Originally posted by ejglows
I have just finished reading the `gymming` post and have come to a few conclusions about myself. I was a Division 1 college athlete in a `burst` sport. I added muscle rather than endurance and now 2 years later I am having trouble changing my body type. I know this has to do with genetics AND training. I am a woman (5`2", 130, 17%Body fat) and have a hell of a time shedding the extra mass. It seems the more I train, regardless of type of exercise, I still get big.
My question here is, do I have hope to become an endurance athlete? Should I expect years of training to change the composition of my muscle (fast to slow twitch fibers)? In University I was fed protein powders/supplements because I was (am) a veggie and I now find it hard to simply consume enough protein `au naturale.` I thought that this would actually help!
Any suggestions will help...
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We must be somehow related. I've even gained size & weight riding the bike for 1.5 - 2.5 hours at a time 4 - 5 days per week! My Cousin, who is a personal trainer, is amazed. The only thing we can think of to explain this is that I must be made mostly fast twitch fibers. I actually weigh 22 LBS more than I did last summer but my bodyfat % is lower. Thank God!
I measured my arms and legs a couple of weeks ago and the ol' biceps were 19" and my thighs measured 28". That's as large as they've ever been, even when I was a strappin' young lad 20 years ago when I only lifted weights for bodybuilding! This is while riding 8 - 10 hours per week between 70% - 80% Max Heart Rate and lifting weights every 5 - 6 days a week doing about 3 - 4 sets per bodypart. During the summer months I only lift for upper body because I want to save my legs for the bike. I don't recouperate like I used to. So with virtually no weight lifting for my legs they're as large as ever.
Obviously, my body type has
not changed. However, I am able to increase my level of aerobic conditioning. My resting heart rate is around 55 BPM after slightly more than 1 year of somewhat consistant training. I will never be able to compete with the leaner red twitch kind of guys at cycling. However, if they want to arm wrestle ...!
To answer your question, "Are you going to be able to become an endurance athlete?" Based on the information you've provided and without knowing you better I would have to answer no. I'm sorry if that's not what you would like to hear but with such a predisposition toward white fast twitch muscle fiber and a propensity toward muscular weight gain it is highly unlikely. This is why people like us tend to gravitate toward "burst" sports. People tend to enjoy things better when they are successful at them. That's why the tall lanky kids ran cross-country or played basketball and the stocky guys ran sprints, did shot put or played football. It's just more natural for them.
That being said you should not give up. I'm enjoying the crapola out of cycling. It gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment when I can cover the same mileage while noting a decrease in my working heart rate. Yesterday's ride was 2 hours long and my average heart rate was 83% of Max and today I feal friggin'
great! I can't wait to get back out on that bike again today, even though I suck at it!