Foreman explains how he built up his endurance in his comeback

If that’s the case then why am I unable to run more than about a kilometre (1.6 mi) without having to pull up? I am forty, weigh 90kgs (200lbs) in quite good (but not great) shape, & do sprint training. Is this simply a matter of practice?

 

Are they 250?

 

As a chronic long-distance runner, I know exactly what he means when he talks about conquering the initial pain and feeling like you could run forever. It took me over a year of training to get to where I'm at now but almost suddenly, something "clicked" and I could do 12-15 mile sessions multiple times a week. Awesome quote from Big George.

 

A lot of it comes down to biomechanics, there is also a genetic component, and yes being a big guy doesn't help.

As for your case, I woudl need to perform an analysis, and then I might be able to bring about some improvement.

 

Honest to god, I have seen a guy who looked clinically obese complete a 100km race, and one with quite tough cutoffs at that.

Some people have just got it.

 

I’m not genetically disposed to distance I don’t think, & I don’t attempt it - when I say run a km or so that’s just if I needed to get somewhere in a hurry.

 

Might I ask where the pain happens.

What is the mode of failure?

 

Just seemingly poor cardio although I do sprints four times a week & seem to have a pretty high pain threshold for that. Maybe I’m used to those short breaks between reps you don’t get in jogging.

 

So no biomechanical problems as such, just struggling to get the cardio up?

 

Yeah. The constant motion gets to me pretty quick. When I was younger, in my mid-20’s, I combined the sprints with jogs of about 7kms, though I pushed no further than that. I do remember improving with repetition back then. I have no bone or joint issues - I’m a little heavier than I’d like to be but not by too much (about 7kgs over my prime weight).

Probably if I put effort into jogging regularly I suppose it might go away. Sprinting is what I’m better at though, & I’m somewhat time-poor, so it saves on workout length.

This will sound stupid, too, because it is, but I have a hard time breathing properly during any exercise. I tend to hold or limit my breath during the actual workout. I can suck it back in during a sprint on the break, but probably I’m not breathing well while jogging & don’t have the benefit of a “re-set” because there are no breaks.

 

Yo be honest that is one of the easier things to address for most people.

If you just keep upping the distance, and don't worry too much about the pace, then eventually it should be like you have a pair of wings on your back.

 

I did used to enjoy jogging, it’s more therapeutic than sprinting & requires an interestingly different psychological mindset but I had more time in my schedule for it in my 20’s.

I think I probably shied away from it too in part because there is some science out there which says sprints are a better workout in less time.

 

I have endless cardio, but rarely run more than five miles because something in my legs, such as my groin, will start hurting. Are you saying to just run through the pain?

I also don't actually train to run. I just do it once in awhile if I feel like it or am near a beach.

 

I know he said he felt more comfortable but not sure if he really benefited from all the extra fat he hauled around for most of his second career?

I think if he had the nutritionists and trainers that modern pro athletes have, he could have fought at a relatively trim 235-240, that would have been more than enough to hang around with the 90s HWs.

 

I can’t help but occasionally wonder how Foreman would have performed if he’d been still in really good shape during his comeback? Like a Heavyweight Hopkins kind of thing. Obviously he’d have been superior in every way to what we got, but it could’ve made matches with Tyson, Bowe, Holyfield, Lewis interesting (or more interesting).