Weight Loss to Gain Speed

If you take your training seriously, you, like me are trying to find ways to get faster. Over the years I have come across some articles that refer to weight loss (fat loss is what we are referring to of course) as a secret weapon to getting faster. Basically, the rule of thumb is that for every pound of fat loss we experience we gain about 0.5% of speed potential time.

As an example for an 11:00 IM Athlete that loses 20 lbs should have gained enough speed potential to cross his/her next IM finish line in 10:00. Wow! That is insane.

For me, presently I weigh 182.5 lbs at a body fat percent of ~ 22%, which is in the acceptable range. My goal is to be down to 165 lbs at a body fat percent of ~ 13%, which is in the athlete range. The goal is to get there before my planned Boston Qualifier Marathon on May 10. In theory, this weight loss should come with the benefit of 8.75% gain in speed potential.

Here's to eating right!

Mikey