Have you ever run a marathon? Or even a half marathon? Even if you didn’t participate, I bet you saw marathon runners in the video. But have you noticed that almost everyone is super skinny? Why are runners so skinny?
You must be wondering why they are so skinny while competing in one of the toughest endurance sports on the planet. I don’t know about you, but every time I see a marathon runner, I can’t believe it, that guy is going to finish 26.2 miles.
Runners get so skinny by following a rigorous diet and exercise routine. This often includes limiting their caloric intake and eating healthy foods. They also need to make sure they get enough rest, follow a consistent exercise routine, and stay hydrated. Additionally, runners should focus on strength training and interval running to help build lean muscle mass.
Best prices – Running Weigh Loss on AmazonNot all marathon runners look thin and unhealthy
You’ve probably seen photos of elite marathon runners looking incredibly thin, with sunken eyes and dry skin. If you’re like me, you may have misjudged exercise as a reason to look skinny and «unhealthy.» But as I was browsing the internet and watching other participants in various marathons, I noticed something else about MOST of their bodies: they look amazing.
Why do some marathon runners not look healthy?
Competitive Endurance Athletes
Competitive high-volume runners should skip the weights. Resistance training isn’t just about showing off a toned beach body. Most strength gains during the first few weeks (sometimes months) of resistance training come from nervous system adaptations, not muscle growth. Therefore, the most successful endurance athletes get more attention, whether they grow up or not.
Long and frequent training is the reason for a slim body
The type of training habits a runner adopts is extremely important in determining the effect it has on the body. Runners who have been training for a long time offer to train almost 6 days a week. Each training session lasts almost two hours. This type of exercise helps to remove fat from the body instead of storing it.
During the first 1.5 hours of the race, the body uses glycogen as fuel. Once glycogen is depleted, the body begins to use fat for energy. Then the fat starts to burn and the runner’s legs get weak.
Marathon Training Plans
The main reason why a marathon runner will have a lean body is training and exercises. Most runners train at least 6 times a week and the training can last more than 6 hours. This training plan allows the body to eliminate fat and maintain lean muscle mass.
The average runner’s body depletes its glycogen stores in the first 90 minutes before using fat for energy. In addition, the runner’s muscles consume all the carbohydrates in the blood. This means that nothing should be converted to body fat in the first 24 hours.
