cycling & running. Compatable?

songwriter

Can anyone tell me if these two are compatable? I've ruined my legs with a run two days ago for a ride tommorow. Is asking your legs to endure two stamina taking, thigh burning sports too much?

I'm still going out tomorrow cos i'm hard as nails

I thank you

Garybee

Plenty of triathletes and duathletes would say yes. A friend of mine who is a strong tester reckons running is not helpful to cycling. In my case i don't think it's helpful as when i do a lot of running i lose muscle mass in my legs and the cycling then suffers. I struggle to keep weight on though so it may not be the case for everyone.

GeorgeShaw

In short, yes, there are plenty of triathletes doing both.

But you have to be careful about muscle-balance injuries. I tried to play a friendly football game last year, not having played or run for a couple of years. Despite having done a full set of stretches, I pulled a thigh muscle inside 10 minutes. Apparently cycling makes your quads stronger than your hams, and it's easy to get this injury unless you tune your training properly. It's a very common injury amongst triathletes.

fossyant

Very compatible, but don't do too much at first until your muscles adapt.. Increase by just 10% each time.

You'll have the fitness to do quite a fair distance, but your muscles will complain if you do to much at first.

Mark Alexander

I know someone who is a triathlete, road rider, and has recently given up rugby.
i'm sure he'd disagree with those saying no

rustychisel

not at all.

I continually bang my legs against the pedals and get messed up in the spokes.

jpembroke

It depends what you want to achieve I suppose. I have pretty much given up cycling during the winter months - except for cyclocross races - and concentrate almost entirely on offroad hill running (distances up to 10 miles). For short hard riding like cyclocross and XC mountain biking I think it is beneficial. However, If you are setting your sights on long distance rides, road racing, or sportives then perhaps it's not so useful.

Monty Dog

Runnings a great way of maintaining cardio fitness and losing weight, but the key is to retain suppleness and muscular balance. Many cyclists have muscular imbalance, with tight hamstrings, relatively weak core muscles and so often running results in sore legs and lumbar region. It usually takes me a few weeks to get back into the 'stride' so to speak of running, but once into a regular routine I find I can keep both going pretty well. Mind you, I know that hitting the treadmill tomorrow night for 10km having done no running for a few weeks is gonna hurt.

hammerite

As a runner and a cyclist (OK new to cycling) I found that since cycling my PBs have been more achievable. Not sure whether running helps the cycling though apart from the obvious CV benefits.

jedster

Recently started to go to the gym again (in addition to cycle commuting and the occasional run).

I have naturally strong legs and feeble arms which cycling has exacerbated. When I'm in the gym I focus on core, upper body and leg curls (i.e., trying to work hams). Does this make sense or should I be doing any other leg resistance work to try to balance my legs?

J