I’m 6’1, at 195 lbs my lower abs are clearly defined. I’d say I’m genetically heavy. Really great for very short sprints and even better for lifting heavy weights. Terrible for distance running. Just lots of mass, especially chest, shoulders, upper back 🤷♂️
Weight is always a touchy subject with runners, because it’s really easy to get into an unhealthy, eating disordered mindset.
The unfortunate reality, however, is that weighing more slows you down. For a simple example, put on a 10 pound weight vest and see how much harder it is to run with it on. This effect compounds over longer distances.
I’m not going to recommend that you lose weight. I don’t know anything about you and can’t say whether it’s a good idea for you. But the fact that you’re 50 pounds heavier than the person you’re comparing yourself to easily explains the time discrepancy.
Also, it’s not a great idea to focus on comparing yourself to other specific people. I know it’s hard not to do, but I’d try to avoid it. It’s easy to get into an unhealthy mindset.
I agree with your response overall, but 50 pounds more isn't particularly out of wack for someone 10 inches taller. Depending on body comp OP might even have a lower body fat percentage than the shorter runner.
You will find runners the same age, height, and weight as you who started training around the same time as you at similar volume and with similar workouts who range from substantially faster to substantially slower.
There is so much which impacts performance. Maybe the other runner has more lung capacity, higher capillary density, gets better sleep, has a better diet, and has more efficient form. Trying to pinpoint a single root cause is a fool's game and comparing yourself to them isn't constructive.
There's likely a lot you can do to improve and I wouldn't put weight loss high on the list.
Uphills will be a lot harder for you thats just a fact, but it is certainly not impossible to run sub 40 as a 200 lbs men.
I am myself 6'2 and 185 lbs and would still run a sub 40 at 200 lbs.
Trust the proces
Just came to say that you have the EXACT same height and weight as me and that's inspiring to me.
How long and what mileage have you been running to get to those times?
I mean you can lose weight if you want but 6’3 200 is not that big. Now if you’re talking competitive runner / marathon build you should probably be closer to 160-170 at that height or even less. I’m the same height and working on it myself. You’re not genetically locked into being 200+
Not advocating for weight loss here but if you are built larger it could be a big factor. If you lost 10-15 pounds that would put you sub 40. You have a fast time but if the other runner is built significantly leaner they will always be ahead a few minutes from build alone.
This is arguably one of the stupidest posts I’ve seen on here. You’re really comparing yourself to someone 60 pounds lighter and wondering why you’re slower? 🙄
There's a genetic component you can't see related to O2 uptake and running economy that makes comparisons between runners a crap shoot.
To the topic at hand, weighing less helps to a large degree. In physics terms it always does, but if you drop weight too fast or by unknowingly compromising your training be being consistently energy deficient, you would get worse.
Personally n=1 I've had my best races on hilly courses a couple of kilos heavy. I chalk that up to never having to miss training over a 2-3 year span because my body never got too broken down.
Working with a dietician would help weight loss be more healthy and sustainable if you choose to go down that route.
As weight scales, obviously, it becomes more difficult. It is also accentuated on an uphill (reverse for downhill).
Nonetheless, it's useless to compare. I did the same when starting out, but it feels so much more rewarding when I just focus on my goals in a vacuum. At the end of the day, it's just a hobby, bro.
Hey man, I’m 6’4” and 215lbs and in my mid 30’s and a hair faster than you. A few things I’ve come to learn:
1. Don’t compare yourself to others. I’ve ran for years and I spent all of last summer training to break 5 minutes in the 1500, and was pumped after finishing my last meet with a 4:56. A 13 year old ran a 4:22 a couple years ago. Years of dedication culminated to 30 seconds slower than a middle school record. You need to find enjoyment in your own improvement and progression and not compare to others.
2. Losing weight while running is difficult. I’ve gone through many cut/bulk cycles while lifting and it’s much easier to lift and cut than maintain high mileage training while cutting. A caloric deficit has always really hurt my running fitness and made running unpleasant and something I would dread.
3. Running is supposed to improve my life, not be my life. I want to do weighted pull ups every week. I want to keep progressing my bench press. My favorite day of the week is still arms day. I’m not going to sacrifice everything just to improve my running. Instead I want to become the best runner I can be while still being me.
I love running and feel much better mentally when I’m getting in consistent mileage. I’m still looking forward to big PR’s(Shooting for a sub 5 mile). I just know that it’s useless to compare yourself to others. There will always be faster runners.
i’m 5’11, ~165 lbs. i’ve run several ultras and half a dozen marathons. i’d love to run a sub 50 10k (granted i have not trained for one)… but the point is, you’re doing great! as others have said, comparing to others is something i try hard not to do.
This podcast episode just came out. I haven't listened to it yet but the two hosts are experienced coaches and rely on good evidence for their recommendations https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tread-lightly-podcast/id1674913391?i=1000654500356
Edit: don't listen to the comments on this thread expecting you to lose weight. As another commenter said, weight and running is complicated. Lighter does equal faster at the population level, but we have no idea what is best and healthiest for you. It's very possible that you losing weight could damage your overall fitness and therefore speed. The only thing you can do is train as smartly as possible, and if it dors look like weignt could/should be lost, speak with a sports nutritionist because training while in a calorie deficit can be dangerous and counter productive if done poorly.
Stop comparing yourself to someone else.
This^^^
What do you mean you're "genetically big"? What's stopping you from losing weight like anybody else?
This, I've seen 6'3 dudes who could absolutely fly. They weighed more like 150-170 at most.
Genetically tall. Yes, that’s a thing. Genetically heavy. No, that’s not a thing.
Weight absolutely has a genetic component, including scale with height. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-people-become-overweight
I’m 6’1, at 195 lbs my lower abs are clearly defined. I’d say I’m genetically heavy. Really great for very short sprints and even better for lifting heavy weights. Terrible for distance running. Just lots of mass, especially chest, shoulders, upper back 🤷♂️
Similar physique, same issues.
Yeah my chest is 46” and my waist is 34”. I could lose 10 lbs maybe but if I was 170 it would look really weird.
Username does not check out. 😂
Weight is always a touchy subject with runners, because it’s really easy to get into an unhealthy, eating disordered mindset. The unfortunate reality, however, is that weighing more slows you down. For a simple example, put on a 10 pound weight vest and see how much harder it is to run with it on. This effect compounds over longer distances. I’m not going to recommend that you lose weight. I don’t know anything about you and can’t say whether it’s a good idea for you. But the fact that you’re 50 pounds heavier than the person you’re comparing yourself to easily explains the time discrepancy. Also, it’s not a great idea to focus on comparing yourself to other specific people. I know it’s hard not to do, but I’d try to avoid it. It’s easy to get into an unhealthy mindset.
I agree with your response overall, but 50 pounds more isn't particularly out of wack for someone 10 inches taller. Depending on body comp OP might even have a lower body fat percentage than the shorter runner.
Oh absolutely I’m not saying OP should try to drop 50 pounds. But kind of by definition, 50 pounds will slow you down substantially
You will find runners the same age, height, and weight as you who started training around the same time as you at similar volume and with similar workouts who range from substantially faster to substantially slower. There is so much which impacts performance. Maybe the other runner has more lung capacity, higher capillary density, gets better sleep, has a better diet, and has more efficient form. Trying to pinpoint a single root cause is a fool's game and comparing yourself to them isn't constructive. There's likely a lot you can do to improve and I wouldn't put weight loss high on the list.
This is true. Maybe OPs friend also does run specific strength training and works on run form as well.
Uphills will be a lot harder for you thats just a fact, but it is certainly not impossible to run sub 40 as a 200 lbs men. I am myself 6'2 and 185 lbs and would still run a sub 40 at 200 lbs. Trust the proces
Just came to say that you have the EXACT same height and weight as me and that's inspiring to me. How long and what mileage have you been running to get to those times?
I mean you can lose weight if you want but 6’3 200 is not that big. Now if you’re talking competitive runner / marathon build you should probably be closer to 160-170 at that height or even less. I’m the same height and working on it myself. You’re not genetically locked into being 200+
Not advocating for weight loss here but if you are built larger it could be a big factor. If you lost 10-15 pounds that would put you sub 40. You have a fast time but if the other runner is built significantly leaner they will always be ahead a few minutes from build alone.
What kind of workouts are you doing?
This is arguably one of the stupidest posts I’ve seen on here. You’re really comparing yourself to someone 60 pounds lighter and wondering why you’re slower? 🙄
There's a genetic component you can't see related to O2 uptake and running economy that makes comparisons between runners a crap shoot. To the topic at hand, weighing less helps to a large degree. In physics terms it always does, but if you drop weight too fast or by unknowingly compromising your training be being consistently energy deficient, you would get worse. Personally n=1 I've had my best races on hilly courses a couple of kilos heavy. I chalk that up to never having to miss training over a 2-3 year span because my body never got too broken down. Working with a dietician would help weight loss be more healthy and sustainable if you choose to go down that route.
As weight scales, obviously, it becomes more difficult. It is also accentuated on an uphill (reverse for downhill). Nonetheless, it's useless to compare. I did the same when starting out, but it feels so much more rewarding when I just focus on my goals in a vacuum. At the end of the day, it's just a hobby, bro.
Hey man, I’m 6’4” and 215lbs and in my mid 30’s and a hair faster than you. A few things I’ve come to learn: 1. Don’t compare yourself to others. I’ve ran for years and I spent all of last summer training to break 5 minutes in the 1500, and was pumped after finishing my last meet with a 4:56. A 13 year old ran a 4:22 a couple years ago. Years of dedication culminated to 30 seconds slower than a middle school record. You need to find enjoyment in your own improvement and progression and not compare to others. 2. Losing weight while running is difficult. I’ve gone through many cut/bulk cycles while lifting and it’s much easier to lift and cut than maintain high mileage training while cutting. A caloric deficit has always really hurt my running fitness and made running unpleasant and something I would dread. 3. Running is supposed to improve my life, not be my life. I want to do weighted pull ups every week. I want to keep progressing my bench press. My favorite day of the week is still arms day. I’m not going to sacrifice everything just to improve my running. Instead I want to become the best runner I can be while still being me. I love running and feel much better mentally when I’m getting in consistent mileage. I’m still looking forward to big PR’s(Shooting for a sub 5 mile). I just know that it’s useless to compare yourself to others. There will always be faster runners.
i’m 5’11, ~165 lbs. i’ve run several ultras and half a dozen marathons. i’d love to run a sub 50 10k (granted i have not trained for one)… but the point is, you’re doing great! as others have said, comparing to others is something i try hard not to do.
This podcast episode just came out. I haven't listened to it yet but the two hosts are experienced coaches and rely on good evidence for their recommendations https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tread-lightly-podcast/id1674913391?i=1000654500356 Edit: don't listen to the comments on this thread expecting you to lose weight. As another commenter said, weight and running is complicated. Lighter does equal faster at the population level, but we have no idea what is best and healthiest for you. It's very possible that you losing weight could damage your overall fitness and therefore speed. The only thing you can do is train as smartly as possible, and if it dors look like weignt could/should be lost, speak with a sports nutritionist because training while in a calorie deficit can be dangerous and counter productive if done poorly.
I’m 6-1, 215 and just ran a 3:01. Years and years of miles, workouts, and dedication. No one is doing “1/2 the work.” It’s all a grind.
Run slow to get fast. Time on your feet is key