Post by texassmith on Aug 18, 2013 16:52:46 GMT -5
I've been watching the Track and Field World Championships this weekend, and noticing all the long distance runners are thin thin thin while the sprinters are the ripped ones. I'm not overweight or anything, but my legs are large and very muscular. Very. I guess much of it is genetic...the rail thin ones excel in long distances because they are naturally built that way. But why do they stay that way even with so much running? I hardly do any lower body strength because I don't want my gams to get even bigger than they already are.
I don't know what my question is, really. Just rambling
My legs are always big. Like, complicate-finding-jeans big, and complicate-buying-boots big, both my quads and calves. When I'm training well, they're big but well defined. When I'm in a lazy phase, they're big and soft.
I've more or less come to terms with the fact that at 5'2", I'm never going to look long and lean. Powerful is my best option, so I strive for that Bonus: My calves look pretty awesome in heels.
ETA: This was earlier this month. I have not been doing amazing training, so my quads are a little soft. There is no getting smaller.
My thighs have always been big. Even when I was a dancer, just thick solid muscle. I haven't been a runner for long enough that it could have any chance against my genetics (a year), but I think I could run for the rest of my life and it wouldn't change.
Post by katandkevin on Aug 18, 2013 17:01:24 GMT -5
I have big quads, but I think it is from being a swimmer. I know the broad shoulders certainly are. It's probably a good thing I don't look like a runner because I am not very good at it.
I have muscular calves and quads, I think they are my best feature!!
I'm not necessarily complaining about it. Both my mom and DH regularly tell me I have such nice legs, so that's good But I am a little self-conscious about them sometimes.
Post by foundmylazybum on Aug 18, 2013 17:39:10 GMT -5
I think compared to sprinters--distance runners have thinner legs--but I always have thought they are muscular...like horse!
Sprinters actively lift on their legs to build and support those muscles, it's not the norm for distance runners to do a ton of weight lifting on their legs.
I'd say very little of either body shape is actually genetic--a lot is based on training, diet etc.
I've seen some distance runners out there with some pretty big legs actually.
I have muscular calves and quads, I think they are my best feature!!
I'm not necessarily complaining about it. Both my mom and DH regularly tell me I have such nice legs, so that's good But I am a little self-conscious about them sometimes.
I have kind of flabby thighs but my calves are big and very toned. I get a lot of comments on them and I don't really like them. I wish they were thin and dainty, lol. It's funny because even before I worked out I had very muscular calves. The only thing I can think of is that I wore very large, high shoes for many years so maybe that strengthened them?
I have great calves from dancing for years. Now one is bigger than the other thanks to surgery. My thighs have always been bigger--thanks mom and dad for calling me thunder thighs as a kid--no complex about it at all! they support my ample booty that I love though!
My legs are skinny and long. I'm also 6ft and find long pants sucks! I don't know that I fancy myself better at either (sprinting or long distance). Since I started running about 1.5 years ago, I have notice my calves have gotten more defined and toned. I think thats partly due to marathon training and the amount I run now. I don't do any working out with weights though.
This is from my race in June. You cant see my lower legs too well due to the compression socks, but your not missing much!
I was rail thin as a child and as soon as I hit puberty I gained some pretty muscular thighs and calves. They've since then been on the bigger side regarless of my activity level - when I'm lifting and working out they stay mostly the same size, just change in consistency from fat to muscle.
My legs are long, I have awesome calves and my quads have gotten a lot more definition since starting marathon training. They can be kind of a pain sometimes, but overall, I really like them
My quads and calves are getting bigger as I run more and more. Jeans are so difficult to fit into comfortably - I try to go up a size but the waist is huge:(
My quads and calves are getting bigger as I run more and more. Jeans are so difficult to fit into comfortably - I try to go up a size but the waist is huge:(
This. My calves are definitely big, but my quads - holy hell they're huge.
I second FMLB's comments that training, weights, nutrition will definitely effect legs the most. Sprinters have to train for that explosive speed & build up fast twitch muscles, where as distance runners need more slow twitch fibers & endurance. Genetics certainly play a role though, especially for us non-elite people who can't/don't train full time.
I think I have rather normal runner legs. (Not super thin or big, slightly muscled but I'd like to work on more.) This is from a couple summers ago, but still one of my best race photos. I still look pretty much the same as far as I can tell.
Post by artgirl823 on Aug 18, 2013 21:15:04 GMT -5
Ha, I was just told the other day that I have a sprinter's body. I just took some measurements, and apparently I have a 25" waist and 14.5" calves. As one of my coworkers put it "You weigh like 85 lbs but 70 of them are your calves."