running instead of riding

GyatsoLa

I'm aiming to do a 200km cyclesportif in June - I regularly ride 100km routes, but I've never done anything above about 150km before.

My usual weekly training is a 3 hour plus ride on sunday, and during the week 3 short high intensity sessions on my fixie (I do about 10 x 20 second sprints), 2 morning runs of about 5 km each, about 2-3 hours bike time commuting, etc., and a pilates session.

The question I have is about running. Due to the crap weather the past week or so, I've been riding less, but running a bit more (tired of cleaning out my bike and kit). Is there a point where too much running becomes counterproductive for training for a long ride? Or is all 'exercise' good for endurance? Should I tail off the running in the week or two before the ride?

GavH

Running will improve your CV and maybe even enhance your leg strength but will do nothing at all for improving your ability to sit in the saddle and pedal for upto 6 hours. The two are very different and I've just discovered how much runnign fitness I've lost having not ran for a couple of months when I went out and did it a couple of weeks ago for the first time.

zammmmo

Ride as much (and as smart) as you can. Failing that, run. Running (or anything else) would become counter productive only when the total volume from cycling/running is such that you can't recover properly. If you are injury free and recovering, and hate rubbish weather, I'd say you are doing pretty well with your current regime. The question is, if you want to go even better, and have the inclination, can you do even more or train even smarter?

liversedge

recovery time is too long and injury is always a worry. ride in the rain.

Infamous

I'd suggest that you stop doing sprints on your fixed gear bicycle and just ride for longer on your fixed gear bicycle.

Slow1972

yep ride more. There's no point avoiding the rain, you may as well get used to it in case you have 200kms of it in June

I can't see that 5km runs are going to give you much of an endurance base for a 200km ride on the bike, train the muscles you'll be using on the day I say.

and i thought the whole point of having a fixie was you could get it sh**ty and not worry about it not working properly, just ride it, it'll survive without a wash every time it ges out in the rain (that or just give it a quick wipedown with a couple of baby wipes instead of a full blown wash, much quicker)

GyatsoLa

Thanks for the responses, not quite what I wanted to hear, but I guess the truth hurts!

Back on the bike it is, rain or not