General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Half Marathon time x weight Rss Feed  
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2008-08-30 12:17 AM

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1002525
Encinitas
Subject: Half Marathon time x weight

Hi Gang,

I just saw this website and it got me thinking about the proper racing weight i should be.

I recently ran a half marathon in 1:37:10 (my weight 169).

According to this website http://www.runningforfitness.org/calc/weighteffect.php?metres=21100... if i loose 4lbs i would shave it off 2 min. Is that correct ?



Edited by maubueno 2008-08-30 12:18 AM


2008-08-30 12:32 AM
in reply to: #1639090

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Zürich, Switzerland
Subject: RE: Half Marathon time x weight

Yes it is correct. Sometimes it is better to focus on loosing weight than spending more training effort for increasing performances in terms of PB on a running race.

In the marathon the effect is doubled of course in terms of final time.

 

2008-08-30 12:49 AM
in reply to: #1639090

Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: Half Marathon time x weight
maubueno - 2008-08-29 10:17 PM

Hi Gang,

I just saw this website and it got me thinking about the proper racing weight i should be.

I recently ran a half marathon in 1:37:10 (my weight 169).

According to this website http://www.runningforfitness.org/calc/weighteffect.php?metres=21100... if i loose 4lbs i would shave it off 2 min. Is that correct ?




To figure out your expected time:

expected_time = average_time * (1 + dm/m)

dm = change in your weight = -4 lbs
m = your weight = 169 lbs
average_time = 97.17 minutes

expected_time = 97.17 * (1 - 4 / 169) = 94:52

So, that's 2 minutes and 18 seconds faster.

The above equation assumes our bodies work in a linear fashion. For example, if you gain 10% in weight, it takes 10% more energy. It's very unlikely that the body is that efficient, and in practice I find a quadratic equation works better:

expected_time = average_time * (1 + dm/m)^2
expected_time = 92:37
That's 4 minutes and 33 seconds faster.

Bottom line: Given your current weight and current time, dropping 4 lbs you can expect to decrease your time somewhere in the range of 2:18 to 4:33.

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Half Marathon time x weight Rss Feed