July 13, 2004

Are British middle-distance runners starving themselves?: Being overweight causes problems for athletes because the body must needlessly supply energy and oxygen to fuel surplus fatty tissue. Lose the extra weight and oxygen goes instead to the working muscles, enabling faster and more efficient running, Dr Hulley says. But it is easy to overstep the mark.

"There is a very thin line between an optimum racing weight for athletes and becoming too thin," she says. "Lose too much weight and you start to lose muscle mass. You become too weak to train, more prone to viruses and injuries like stress fractures and your performance goes downhill sharply."

posted by Ufez Jones to other at 10:08 AM - 4 comments

Is anyone else imagining a particularly inspiring ralphing montage set to music in Chariots of Fire II?

posted by rcade at 11:52 AM on July 13, 2004

Which reminds me - Is it Mary Kate or Ashley that's the fat one? However, all these distance runners are supposed to be the most fit of the fit, yet they all look like slightly warm death. I used to hand out water at the Toronto marathon and I had to stop myself from offering a sandwich or donut to these emaciated athletes. Ya know, just wasn't my place to do that.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:59 PM on July 13, 2004

However, all these distance runners are supposed to be the most fit of the fit, yet they all look like slightly warm death. Endurance athletes in general give me that vibe. The exception is some of the Tour de France boyos, who look more like emaciated party animals (which, perhaps, is what they are).

posted by lil_brown_bat at 06:19 PM on July 13, 2004

"Endurance athletes in general give me that vibe." So do Mary Kate and Ashley.

posted by BigDaddy at 11:48 PM on July 16, 2004

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