Big body? Take your time to enjoy marathon distances, Free Press Marathon finishers say

People don't get tall by playing basketball — and they don't get thin by running marathons.

Still, studies of exercise show that plus-size individuals benefit both mentally and physically on running paths to fitness. Some, after changing diets as well as exercise habits, do lose weight.

Not Byron Clouse, 37, of Curran. Running doesn't burn off his pounds because he's not obese, just a big guy, he said.

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"I weigh 220 pounds today and my weight is always around that," he said Sunday.

Despite finishing Sunday's Detroit Free Press Marathon, Clouse isn't a daily runner. To the contrary: He said he was so busy all summer with his family's grocery business that he took only short training runs, a few times a week. His longest training run this year was 14 miles.

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Sunday's event was Clouse's first Detroit marathon and his second marathon ever.

Still, he's no couch potato. He likes lifting weights, which keeps off body fat. And he's a fan for how good a run can make him feel.

Besides sporting a tongue-in-cheek headband that said, "I give in to beer pressure," he wore a wide grin after finishing in 5 hours, 14 minutes and 14 seconds, for a mile pace of 12 minutes flat. One key to his success? He gives himself permission to walk.

"I want to smile at the finish line. So if I need to walk, I walk. I finished this and I'm happy. I encourage anyone with any body type to try it," he said.

Danielle Stephens, 37, of Fraser, said running gives her "me time" away from the family and youngsters she loves.

"I have two kids and 130 more at Mount Clemens High School," the English teacher said with a laugh. Stephens teaches English. On Sunday, she powered through the half marathon at 5-foot-3 and 170 pounds, finishing in 3:32:55, which gave her a mile pace of 16:15.

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"I've always been big. My weight fluctuates. It has my whole life," Stephens said.

Running gives her stamina and a mental lift, especially when she reaches a goal, she said.

"For those of us in the back of the pack, it's not about speed. It's about endurance. It's a mental challenge. It's me versus myself," she said.

The boost she got from other runners and bystanders was essential, Stephens said.

"With running, everybody is so supportive. I must've had my name called out 20 times," she said, mentioning her bib where "Danielle" was printed.  

Experts say that plus-size athletes should be sure to have running shoes fitted at stores that specialize in running shoes. And they should replace their shoes often.

Dr. Richard Lampman, an exercise physiologist, former triathlete and longtime member of the research committee at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, had more tips for runners with large body types: Take a short stride; land on your heels, never on toes, and drink plenty of liquids before and during runs.

Anyone who is seriously overweight should check with a doctor before starting a vigorous exercise program, Lampman added.

Contact Bill Laitner: blaitner@freepress.com