Running during the winter, anyone?
Ramanujan
Posts: 352
I've started running for a bit of variety during the winter. I hate cycling when it's really cold and wet and dark.
However, one thing I've noticed is that my legs are killing me!
I've been doing it about 3 weeks now and started off with short 2 mile runs. I'm now up to about 7 or 8 miles but my legs feel like they've been put through a mincer. I'm pretty sure it's the impact of running on hard ground that I'm struggling with. My legs just aren't used to it.
Also, I'm incredibly slow.
I run around Hyde Park at lunchtimes and I get overtaken by just about everyone....young office girls, old men ...the lot! ...even when I push quite hard.
I'm pretty fit cycling wise: sub 1 hour 25 and an average 3rd cat. Surely I should be better at running than this, or am I expecting too much too soon?
Any observations appreciated.
However, one thing I've noticed is that my legs are killing me!
I've been doing it about 3 weeks now and started off with short 2 mile runs. I'm now up to about 7 or 8 miles but my legs feel like they've been put through a mincer. I'm pretty sure it's the impact of running on hard ground that I'm struggling with. My legs just aren't used to it.
Also, I'm incredibly slow.
I run around Hyde Park at lunchtimes and I get overtaken by just about everyone....young office girls, old men ...the lot! ...even when I push quite hard.
I'm pretty fit cycling wise: sub 1 hour 25 and an average 3rd cat. Surely I should be better at running than this, or am I expecting too much too soon?
Any observations appreciated.
0
Posts
Also, outside of the CV benefit, I'm not convinced about the cross training, as thinking about the action makes me suspect that muscle groups are used differently - also much more hamstring involved in running I would think (someone feel free to correct me!)
http://www.cobr.co.uk/e-cobr_information/t_and_r_section/sections/cycle_training/cross_training/running.shtml
If you're going to keep going, please do make sure you get proper trainers - runnersworld or somewhere similar (there's one place down by Victoria I remember) will do you a proper fitting including videoing your running style. It really shocked me how much my feet collapse inwards (over pronating) when running, and I would never run distance in "not proper" shoes again!
- eccolafilosofiadelpedale
- running is great in Winter, compared to cycling in the dark or ice and snow.
And it's very social in the running club.
(I tried tri but it reminded me just how much I hate swimming...)
Yes, they're completely different things. Both require and develop good CV fitness, but use rather different muscle groups.
Take it slowly. Your and joints (hips, knees, ankles, the lot) are not used to impact, your muscles not used to eccentric contractions you get trying to both cushion the landing and then stride through and push off.
Keep at it and it'll get better. Increase your mileage slowly - if you've gone from zero to 7 or 8 miles in 3 weeks, that's far too much : rule of thumb is 10% increase a week !
After you've got more used to it you can think about going quicker, starting speedwork, but initially you want a good base, so don't worry about being slow.
Try to run on softer surfaces - off road on grass or mud, or on an artificial running track.
Tarmac is pretty hard, but concrete or flagstones is really hard.
And like the man said, get some decent shoes : go to a proper running shop, not your local JJB Sports or similar chain, and expect to pay £40-50 at the least, up to maybe £100+...(how much are your bike shoes ?)
Expect the running shoes to wear-out in perhaps 500 miles...they'll still look OK, you won't have worn-out the soles or anything, but they won't shock-absorb in the way they need to.
If you're running in Hyde Park, maybe have a look at Serpentine running club ?
Your speed will increase as your mileage increases - don't worry about being slow. In fact buiding up your mileage so quickly may have contributed to your slow speed. If you cut back you may find your speed increasing. And remember the people who are overtaking you may have been running for years.
Running on softer surfaces is good advice but again you need to cautious about this as running on uneven surfaces needs to be developed slowly as well. And do get some shoes from a running shop - they need to assess your gait to provide you with the appropiate shoes.
Can't add much to the advice that's already been given, particularly re running off-road if at all possible. I know it may not be the same in London as in t'Dales but your joints will thank you for it. The only thing I'd quibble with is sticking religiously to the 10% increase per week thing - especially as you're already fit from cycling - if you can eventually manage 7-8 miles ok then trying 10 or thereabouts won't kill you if you go out a bit slower.
Tuesday I did about 5 miles and my right hip hurt really badly (an old cycling injury from a crash) as well as my lower left leg and knee but again I stupidly ran through the pain. Today Wednesday, it feels like my legs have siezed up. It's painful just to walk.
I’m going to back off the distance I think . I have been trying to run on the grass but yesterday it was raining and so I stayed on the paths.
Just as an aside, i had my first run for 6 weeks (following a cycling accident) on Monday. 2 miles - absolutely knackered! My previous run was a marathon, which just goes to show how quickly you can de-train! :?
Hope this all helps!
Rich
However, I also got some "body pain" when I started running, primarily my ankles. That went with time, and I learnt when it was ok for me to "run through it" and when I should call it off...
- eccolafilosofiadelpedale
I tend to be an all or nothing sort of person. I need to restrain that side, i think.
One observation I have :
Running and cycling seems to be unrelated in terms of fitness.
It seems to me that cycling uses a combination of strength and CV fitness, whereas running seems to be primarily about CV fitness and technique .
When I was at school ( a long time ago) I was incredibly bad at any sports that involved running. I was always in the last 3 or 4 ( out of about 50) in cross country races and dead last in any track and field stuff over 100m.
Whilst I'm innately censored , and always have been,at any kind of running, I've always been quite strong physically. And I think this is where I've made up for my poor-ish CV system on the bike, by being 'strong'.
Don't know whether this makes any sense or not. Maybe I need to put the crack pipe down when I post. :?:
After reading that, I take back my previous comment re not worrying about the +10% per week rule; you might want to do -10% for a while! Just out of interest, what sort of shoes are you running in? I assume they're road shoes, but how old are they? I ask because while I can happily knock out 10+ miles day after day if I've got the right shoes on, if I have to do more than a few miles on road with my fell shoes (which have virtually no cushioning), then I too get trouble with my lower legs and knees. If your running shoes are getting on a bit, or if you walk around in them day-to-day (which usually wears the heel out a lot quicker than running), then a nice new pair with lots of cushioning may make a big difference.
Great..... zero + 10% = zero
Think I'll stay on the sofa!!!
It is getting on my nerves because I could feel the difference it fitness!
It is getting on my nerves because I could feel the difference it fitness!
To the OP, for about the first month of running I had sore bits and aches nearly all of the time. I think your body needs a bit of "breaking in" when you first start off running. Once you get used to it you'll be flying along.
I know exactly what you mean - if I spend a few months doing a lot of cycling I start to get a bit bored of seeing the same roads over and over, sorting out all the kit and washing the bike. I'll start to do a load more running instead and think that's ace for a while, but then after a few months I'll get bored of the same running routes, start going out on the bike more and remember why that's so much fun all over again! Not really a problem as such, but if I could just stick to one thing I might actually get quite good at it!
I did a fair bit of trail running in my early 20's in rural Hertfordshire. It's what running is all about IMHO: alone running through tracks in pine forests, not seeing anyone for hours. It's unbeatable I reckon.
Running around a rainy Hyde Park at lunctimes whilst dodging tourists and other runners really isn't that inspiring.It's a nice change from cycling though.
you'll almost certainly injure yourself by doing too much/going to fast with your residual cycling fitness - be that a minor twinge or a fullon stress fracture or muscle strain.
in other words, cycling is great cross training for runners, running is censored cross training for cyclists.
All IMHO of course
Obsessed is just a word elephants use to describe the dedicated. http://markliversedge.blogspot.com
...or if, y'know, you happen to enjoy it
Totally agree that time on a rowing machine is worthwhile though, if you can get for rowing you'll be fit for almost any endurance sport.
I've been turbo-ing for the last few years in the winter and it is driving me insane.
I can force myself to do it but the bottom line is I don't enjoy it.
ATM I'm enjoying running despite the pain.
Last year I got my FTP up from 270w in november to around 330w in April, but it just killed my motivation. I'd much rather do something I enjoy and worry about fitness in the early spring. I might hop back on the turbo then
Hi there.
Funnily enough the cross over from runners to cycling is generally more successful then cyclists who try their hand at running.
One thing that good runners understand is how to suffer properly!
Cheers, Andy
http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
East of Scotland XC league is free. I'm not sure what otehr clubs do, but my running club (Central AC) picks up the entire cost
;-)
http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk
Which is why i don't run unless someone is chasing me with a big axe.
FCN :- -1
Given up waiting for Fast as Fupp to start stalking me
Happen often?
- eccolafilosofiadelpedale
True that; when I used to row it amazed me how many people would spend ages getting their rowing technique just right, but when it came to running took the view that 'running's just running' and ended up knackering themselves. Suppose you get the same thing with cycling too.
FCN :- -1
Given up waiting for Fast as Fupp to start stalking me