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4 Pounds after 4 Marathons

“Huwwwaaaaat?!”

That was my reaction as I viewed the numbers on the scale the evening we arrived from Hong Kong a few days after the marathon.

SCALE

I had gained a whopping 6 pounds in 4 days. Even my husband was shocked as he noted that I didn’t indulge so much during the trip. (Of course, he wasn’t with me during New Balance’s eat-all-you-can buffet where I had three whole lobsters. Still, that’s seafood so it doesn’t count!) Even if I had binged in one meal, I ran a marathon for God’s sake (plus I ran 3 more during the past months), so I should at the very least maintain my weight, right? Well, not this body of mine! Grrrr…

So, I moaned, and groaned, and complained, and whined about it all.

Now, almost 2 weeks after, I lost 2 of the 6 pounds but I’m still heavier than ever. Thus, I am still complaining and whining.

What’s the cause? After much analysis, here’s my bullish theory (for all you experts out there, correct me if I am wrong, but then again this is my body so I should know it best):

  1. Reduced mileage. I cut my mileage after Condura (recovery) and before Hong Kong (taper) thus reducing my calorie burn. (Can I just tell you that I absolutely hated this period?! Remind me never to do anything as crazy as this again.)
  2. Reduced activity. So I got busy with work and kids like a lot of you, and I stuck to my one love: running when I was pressed for time.  All the other stuff I used to do on a weekly basis: gym, spinning, swimming, and yoga were put on the back burner for the entire February.
  3. My body is used to running. I’ve been running since 2006 and I’m guessing that my body needs something new to get excited about for weight loss (or even just maintenance please!)  Triathlon world is that you calling once again?
  4. I’m eating more than I know. So, I cut back on meat, but I’ve been bingeing on fruit shakes (Sexy Chef, Stabucks, Frutas…you name it, I drink it!), yoghurt ice cream (Golden Spoon is love!), and more which is still too much for my reduced mileage.

The good news: I lose weight as fast as I gain.  So, as I told my gym instructor this morning—while we were both staring at my protruding belly and bulging arms in front of the mirror—”I’ll be back on track come Monday and I’ll lose those 4 pounds fast.”  This bull works hard for what she wants, and she usually gets it.

Posted on 03.12.10 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 7 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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7 Responses to “4 Pounds after 4 Marathons”

  1. I am just as buffled as you. I am heading into my 3rd marathon this year and has been racking up my mileage but I am exponentially gaining weight. I am not even laughing…shocked was the word actually when I stepped on the scale at the gym last night, a screaming 149 lbs. Its a shocker for me because before I started running last October 09, I never hit 140 in my life. I always ranged between 125 to 135 lbs. I feel so grossed out just looking at my running pictures recently with my bulging love handles now visibly showing.

    I have to stop “binged eating”. My appetite nowadays is as voracious as a hungry piranha at the Amazon. Casing point, the night before Condura. I was feasting at a Japanese and Filipino buffet right across my hotel in Makati and then followed by days of indulging and savoring Filipino food like their is no tomorrow.

    So I am heading into the LA marathon almost 15 lbs heavier than what I used to be. I feel heavy and fat.Sigh

    Kenneth T. said on Mar 12 10 at 9:39 PM Reply

    • I’m having the same issues man!! i think hydroxycut might do the trick!! I hope my body becomes like Ryan Hall’s!

      RESTASSURED said on Mar 15 10 at 1:12 PM Reply

  2. My Jelly Belly survived Bataan Death March! AAAAAARGH!

    Albu said on Mar 12 10 at 10:38 PM Reply

  3. Same here Jaymie. I am writing down my sinful foods to share next week. Im rewarding myself a lot after the HK marathon. :D

    Jinoe said on Mar 13 10 at 12:17 AM Reply

  4. Jaymie — i had actually gained as well since I started running. With almost a 10-hr day job, I couldn’t juggle that plus running plus weight training plus swimming. cutting down on the other 3 made me gain! I’m hoping to go back to the gym to cut the pounds fast while I recover from my injury!

    Lods said on Mar 14 10 at 12:06 AM Reply

  5. same thing happened to me! i always gain after running a half. my doctor-sister told me not to worry as it’s just a sign that i’m well-hydrated and that i will eventually lose the water weight in a few days. true enough, i’m down to my old weight (even shed a fraction of a pound :) after a week. maybe the same thing happened to you?

    Gail said on Mar 15 10 at 9:31 AM Reply

  6. Hi Jaimee! What can you advice me? i’ve already done 4 Halfs and 1 Full Marathon in a span of 6 months, but after finishing Condura last month. i started to gain weight and ran less miles without watching my diet. I’ve quit eating pork though but i still keep on gaining weight.. should i start not eating carbs at dinnertime?

    RESTASSURED said on Mar 15 10 at 1:06 PM Reply

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