Last Updated on July 1, 2018 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
Marathon training weight gain is essentially the college “Freshman 15” of the running world. Almost every run has heard of it, some fear it, and some succumb to it. Frequently, runners training to complete a 26.2 mile race pack on a few…or sometimes even a little more than a few…pounds during their training cycle. The rumored weight gain is so fear-inducing that many people avoid signing up for a marathon because of it. A number of my clients who have worked hard to achieve weight loss tell me they would like to train for a marathon but are scared they will gain back some of the weight they lost.
Their fear is valid, but with a little awareness, not necessary.
Despite being a fitness blog of sorts, I rarely discuss weight gain or weight loss issues in this space. My official job title is Exercise Physiologist, and during my day job (when I’m not sitting behind this desk), I am typically working with clients whose main focus is to lose weight. My main focus, however, is and always has been to get people moving and healthier, with an emphasis on all of the amazing things their body is capable of. Weight loss is secondary.
That said, there are times when reasons for weight gain can (and should) be easily addressed, and I think the “marathon training weight gain” phenomenon is one of them. It seems almost counterproductive to train so hard and run hundreds of miles over the course of many months only to end up gaining weight. But I’ve seen it happen, over and over again. So what exactly is going on here?
Marathon Training Weight Gain: Explained
Weight loss, at its very core, is a very simple concept. Burn more calories each day than you consume. A net loss of 3,500 calories is the equivalent of burning off one pound of excess body fat. Weight gain is the exact opposite: Consume more calories than you burn, and your body will convert and store those extra calories as fat instead of burning them as fuel.
So if we are burning all of these calories training for a marathon, where does the weight gain come in?
As a long-distance runner of over 10 years, I’m going to let you in on a not-so-secret fact: running makes you hungry. Sometimes ravenously hungry. It’s no surprise: your body works hard to cover those miles. But something else happens when you start covering much longer distances in your training runs: excuses and justifications when it comes to food. The hunger leads you to believe you earned pretty much anything in the food world, calories be damned.
For example, “I just ran 20 miles before most people even got out of bed this Saturday morning. This accomplishment most certainly deserves _____” (fill in the blank here: three donuts, a liter sized sugar laden slurpee, a huge plate of bacon, an extra-large frosty iced coffee, a juicy cheeseburger and a pint of beer…or three. You get the idea.) Before you know it, you’ve very quickly and almost effortlessly eaten back all of the calories (and then some) you burned during that run, leading to a net increase in calories. And what happens next?
Over time, you start to gain weight.
To further add to this dilemma, running long distances can–and will–make you tired and sore. Sure, you may have burned 1,800 calories during your long training run, but then you sat on the couch recovering for the rest of the day, getting in very little other activity and not burning any extra calories. At the end of the day you may have burned no more (or maybe even fewer) calories than you burn on an average day, despite your long training run.
So how do you avoid this trap?
4 Ways to Avoid Marathon Training Weight Gain:
1. Be realistic with your caloric expenditure.
Running typically burns 100+/- calories per mile, but this can vary greatly depending on age, weight, gender, fitness level, and a number of other factors. If your goal is weight loss, assume you are on the lower end of the calorie burn. Be sure to account for any calories you may have taken in during training (such as carbohydrate gels, sports drinks, etc.) Also factor in the lack of calorie burn if you spend the rest of the day relaxing (not that anyone blames you for resting!)
2. Refuel quickly post run.
Getting in a healthy snack immediately after your long run will help you avoid what I call the “runchies”…when you become absolutely ravenous post long run. Refueling your body immediately will help you avoid the urge to eat absolutely everything on the menu or in your refrigerator. Research shows that the most optimum window for a post run or workout snack is within 30 minutes of exercise. Opt for a snack with a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein, to help replenish depleted glycogen stores, and promote recovery to damaged muscle tissue.
3. Refuel wisely.
Everyone loves a nice cold beer or fried bar food from time to time, but don’t make these post-run treats a habit. Avoid the “I earned this” mentality. Instead, refuel with fresh, whole foods that are more nutritionally dense. These foods will not only keep you satisfied and feeling full with fewer calories but also replenish your body and the nutrients lost during your training.
4. Move your body…more.
Avoid spending the rest of the day after a long run on the couch. Light movement such as walking will help promote recovery by bringing oxygen to your sore muscles through increased blood flow. Plus, you’ll continue burning more calories by moving than you will sitting.
One thing to keep in mind: Not all marathon weight gain is bad. If you are a new runner, chances are you will be building muscle and storing extra water and glycogen (fuel) in your muscles. All of this can lead to a higher number on the scale.
So to sum this post up, no, you are not necessarily doomed to fall victim to the marathon training weight gain. You simply need to keep your calories in check and those runchies at bay. Unsure of exactly how many calories you should be taking in? I highly recommend consulting a registered dietician or another professional that specializes in sports nutrition to get that answer, especially if weight loss is a goal or concern.
In short: do not let the fear of potential weight gain keep you from signing up for a marathon. Crossing that finish line after months of hard training is an amazing accomplishment that you will not regret!
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
Cory McNair
When I (under)trained for my first marathon, I lost weight through the bulk of training, but began quickly gaining during tapering because I wasn’t accounting for reduced caloric expenditure. This was among many things I did wrong for that first race. During training for the next marathon, I was already at a better fitness level before starting training, but gained weight and lost girth at the same time as my body became leaner. I gained a little weight in the beginning of tapering (we are now talking less than 5lbs on a stout Scottish frame) but adjusted my diet and activity level to build glycogen stores AND not balloon up. A little knowledge and a coach who knows how to wrangle you in during tapering helps a lot.
Virjinia
I couldn’t agree with this more! So many people get into the “I earned this” mindset and there’s where the weight comes. Working with a nutritionist has helped me really refuel correctly and keeps me from eating everything under the sun!