Running/Jogging

jimmythecuckoo

I have decided to try and improve my general fitness levels by taking on some running/jogging a couple of times a week in place of cycling.

I have not been enjoying riding TT's with the shoddy weather and increase in traffic so I want split my effort to get a better all round fitness as well as learning a new sport from scratch.

The Triathletes at our club seem to be going well so it might not be such a bad thing for my cycling...

Or will it?

Tom Butcher

People I know that have taken up running in conjunction with cycling seem to go just as well as they did before - in some cases better - although whether they are doing the same amount of cycling plus running I don't know.

nasahapley

If improving general (i.e. not cycling specific) fitness is the goal, then replacing a bit of your weekly time on the bike with time out running will almost certainly do the job. An hour of running will usually be more demanding cv-wise than an hour's cycling, and since it's different muscle groups being used you should find that you can still do your normal rides the day after running, even though your running muscles ache like mad!

What's not as clear is whether you could replace some of your cycling with running and still be just as good on the bike. From my own experience I would say up to a point you can; I've always been just as keen a runner as a cyclist, and when I've spent a month doing almost nothing but running in preparation for an event I've found that I can get back on the bike and be up to speed within days, and often a bit faster. If you've built up a good level of cycling fitness it won't be affected by a bit of running, and the extra cv load may even help.

If you can try to run off-road as much as possible, it's more interesting, a bit more of a challenge, drastically reduces your chances of injury and (I find) is much better than the road when the weather's bad. Good luck!

jimmythecuckoo

Thanks, I am looking forward to seeing how the next few weeks pan out and how my training goes.

st68

i run as well as cycle it helps train different groups of muscles in your legs i find for me it really helped my cv fitness but took a little while to get used too dont overdo it at first is my best advice

jimmythecuckoo

Well I ran Sunday, span on the bike for half an hour last night and am going to train properly tonight.

Next running is in the calendar for Friday... but whether I get a night off the bike before then (I have been so busy the last couple of months that I have barely had any cycling time) I am not sure.

I am just enjoying the mix to my training.

andrewgturnbull

HI jimmy.

Make sure you get good shoe advice. You'll be fitter than most who are taking up running from scratch, so you'll soon find yourself running further and harder. This can just speed up the process of picking up injuries as your body is not used to the running action.

If you haven't done so already, go to a local specialist shop, who should get you running on a treadmill (or outside in the street), analyse your gait and recommend you the _right_ pair of shoes. Don't be afraid to spend close to £100 - your knees are worth it.

Cheers, Andy

BlackHelmet

It's sure a great alternative to cycling, especially when the weathers poor, it's dark outside or you just don't want to go out on the roads again. I too love the variety and since starting more serious run training (again) at the beginning of last year my cycling has certainly improved (even though I cycle less now and at a lower quality).

BlackHelmet

Certainly agree that if you plan to keep up with the running then getting your gait analysed for the right shoes is very important.

And I think you'll find we're runners. Joggers wear fleecy jogging bottoms and headbands - a different breed and best avoided

Swannie

BlackHelmet wrote:

And I think you'll find we're runners. Joggers wear fleecy jogging bottoms and headbands - a different breed and best avoided

Hey, I run in fleecy jogging bottoms...
...
Actually, I haven't... not very much at all... since maybe March.

:-) Seem to have lost my lovely little Merino skull cap... just perfect for keeping the heat in, but letting the sweat out in the winter :-(

Alibran

nasahapley wrote:

If you can try to run off-road as much as possible, it's more interesting, a bit more of a challenge, drastically reduces your chances of injury and (I find) is much better than the road when the weather's bad. Good luck!

I picked up my worst injury running off-road. Running down the coast path at a good pace, tripped over a rock and ..... let's just say, ouch! Nothing broken, fortunately, but the bruising was pretty spectacular, and it was a couple of weeks before my body could stand the jarring of running again.

fudbeer

If you can add swimmimg you may want to cosider a triathlon I just started doing them and really enjoy them.