Female athletes/runners - muscular legs

Pittleydink

These women you are noticing may look really muscular and strong but it's just an illusion. Mostly because they have a short, squatty build that makes them look really thick but they really aren't. It's like looking at a muscular gymnast. On TV they look SO built but if you see them in real life they are just tiny.
And as far as them being stronger than you, it's likely not true. An average guy could out muscle most women who lift heavy weights regularly, even in lower body strength.

lithezebra

My legs are naturally muscular and curvy. I just have big muscles there. I used to hate it. I even thought about trying to lose muscle mass (bad idea). Then I decided that if they were going to be big, they ought to be strong too. I did a lot of sports when I was a kid, and Irish stepdancing. I don't think that exercise as a kid would have a permanent effect, but I have total Irish dancer calves, and my sister, who wasn't as sporty, is quite willowy.