page at http://members.aol.com/twincitytc. In the April issue, Runner’s World devoted 9 pages to the Ultimate Runner, and Don Kardong’s battle with a couple Clydesdales (me being one of them). Let’s see those skinny boys try to take the inside lane away from a 200 pounder. — | ///| Crewstone Consulting ltd. | http://members.aol.com/kcstone |/// | 294 West End Boulevard    | "Nobody knows the Rubbles I’ve seen.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – First of all, I’m amused when you all are talking about heavy runners being 5′10 – 6′2 and 190-225, as I started running about two years ago at 6′5”, 278 and the only running I had ever done was windsprints after football practice in college.  I’ve been running semi-seriously for just over a year now, tip the scales at a compact 244, and shake my head when there’s comments from others that I shouldn’t even be out on the road (Not enough room?) It’s akin to me telling little guys to get out of the weight room — "If you won’t ever be able to squat 550, why bother?!" — Preposterous.  If it makes you feel better about your body, if its an activity you enjoy, then go for it, whether you have the right "physique" or not.  I have the most respect for women, for instance, I see in the weight room who lift with _the bar_ only, because its where there strength level is (for now!) while faux-he-men grunt, groan and preen, only happy if they put more weight on than they are able to lift with proper form, so they look better in front of the other lifters. I’m never going to make the US Olympic team in the 5000.  It will probably take me years, and I mean years, to get my times down to where a 165 pound "runner" jogs for his warm-up.  Who cares.  Yesterday I did my best speed workout ever and I wanted to jump for joy, tell my friends, tell my wife, etc. and it probably wouldn’t get my in the top half of a Church sponsored 10K. MIke Adams…..go for it, man.  Donald Bacaus, I said a cheer for you when milkshakes, but 4 Marathons is two more than I’ve done and it sounds like your having a good time! *The common threads of advice I’d agree with.  Start slow, build slower, and run for yourself, not necessarily against other people. *Shoes are key. Sauconys have worked well for me, though its tough to find Size 14s!  I had a mild stress fracture using Asics (sp?) but no problems once I switched over.  Brooks Beast sounds intriguing in the name at least! *Listen to your body.  You may need more off days than lighter guys, you may be built for long and slow versus short and fast, you probably need more water (big guys tend to lose water faster and less efficiently), etc. *Hassle your local race directors to include Clydesdale, Rhino or Filly divisions for their races. One of the appeals of running as a sport is that its for everyone, not waifs only, not men only, not young folk only, everyone. I’m 2 marathons, a 30 K, 2 half marathons and a handful of shorter races in the books, with another marathon in May coming up and I’m as psyched of my scrapbook as any champion, but you’ll probably never see me in the winners circle. B.F.D. Comments over email (from big _and_ little guys) are welcome.  See you on the roads, but heads up, it takes me a little longer to slow down sometimes. Momentum and all that…… Jeff

We need more posters like Jeff.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – First of all, I’m amused when you all are talking about heavy runners being 5′10 – 6′2 and 190-225, as I started running about two years ago at 6′5”, 278 and the only running I had ever done was windsprints after football practice in college.  I’ve been running semi-seriously for just over a year now, tip the scales at a compact 244, and shake my head when there’s comments from others that I shouldn’t even be out on the road (Not enough room?) It’s akin to me telling little guys to get out of the weight room — "If you won’t ever be able to squat 550, why bother?!" — Preposterous.  If it makes you feel better about your body, if its an activity you enjoy, then go for it, whether you have the right "physique" or not.  I have the most respect for women, for instance, I see in the weight room who lift with _the bar_ only, because its where there strength level is (for now!) while faux-he-men grunt, groan and preen, only happy if they put more weight on than they are able to lift with proper form, so they look better in front of the other lifters.   I’m never going to make the US Olympic team in the 5000.  It will probably take me years, and I mean years, to get my times down to where a 165 pound "runner" jogs for his warm-up.  Who cares.  Yesterday I did my best speed workout ever and I wanted to jump for joy, tell my friends, tell my wife, etc. and it probably wouldn’t get my in the top half of a Church sponsored 10K. MIke Adams…..go for it, man.  Donald Bacaus, I said a cheer for you when milkshakes, but 4 Marathons is two more than I’ve done and it sounds like your having a good time! *The common threads of advice I’d agree with.  Start slow, build slower, and run for yourself, not necessarily against other people.   *Shoes are key. Sauconys have worked well for me, though its tough to find Size 14s!  I had a mild stress fracture using Asics (sp?) but no problems once I switched over.  Brooks Beast sounds intriguing in the name at least! *Listen to your body.  You may need more off days than lighter guys, you may be built for long and slow versus short and fast, you probably need more water (big guys tend to lose water faster and less efficiently), etc. *Hassle your local race directors to include Clydesdale, Rhino or Filly divisions for their races. One of the appeals of running as a sport is that its for everyone, not waifs only, not men only, not young folk only, everyone. I’m 2 marathons, a 30 K, 2 half marathons and a handful of shorter races in the books, with another marathon in May coming up and I’m as psyched of my scrapbook as any champion, but you’ll probably never see me in the winners circle. B.F.D. Comments over email (from big _and_ little guys) are welcome.  See you on the roads, but heads up, it takes me a little longer to slow down sometimes. Momentum and all that…… Jeff

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – First of all, I’m amused when you all are talking about heavy runners being 5′10 – 6′2 and 190-225, as I started running about two years ago at 6′5”, 278 and the only running I had ever done was windsprints after football practice in college.  I’ve been running semi-seriously for just over a year now, tip the scales at a compact 244, and shake my head when there’s comments from others that I shouldn’t even be out on the road (Not enough room?) It’s akin to me telling little guys to get out of the weight room — "If you won’t ever be able to squat 550, why bother?!" — Preposterous.  If it makes you feel better about your body, if its an activity you enjoy, then go for it, whether you have the right "physique" or not.  I have the most respect for women, for instance, I see in the weight room who lift with _the bar_ only, because its where there strength level is (for now!) while faux-he-men grunt, groan and preen, only happy if they put more weight on than they are able to lift with proper form, so they look better in front of the other lifters.   I’m never going to make the US Olympic team in the 5000.  It will probably take me years, and I mean years, to get my times down to where a 165 pound "runner" jogs for his warm-up.  Who cares.  Yesterday I did my best speed workout ever and I wanted to jump for joy, tell my friends, tell my wife, etc. and it probably wouldn’t get my in the top half of a Church sponsored 10K. MIke Adams…..go for it, man.  Donald Bacaus, I said a cheer for you when milkshakes, but 4 Marathons is two more than I’ve done and it sounds like your having a good time! *The common threads of advice I’d agree with.  Start slow, build slower, and run for yourself, not necessarily against other people.   *Shoes are key. Sauconys have worked well for me, though its tough to find Size 14s!  I had a mild stress fracture using Asics (sp?) but no problems once I switched over.  Brooks Beast sounds intriguing in the name at least! *Listen to your body.  You may need more off days than lighter guys, you may be built for long and slow versus short and fast, you probably need more water (big guys tend to lose water faster and less efficiently), etc. *Hassle your local race directors to include Clydesdale, Rhino or Filly divisions for their races. One of the appeals of running as a sport is that its for everyone, not waifs only, not men only, not young folk only, everyone. I’m 2 marathons, a 30 K, 2 half marathons and a handful of shorter races in the books, with another marathon in May coming up and I’m as psyched of my scrapbook as any champion, but you’ll probably never see me in the winners circle. B.F.D. Comments over email (from big _and_ little guys) are welcome.  See you on the roads, but heads up, it takes me a little longer to slow down sometimes. Momentum and all that…… Jeff

Thanks for the inspiration.  It’s not always how well you do something,

Response:

First of all, I’m amused when you all are talking about heavy runners being 5′10 – 6′2 and 190-225, as I started running about two years ago at 6′5”, 278 and the only running I had ever done was windsprints after football practice in college.  I’ve been running semi-seriously for just over a year now, tip the scales at a compact 244, and shake my head when there’s comments from others that I shouldn’t even be out on the road (Not enough room?) It’s akin to me telling little guys to get out of the weight room — "If you won’t ever be able to squat 550, why bother?!" — Preposterous.  If it makes you feel better about your body, if its an activity you enjoy, then go for it, whether you have the right "physique" or not.  I have the most respect for women, for instance, I see in the weight room who lift with _the bar_ only, because its where there strength level is (for now!) while faux-he-men grunt, groan and preen, only happy if they put more weight on than they are able to lift with proper form, so they look better in front of the other lifters.   I’m never going to make the US Olympic team in the 5000.  It will probably take me years, and I mean years, to get my times down to where a 165 pound "runner" jogs for his warm-up.  Who cares.  Yesterday I did my best speed workout ever and I wanted to jump for joy, tell my friends, tell my wife, etc. and it probably wouldn’t get my in the top half of a Church sponsored 10K. MIke Adams…..go for it, man.  Donald Bacaus, I said a cheer for you when milkshakes, but 4 Marathons is two more than I’ve done and it sounds like your having a good time! *The common threads of advice I’d agree with.  Start slow, build slower, and run for yourself, not necessarily against other people.   *Shoes are key. Sauconys have worked well for me, though its tough to find Size 14s!  I had a mild stress fracture using Asics (sp?) but no problems once I switched over.  Brooks Beast sounds intriguing in the name at least! *Listen to your body.  You may need more off days than lighter guys, you may be built for long and slow versus short and fast, you probably need more water (big guys tend to lose water faster and less efficiently), etc. *Hassle your local race directors to include Clydesdale, Rhino or Filly divisions for their races. One of the appeals of running as a sport is that its for everyone, not waifs only, not men only, not young folk only, everyone. I’m 2 marathons, a 30 K, 2 half marathons and a handful of shorter races in the books, with another marathon in May coming up and I’m as psyched of my scrapbook as any champion, but you’ll probably never see me in the winners circle. B.F.D. Comments over email (from big _and_ little guys) are welcome.  See you on the roads, but heads up, it takes me a little longer to slow down sometimes. Momentum and all that…… Jeff

Response: