Sport Gaining weight fears

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To start with, I'm underweight and I'd really like to gain weight. Right now, I'm 5'11 at 137lbs, with my goal being 165-170lbs. I'm a senior in High School and a very avid long distance runner. If I gain that weight, do you think it could slow me down for the track season, specifically for the mile and 2mile? This is my one big fear about gaining the weight.

Thanks,
Jordan
 
You need to get over that fear. It's scary to see the scale go up, but if your goal is to put on weight, then that is going to happen. Systematically increase your calories instead of ramping them up right away. Try to eat cleaner foods rather than pig out on junk food. Also, only step on the scale every couple weeks, or once of month even. The scale will only tell you your weight, nothing about how much muscle you may be gaining.

Also, being a long distance runner, it will be hard to gain weight. And unfortunately, gaining too much weight will slow you down. You're looking to put on 30+ pounds, and this may make you feel better about the way you look, but it may not be the best thing for your running.

What you can do is make a choice. Is running something you love to do? Will you be doing it next year? You can maintain the physique you have until track season is over, then start putting on weight.

Hope this helps :)
 
That actually gives me a whole new perspective I didn't even think about. I'll probably run next year, but not competitively, I'm decently fast in long distance but really don't have a shot at the college track/cc level. I like your advice, I think I'll try to get to around 150 for the track season and after that's over, try to get myself to around 170. I just really don't like being as skinny as I am (which I'm like super thin), and it seems like I never gain any muscle when I workout =x

Thanks for the advice
 
I'm only 5' 10" or so and I didn't notice a real difference in my distance running capability until I got over about 175 pounds or so (I started running cross country in high school at 145 pounds and did a lot of distance running in the military at body weights ranging from 145-195 pounds). I did definately notice a big difference when my weight went over 185 pounds, although I wonder if it had a lot to do with body fat levels rather than just total body weight, since at below 180 pounds my body fat level was 4-8%, and over 185 pounds my body fat was up in the 12%+ range.
 
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