I'm sure many of you are already aware of this article on about.com It reviews a couple of studies that try to explain why swimmers tend to have more body fat than other athletes.
Thought if you weren't aware of the article you might find it interesting.
swimming.about.com/.../offsite.htm
Lainey
Parents
Former Member
From a "non-swimmer" point of view, as a skinny kid I was a fast runner. Surprise I ran competitively as a distance runner (PRs of 4:11 mile and 32:48 10K).
I read y'all talk about doing four events over a weekend meet as super-human. The total distance is 200-400M and you tapered for two weeks.
For a sprint Tri, I may take a day or two off and just reduce intensity for a day or two, but when I race its 80-90% for over an hour. There may be a cultural difference in expected intensity of the workload.
I find on my running days, I crave salty things and usually eat a sandwich or salad. After swimming, its all I can do not to get doughnuts.
I too lost my abs from last year after concentrating on swimming. Then my wife told me I was slouching more from swimming. When I stood up straight...there they were!
I think you are right its unfair to compare swimming (as a whole) to distance running. When I was competitive I was 5'10" and 104 lbs. Why not compare against Shot putters!?!
IMO: If you compare a Pro middle distance runner, cyclist, and swimmer; the swimmer wins hands down for best physique.
My question about fat kids is when did girls start getting a spare tire? I thought old men did. Is that from the hormones is the food? Fat boys seems to be just the same as when I was a kid.
From a "non-swimmer" point of view, as a skinny kid I was a fast runner. Surprise I ran competitively as a distance runner (PRs of 4:11 mile and 32:48 10K).
I read y'all talk about doing four events over a weekend meet as super-human. The total distance is 200-400M and you tapered for two weeks.
For a sprint Tri, I may take a day or two off and just reduce intensity for a day or two, but when I race its 80-90% for over an hour. There may be a cultural difference in expected intensity of the workload.
I find on my running days, I crave salty things and usually eat a sandwich or salad. After swimming, its all I can do not to get doughnuts.
I too lost my abs from last year after concentrating on swimming. Then my wife told me I was slouching more from swimming. When I stood up straight...there they were!
I think you are right its unfair to compare swimming (as a whole) to distance running. When I was competitive I was 5'10" and 104 lbs. Why not compare against Shot putters!?!
IMO: If you compare a Pro middle distance runner, cyclist, and swimmer; the swimmer wins hands down for best physique.
My question about fat kids is when did girls start getting a spare tire? I thought old men did. Is that from the hormones is the food? Fat boys seems to be just the same as when I was a kid.
