Marathon Questions

One dark day on Usenet, [email hidden] (TJH) said
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

(1) In the Midwest Region, does anyone have a great
suggestion for a first marathon? I was considering the
Columbus Marathon but would appreciate some input from
other runners regarding the best marathon.

I've gotta go with the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. I've
run it 4 times. It is very well organized, tremendous crowd
support, the course is extremely flat. Most reviews of
marathons rate this one as one of the best.

Quoted message said:

(2) Regarding the marathon preparation of increasing
distance over the weeks, does this build muscle to a
certain point then it will be maintained or will the
muscles continue to grow... making the upper leg
muscles bigger?

Distance running will not make the legs that big, unless
your legs are very thin to begin with. Take a look at any of
the better marathon runners. You'll see what I mean.

Quoted message said:

(3) What is the best way to achieve the goal of getting a
flatter stomach and being able to see the ab muscles?

Lose excess body fat. That, combined with your standard ab
exercise routines. But primarily lose the fat.

Phil M.

--
The essential thing in life is not so much conquering as
fighting well.

Baron De Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games

i got 9% and flab but i do run a lot so i give ,,, my body
take plodizlla

TJH said:

(1) In the Midwest Region, does anyone have a great
suggestion for a first marathon? I was considering the
Columbus Marathon but would appreciate some input from
other runners regarding the best marathon.

(2) Regarding the marathon preparation of increasing
distance over the weeks, does this build muscle to a
certain point then it will be maintained or will the
muscles continue to grow... making the upper leg
muscles bigger?

(3) What is the best way to achieve the goal of getting a
flatter stomach and being able to see the ab muscles?

In article <[email hidden]>,

Phil M. said:

One dark day on Usenet, [email hidden] (TJH) said
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

(1) In the Midwest Region, does anyone have a great
suggestion for a first marathon? I was considering
the Columbus Marathon but would appreciate some
input from other runners regarding the best
marathon.

I've gotta go with the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. I've
run it 4 times. It is very well organized, tremendous
crowd support, the course is extremely flat. Most reviews
of marathons rate this one as one of the best.

But stay away if you don't like large crowds. It's a big
race.

The Twin Cities Marathon always gets good reviews, although
it fills quickly and is likely closed for this year already.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(2) Regarding the marathon preparation of increasing
distance over the weeks, does this build muscle to a
certain point then it will be maintained or will the
muscles continue to grow... making the upper leg
muscles bigger?

Distance running will not make the legs that big, unless
your legs are very thin to begin with. Take a look at any
of the better marathon runners. You'll see what I mean.

Quoted message said:

(3) What is the best way to achieve the goal of getting
a flatter stomach and being able to see the ab
muscles?

Lose excess body fat. That, combined with your standard ab
exercise routines. But primarily lose the fat.

My understanding is that most people have enough muscle
definition to have a "six pack" if the layer of abdominal
fat is burned off. OTOH, you can do a billion crunches, but
if you still have a layer of fat you won't have a six-pack.

Good luck in whatever race you decide to do.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Th-
en it was every other day. . . ."
- Homer J. Simpson

Harold Buck said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Phil M. said:

One dark day on Usenet, [email hidden] (TJH) said
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

(3) What is the best way to achieve the goal of getting a
flatter stomach and being able to see the ab muscles?

Lose excess body fat. That, combined with your standard ab
exercise routines. But primarily lose the fat.

My understanding is that most people have enough muscle
definition to have a "six pack" if the layer of
abdominal fat is burned off. OTOH, you can do a billion
crunches, but if you still have a layer of fat you won't
have a six-pack.

Just to chime in - there is no way to spot-reduce, you
simply have to eat less. Most men have to get down to less
than 10% bodyfat to have the visible sixpack. This is
doable, but maintaining it is hell. Or so I am told.

Neil

"Harold Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

My understanding is that most people have enough muscle
definition to have a "six pack" if the layer of
abdominal fat is burned off. OTOH, you can do a billion
crunches, but if you still have a layer of fat you won't
have a six-pack.

I don't know about that: I have a 3/8" fat pinch all around
my waist, about what it was when I had a 7% body fat
measurement, and I run 75+ mpw, and don't have a 6-pack.
(maybe the slightest hint if you've got a good imagination).

So, if I'm at all typical, I think you have to get your abs
stronger than they need to be, artificially big, to get the
6-pack effect. (which is why I view it as a silly vanity
thing, not a measure of real fitness).

Like most of my running buddies, I don't lift at all, other
than groceries and hauling trash bags around.

-- Dan

Dan Stumpus said:

So, if I'm at all typical, I think you have to get your
abs stronger than they need to be, artificially big, to
get the 6-pack effect. (which is why I view it as a silly
vanity thing, not a measure of real fitness).

Stronger than they need to be for running, perhaps. But
those of us who do other sports need some oomph there. For
me, running is cross-training for kendo, judo and
snowboarding, all sports where core strength is a
requirement. So I also lift.

Neil

In article <[email hidden]>,

Neil Gendzwill said:

Just to chime in - there is no way to spot-reduce, you
simply have to eat less. Most men have to get down to less
than 10% bodyfat to have the visible sixpack. This is
doable, but maintaining it is hell. Or so I am told.

I was 7% at the start of my freshman year in college. Youth
is wasted on the young. . . .

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night, and party every day. Th-
en it was every other day. . . ."
- Homer J. Simpson

Neil Gendzwill <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I view it as a silly vanity thing, not a measure of real
fitness).

Quoted message said:

Stronger than they need to be for running, perhaps. But
those of us who do other sports need some oomph there.

You can have some oomph and considerable core strength
without developing the high-definition six-pack, though.

For instance, most Greco-Roman wrestlers, classcial ballet
dancers or cross-country skiers would lose a "my six-pack
is bigger than yours"-contest with an average male
underwear model:-)

Anders (who is too skinny)