Ran my 1st marathon, gained 8lbs :(

Molly229 · July 13th, 2006, 03:21 PM

Here is my story. I'm 5ft 137.5 lbs (today) 44 years young.

Last June I got down to 127 lbs by eating higher protein meals, lifting weights 3x per week and doing cardio 8x per week. Cardio consisted of running 10km and less as well as treadmill side to side shuffles and the elliptical machine.

In December of last year I decided I would train for a Marathon. My first. Training lasted from December 12th until into May. My marathon was May 28th. I'm not sure what I did wrong. Perhaps it was not journalling my food intake (like I normally do), perhaps it was re-introducing a few old habits, but with all the miles I put on, I actually gained almost 10lbs in the process. Perhaps my body stored alot of what I ate for the future... who knows. I finished the marathon in just over 5 hours and though it was a life altering experience for me, I would not do it again simply because I was mortified to gain the weight.

So...here I am.... 137.5lbs as of today, back on a journalling food, higher protein 'diet' and doing weights 2x a week, cardio 3x a week.

Anyone else gain while training for a Marathon?

**g_samsa** · July 13th, 2006, 05:45 PM

I'm running the twin cities and chicago this year. In the past, distant past, I was a semi-pro runner. I'm embarrased to say but I maxed out at 195 lbs 4 years ago when my running weight was 155. In the last two years I've gotten back to running and I lost 35 lbs. I've won a number of 5k's and a few 10k's. I'm training now to try to break the world record for a 10k pushing a stroller. I've gotten off-track and seem to have peaked at a few minutes too slow. But, I'm not too disapointed.

Anyhow, I lost almost all my weight in about 6 months. The first year of getting back to running, I bounced arround and really didn't lose that much. I think it had something to do with my body just trying to relearn what good shape was all about. I had to cut out all the junk food and do at least 60-80 minutes of running 4 days a week. I think a persons body sometimes has to learn how to work right, or sometimes relearn. I immagine it's like forgetting how to walk. It might take forever to figure out how to go 10 feet forward, but once your body has it, the next 100 feet are easy.

Also, I have never been a big fan of dieting or eating a targeted diet. I followed the idea that I would be healthy if I just didn't eat all the junk. It's worked out fine for me. I eat more cereal and bread than ever (very very important for runners) and just as much chicken and fish and red meat. The only change was the subtraction of the junk. Try that.

**forbodybuilders** · July 15th, 2006, 10:33 AM

wow..never hear that but its cool if you gain pure muscles!

axmaxl · August 8th, 2006, 07:52 AM

IMHO it is not really the exact weight which should count, but the 'felt'-weight! Molly, I am curious did you actually 'feel' heavier?

I have talked to many people in process of doing a diet and additionally doing or starting to practice sports. Many were demotivated that they saw their weight increasing being totally focused on daily watching the scales. As a matter of fact though they started feeling better both physically and mentally.

In your special case I would suspect that while you did run longer distances than before your bodies biologics shifted and your body tried to keep nutrients. In addition you probably gained more musclemass and not only on your legs. I am sure that if you would have kept going you would have lost weight again after your body adapted to the new situation.

But again and I totally agree with g_samsa. The focus has to turn from watching weight to enjoying a sport. While getting better weight will be lost automatically.