3/29/11
15 miles
2:13
8:52 avg pace
Nothing too remarkable about this run. It was cold (again) and my hands were cold (again)…even though I brought a change of gloves. I’m really sick and tired of this cold. Spring, get here and stay here!
I wanted to address weight gain and marathon training. I have gained 5 lbs this training cycle. This isn’t uncommon for me; it has happened before. My clothes aren’t tighter and I don’t feel that much different. I don’t weigh myself religiously – just every now and then (that’s how I found out I was +5). And no, this weight gain is not muscle…I can assure you of that!
It’s more common for runners to gain weight during marathon training than lose it. It seems hard to believe that you can gain weight while doing all that running but it happens. Non-runners ask me all the time how much weight I can lose when training. You should see their faces when I tell them my weight remains the same or I even (gasp!) gain weight. Training for a marathon should never be used for weight loss. Your appetite is out of control, to put it mildly. If you have every been around me during training, you know how much pizza I can put away!
My issue (and probably the reason for my weight gain) is my out of control sweet tooth. This began around Christmas (which I think is normal; everyone overindulges in sweets during that time) but it has not gone away! Coincidently, I started training for this marathon during Christmas. I often use sweets as a “reward” for training. And that is where the problem lies. I really shouldn’t be rewarding myself with a DQ Blizzard after every long run! Totally unnecessary. The cravings for sweets are so strong that I just give in. We can’t have sweets in the house – they are gone instantly. I’m not one of those people who can have 3 Hershey Kisses to satisfy my sweet tooth!
So my solution is to cut out ALL sweets until after the marathon. I gotta do this cold turkey. I think by taking a drastic approach (i.e., total withdrawal) I can “calm” my never ending desire for sweets. Ugh, it’s gonna get ugly around here 😉
Funny thing is these extra 5 lbs don’t make me feel sluggish when I run! I feel so strong. Odd, huh? And no, it’s still not muscle!
Yesterday I went to Whole Foods to pick up some more crack White Chocolate Wonderful. I was about to also pick up Dark Chocolate Dreams but then realized that would be too close to a sweet. Chocolate + PB = Reese’s Cup. Maybe after May 1!
Do you reward yourself with treats during training? Ever gain weight while training?
I love that you posted on this because I am also training for a marathon and increasing my miles and I have gained 5 pounds as well! Thanks for making me feel like I am not the only one! My clothes fit fine, but I am with you on the sweets 😉
LeeAnn – you are not alone 🙂
No kidding~ this is my 6th marathon training, but the only time I have actually gained 6 lbs. I was a little worried….but I guess most of my clothes fits still. The weird thing is I don’t really over eat or eat too many sweets!! Any ideas, it can’t be only muscle weight gain??
Hi Kristy!
I have been reading your blog for a weeks now, but this is my first time commenting! I really have enjoyed reading your marathon training and how you approach it with proper fueling, and a great mental attitude.
I really enjoyed reading this post as well! I have been debating a marathon (and will do one after I graduate from college) but I need to get my mind in the right place first. I have dealt with disordered eating issues for several years and would probably use marathon training as a way to keep my weight down…of course this is completely WRONG!
Thank you for writing this post and showing that completing a marathon is an amazing accomplishment that should not be related to losing weight.
Good luck on cutting out sweets! I’m not sure I could… haha
Hi Tessa – thanks so much for the nice comments and for sharing your battle. I’m glad you realize marathon training shouldn’t be used as a method for weight loss. How can you ask your body to run 20 miles if you haven’t fueled it properly? I’ve tried and it’s not pretty 🙁
Your exactly right, you can’t ask your body to run that long without proper fuel! Your details on your marathon training are so awesome, you’re definitely going to rock it 🙂
They’re** doh!
This is sooo me! I have gained about 4 so far. I know its not a lot & I am stronger & my clothes fit fine. I think as a woman, this gets to me. But you would think with all the calories we are burning training it would all even out… somehow. I completely understand though. You become this person with out of control hunger! I’ve tried to start writing down my calories. I think it’s helping some. I’m the same way – if its sweet & its in the house… its in my mouth. Good luck! You can do it!!
Thank you Meredith!
I have a treat after every long run and I didn’t gain, but I also don’t have time to snack at all during the day (mostly because the baby will snatch it from me!).
Love this post, I did a similar one: http://itsadoglickbabyworld.blogspot.com/2011/03/body-after-marathon-my-take.html
Thanks Kara! I read your post and we have the same take on it….but you didn’t gain weight 🙂
Amen! Such a HUGE misconception that marathon training equates to weightloss. Thanks for addressing it and debunking the myth.
I soooooooo can relate to your sweet tooth issue. I am someone who would love dessert affter every meal! I have banned all sugar from my house as well. It helps to live with someone who lacks a sweet tooth. Mike NEVER wants dessert. (Hope our children inhereit his “tooth”.) I recommend sugar-free popsickles. They are made with Splenda and are about 20 calories a pop. They do the trick for me. That being said, I think a blizzard is warranted after every long run. If I don’t get to say it before the weekend, good luck in DC on Sunday! Wishing you gorgeous weather, the wind at your back, and a smashing PR!
Thanks Amanda!
Thank you for posting this!!!!! I am currently in week 12 of an 18 week training program for my first full marathon and my appetite is out of control!! The only day I wasn’t crazy hungry was this past Saturday when I ran my 16 and my stomach was a little upset. I’m sure I’ve made up for it this week. I find myself the most hungry on my off days.
Agreed! The day after a long run is the worst for me. I’ll eat anything and everything!
Sorry, I’m still tripping from the fact that you did a long a** run on a weekday.
ummm that white chocolate pb stuff looks AWESOME. scouting out wholefoods locations, asap.
It IS awesome!!!
I just ran a marathon Sun. Yes, I gained about 5 pds. too! Im mad about it! I didn’t train to lose weight, but not happy about gaining. I’ve heard it’s very common though. Love your blog!!!!
Hi Vanessa – thank you and congrats!
The same thing happens to me. I always tell people I don’t run to lose weight and that I actually gain weight. I tell my friends if they want to lose pounds to start doing weights!
Yep, this happens to me every time too! This season I was trying to lose some weight but I ended up losing a few pounds then just gaining them back. Marathon training is no time for a restrictive diet!!