Anyone losing weight to improve performance in sports?

Hey guys, 

I'm currently training for my first marathon, but I actually prefer competing in triathlons. I read on runnersworld that for every pound you lose, your mile time gets faster by 2 seconds. Plus all the best runners and cyclists are super skinny. So I'm considering trying to lose a few pounds in order to better my time. 

Anyone else done this? What are your thoughts, experiences? I probably would want to get down to 120lbs (I'm 5'6") which would put keep me in the healthy BMI range. I'm not looking to be underweight. I weighed 133lbs this morning, so if I lost 13lbs, my mile time could potentially get better by 26 seconds!!! I wouldn't count on dropping that much time, but I'm sure my mile time would decrease a least a little. 

Just wanted to see if anyone was in the same boat as me :)

Edit: I'm using the 120lbs just as an example. I would actually base my weight loss on my BF%, as I wouldn't want it to drop too low. Currently my BF% is 18%. I would like to get it down to 16%. 

Hello!

I'm actually in the same situation.  I'm training for my first marathon as well and have been trying to lose weight to improve my time.  I did this also when I ran cross country in high school.  As I lost weight, my time did improve and it was far less pounding on your knees and feet. I'm currently aiming for the same weight!

I think sticking with a BF% instead of BMI is important for a runner though - because runners are LEAN.  My dad who ran marathons is skinny, but he still weighs quite a bit more than you'd expect. 

The one thing that I noticed that I DEFINITELY think is important is that on the days you're doing your long run, you probably don't want to restrict calories that day.  What I've been doing is going about 500-800 calories under on non running days, 300-500 calories under on shorter runs (I never run more than 5 during the week) and try to break even on long run days.  Long runs are hard enough - I don't need to feel energy deprived on those days.  It's been working really well for me in terms of the amount of energy I have and with hunger stuff. I've dropped about 6 lbs in 2 months, and I've definitely noticed a change in the ease of my running and a change in my body shape.

I think another thing to be wary of is to not try to max out your weight loss.  They say that 2lbs/week is healthy, but I think when you're pushing your body as hard as training for your first marathon, backing off and letting it be more gradual is probably a good idea. 

Best of luck with your training! 

Oh wow!!! Thanks so much for all the great info and advice!! I really like your calorie deficit plan. I definitely agree with you on the long run days - haha there's no way I'm gonna restrict my calories on those days. I figure I burn between 1400-2000 calories, so I most likely am having a deficit anyway. I just eat whatever I feel like it, though. 

I really like how your deficits are very reasonable. It doesn't sound too bad - definitely doable. 

So I guess that means I need to count calories? grrr haha I HATE counting calories. 

Question - do you know what a reasonable BF% goal is? I basically want to go as low as I can without losing my period, hair, etc. Does 15-16% sound okay? What is your BF% goal, if you don't mind me asking? 

Thanks for the informative reply, and good luck to you too!!!! :)

Just incase you were wondering, losing 2% body fat for you would only be a loss of 3.16 lbs. of fat :). Good luck!

EDIT: Accidental double post! Any way to delete this?

I'm eyeing a marathon in 2010 so this is interesting information to me. I've signed up for a half marathon in November to keep me motivated since there's no convenient full marathon I can participate in for the remainder of this year.

I'm 110 right now and just want to be in maintenance mode for the time being. My times have definitely improved since I lost weight but I'm sure it's a combination of being lighter and fitter. Once I have a marathon on deck, which looks like March or April looking at the local calender, I'm contemplating dropping another 5 lbs. I'm 5'1" and medium framed (according to CC) and have this slender, muscular build so I can't imagine losing much more weight than that really. Still, it would be nice not to have to haul an extra 5 or so pounds over 26.2 miles. lol

I'm excited and nervous about doing some actual events. Never thought it would ever be something I'd do. :)

I'm doing my first half marathon in two weeks - so I won't really have time to lose any body-fat before that, but like you jturnerx I'd like to do a full one next year some time.

I definitely want to lose some weight for that, just to be able to run a bit faster and feel that little bit lighter. Do you any of you do strength training as well to run faster or just running? Cause I'd like to lose some fat but still try and have a strong body. I just feel a bit unsure about how to lose fat but not lose the small muscle mass I have...

I found this website http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm  which I found helpful for setting a goal BF%.  I'm aiming for 16% right now, because I figure the middle is a good place to go.  I think when you go below 14% is when you start having trouble with losing hair and your period and stuff.

And counting calories is kinda terrible - haha.  It's really annoying at first but it has since become second nature in my mind.  I estimate a lot too to the nearest 50 or so and try to overestimate.  So I'm not too anal about it. 

And like someone else said, you're only like 3lbs away from 16%, which is awesome!  :)  Good luck!