Does Running get Substantially Faster with Weight Loss?

[BlackFlame23]

So I was wondering if running paces drastically increase when you lose weight. Of course, since I am running to lose weight as my main source of exercise, I will just become a better and faster runner the more that I run regardless of the loss of weight. But I'm curious if I go from my 6'0, 200 lbs down to my ideal 6'0, 155-160 lbs if I'll just notice it become a lot easier and will be able to go substantially faster. Or will I just have to find a way to really train my body to run faster in shorter sections, like a 1/2 mile at a fast pace and then up it to a mile, etc.

Based on my knowledge of physics I'm using 125% of the energy required to really move myself than I would at my ideal weight. But I don't know if that translates to an 80% faster pace just naturally or not really.

[SebringDon]

@BlackFlame23

I'll answer your question with a question. 🙂

Do you run faster or slower if you're carrying a 40-pound suitcase?

Drop the suitcase and I'm sure you'll see your times improve. 🙂

I'm not a runner, but I know that after losing over 25 pounds I have to move faster to get active minutes. When I started out I could get active minutes walking to the mailbox. Almost that easy, anyway.

[too_spicy]

Absolutely, yes. I was very lean while I was running before I suffered an injury. When I tried to start running after recovering, I noticed that I was WAAAY slower. Partially because of deconditioning, and also because I'd packed on 10+ lbs. Now that I've lost the weight again, running is so much easier.

[Dominique]

Yes, everything gets easier when you are lighter, especially if you are able to preserve (or even gain) muscle mass. Even 10 kg (22 lbs) makes a big difference. That’s more or less what I lost (from 75 to 65 kg). Now that I do weighted chin-ups, I can see what it would be like to lift my previous, heavier self. I also bought a 10 kg weighted vest, to make walking more challenging (and burn more calories). Being overweight is like performing a workout all the time, by simply carrying the extra weight around.

[Mukluk4]

What do you consider drastic?

Weight loss will speed you up, but weight training and/or specific training in your legs (such as vertical jump training) will provide more bang for your buck.

[Corbet]

I have lost about 50# and have taken my pace from a dreadfully slow pace of about 14:00 per mile for 5k to 9:40 per mile for 5k. To start I could only do one 5k run a week now I run four days a week with 5k as the shortest run of the week.

How much improvement is from weight loss and how much is from training, I couldn't tell you.

[Mukluk4]

Most of that will come from training.

Endurance training comes in two forms, long distance/sustained activity and short repeatable bursts.

Basketball players and American Football players train for short bursts and in most cases are not great 5K runners.

Soccer/Football players train for sustained activity.

[emili]

everything is easier with less weight, so yes, you will run faster if you choose to. I do. However, straight running causes muscle breakdown. I don't know if you considered doing some form of strength training, but you may want to. It will not slow you down and will actually improve your performance and endurance.

[DominicJ]

"So I was wondering if running paces drastically increase when you lose weight. Of course, since I am running to lose weight"

In my experience yes, my increased 5k running speed was almost directly proportional to my weight loss

I started at 38 minutes and finished at 25 minutes.

If memory serves, 33-25 was a function of weight.