Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Thanks for the "Welcome". How long have you been doing music? Did you study it in college? We have a good time. Been doing that for about 8 years. Thanks for checking us out.

I need some help with my marathon time. It's pretty sad. Has this blog spot been very helpful for you? Looks like you're rockin' the time- 2:26 marathon is great.

Tim, I've been playing guitar for 11 years, but not very seriously over the last 5 years or so. To be honest, my skills are gradually diminishing, but I still like to play for church. I'm a definite novice, with no formal education in it. My wife is very gifted and passionate about singing though.

This blog has been pretty helpful, mainly as a motivational tool. The commuity is good too. I found that I have run more consistently and run more miles because I have this venue to log it in, plus since it is public, it gives accountability. No slacking on the blog! If you run consistent mileage every week (50-70 mpw), do one or two longer speed sessions per week, and get your long run in, I guarantee your marathon time will drop!

Paul, You weighed in at 130 lbs. How tall are you?

I'm 6'1".. what is the perfect target weight for me? How low can I healthily weigh?

I don't talk to red meat.

Did you get my e-mail Paul?

I'll give away Paul's secrets. I think he is around 5'8" or 5'9". Maybe 5'10". As for target weight- it really depends on your body type. What type of build do you have?

Medium/normal build. With that, what is the lowest I could weigh while staying healthy?

Roast Beef - I would guess 155-160 pounds out of the blue, but with more data we could probably find a better number. As a rule of thumb, you should aim for the lowest healthy weight you've ever had since you reached your current height.

Alright, alright. I generally don't like to respond to people with fake names, as they are usually trolls, but here goes.

I am 5'9". I have weighed as much as 153lbs. The lowest I have weighed at this height was 123, when I was freshman in high school and had no muscle. I run best when I am 130-135 lbs.

Alan Culpepper is 6'1" and weighs 130lbs. No one can say that he is unhealthy, but he is also a genetic freak in some ways, so he probably shouldn't be your role model. Under 140lbs would definitely be considered underweight. 150-160 is reasonable, assuming you have a runner-build and are doing high mileage with a healthy diet. It's impossible to say though, without seeing you.

Wait, so if I'm 137lbs and 6'1" does this mean that I am too skinny? I never thought I would be that close to Alan Culpepper. Without ever running, I weighed 145 dripping wet out of the shower, but now I weigh anywhere between 135-140 lbs. Even if I ate as much junk food as possible (which I don't), I may gain a pound. Who knows, I guess I'm just weird.

Nick - I would not complain. If you are healthy and naturally weigh that low being that tall it is perfect. There is no such thing as absolute too fat or too skinny even for the given height. You eat healthy, do the mileage, and your weight will find the golden spot. It will be higher for some people than for others.

Nick, consider yourself lucky that you are built that much like Alan Culpepper! Many people would be "too skinny" at that BMI, but it is that genetic makeup that helps make elite runners "elite". Keep running and keep chowin' down on food to fuel that engine!

Guys, thanks for all of your comments and help. I really appreciate it!!

Im 6'1.5 and 139lbs. Gee I feel pretty good considering I push started a car before! Its all relative...

I don't want to talk weight. I sadly topped out at about 170 a few months ago... and I'm 5'10". I'm planning to be down to 150-155 by mid summer, and hopefully maybe 145 by fall marathons. Roast Beef, some of us just aren't as skinny as others. Eat healthy, run a lot, and let your body take care of your weight.

Nick, enjoy your college weight while you can. I found it much easier to eat anything and not put on weight at age 18-25 than at age 27+.