Running

richard36

Hi

For those of you that incorporate running into their training schedule how much running do you do each week, and do you find it really helps build up your fitness? Also do you find that running helps you ride your bike harder and for longer?

I suppose what I'm really asking is whether the muscles you develop whilst running are the same sort of muscles that you use when cycling. If they are then I assume running is a good form of cross training.

Would appreciate your views.

Richard

ut_och_cykla

I JOG (not run - little speed involved!!) 10 -20 kms a week at most in 2-3 chunks. Yes it helps me maintian some fitness that would be lost as I don't like to ride outside much in southern Swedish winters. The muscles used are the same , but in a differnt way and the heart and blood supply is the same naturally.
If you want to be a good cyclist then clearly cycling is best but if you're more after 'keeping fit ' so you can enjoy bikes in the summer running with a bit of spinning or trainer work seems to work well in the winter.
There are/have been some top-level cyclist who don't cycle year round or change disciplines without any obvious detriment. But no doubt someone will be along to say only 2x 20 is worth doing 10 times a week or soemthing equally sillly :roll:
have fun, work towards your goals systematically adn choose running (or weight training for that matter) accordingly.

Eat My Dust

I've started doing 2 x 10km runs a week with the occassional 17/18km thrown in. This is on top of 200km a week cycling. 2 things I've noticed: 1, when my legs are hurting from the running, I can get on the bike and the sore muscles have no negative effect on my cycling, I would think this is because I'm using different muscle groups. 2, the weight loss. I'm done to 12st from 13st 1lb in 7 weeks. This has made a HUGE difference to my cycling and I'm now flying up the hills and generally feeling great about the whole sitution!

richard36

Thanks to you both for your replies

Eat My Dust - great to hear you've lost some weight! Why do you think that's down to the running and not the cycling?

Richard

Eat My Dust

Richard36 wrote:

Thanks to you both for your replies

Eat My Dust - great to hear you've lost some weight! Why do you think that's down to the running and not the cycling?

Richard

I've been cycling this kind of mileage for a few years and my weight has always pretty much stayed the same, so it's definitely down to the running.