How does running affect cycling?

stinger53

Maybe a bit of a stupid question but ...

me and a couple of mates are thinking about doing the total warrior challange this year (http://www.totalwarrior.co.uk/10-mile-info/)

so goin to take up running to improve fittness for it.
will running have any positive or negative effects on my cycling? cycling is my main sport.

thanks

tony620

it caused me to have a lot more knee problems lol...

TakeTurns

I often squeeze in short runs in the evening/morning along with my cycling. I do hill sprints/jogs which I've found have helped boost my cardio. Never actually ran further than 3 miles though.

That challenge looks awesome btw, reminds me of Ninja warrior - always wanted to have a go at that!
Albeit, its quite far from me - might give my friends a shout to see if they're interested.

Cumulonimbus

Are you giving up cycling while you take up running, doing less cycling or doing the same cycling but just adding running on top?

Running and cycling both require cardio-vascular fitness and are largely legs based so they do benefit each other to some degree. However, the motions are different meaning that muscles are employed in different proportions and this means that improving one will not lead to the same improvements in another, ie if you do 3 cycling sessions a week and then change to one cycling and two running then you could expect the cycling fitness to drop away - drastically so if you are trying to win races but if you are just doing it as a hobby then not so much.

One of the problems i have found when going from cycling to running is that running requires stronger joints due to the impacts as your foot hits the ground. Cycling does not contain the same impacts and so it gives you the fitness without the strong joints (as the first respondent indicates) meaning that it can be easy to do too much until your body is ready.

stinger53

Cumulonimbus wrote:

Are you giving up cycling while you take up running, doing less cycling or doing the same cycling but just adding running on top?

Running and cycling both require cardio-vascular fitness and are largely legs based so they do benefit each other to some degree. However, the motions are different meaning that muscles are employed in different proportions and this means that improving one will not lead to the same improvements in another, ie if you do 3 cycling sessions a week and then change to one cycling and two running then you could expect the cycling fitness to drop away - drastically so if you are trying to win races but if you are just doing it as a hobby then not so much.

One of the problems i have found when going from cycling to running is that running requires stronger joints due to the impacts as your foot hits the ground. Cycling does not contain the same impacts and so it gives you the fitness without the strong joints (as the first respondent indicates) meaning that it can be easy to do too much until your body is ready.

i don't cycle competitively, i plan to keep cycling as i currently do (3-4 sessions a week) and add in the running.

overlord2

This year I have a April Marathon then the Fred Whitton in May.

The problem with doing both is getting the legs fit. It can be done but I think if you are taking one or the other up as a new 'hobby' I think you might be in for a rude awakening.

Please if you do anything just increase the running mileage very slowly otherwise you will be asking for trouble, you will have incorporate stretching as a routine as well, with cycling you can get away without doing any, running you are walking an injury tight-rope.

Winnick

I ran the London Marathon last year and did relatively little cycling between new year and the event. Afterwards I got back into the cycling and was surprised at how much leg strength appeared to have disappeared although I seemed generally fitter. I am running a bit more again now and find myself equally surprised at how my pace has dropped off despite feeling fitter and faster in the saddle. There is most definitely a difference in the way the body and legsin particular work during the two disciplines.

I would say that some stretching before and after any serious exercise is good practice although the recovery benefits do seem greater after a run than they do after a ride. Warming up and stretching as well as 'warming down' are crucial in the battle against injury.

stinger53

Winnick wrote:

I ran the London Marathon last year and did relatively little cycling between new year and the event. Afterwards I got back into the cycling and was surprised at how much leg strength appeared to have disappeared although I seemed generally fitter. I am running a bit more again now and find myself equally surprised at how my pace has dropped off despite feeling fitter and faster in the saddle. There is most definitely a difference in the way the body and legsin particular work during the two disciplines.

I would say that some stretching before and after any serious exercise is good practice although the recovery benefits do seem greater after a run than they do after a ride. Warming up and stretching as well as 'warming down' are crucial in the battle against injury.

cheers, i'm not a running fan never have been. but liked the look of the challenge. Just be a good experience.
problem is the last few days my left ankle has been starting to hurt after walking for a while. dunno if its just because its weak or because there's something wrong with it... :?

ianbar

i used to run until achillies issues and turned to cycling. both improve cardio generally but doing one won't really help the other. i ddi see cav interviewed and he said he went of jogs occasionally but i also read it tightens your hamstrings and hinders your cycling muscles. all the negatives said.....people do plenty of triathlons and run and cycle very quick so it cant be too bad to do both?!

saprkzz

My friend started training for Triathlons a couple of years ago, and his fitness took a huge leep forward.

He talked me into trying a Duathlon, so i started to Run / Bike / Run. To begin with I did a 2 mile looped run, got my bike for a 10 mile ride and then put the bike back in the garage and ran the same loop of 2 miles. The idea was to build from that, but after 3 weeks my knee's gave up and started getting pains, so stopped the running, and all problems have gone.

If you can run without problems then i personally think it does great for overall fitness.

Zoomer37

Best shape I've ever been in was last year when cycling in the morning and running in the evening.

On top of a good diet, I've never shred some much fat/weight, however the biggest downside I found was I forever had leg ache when on the bike through running each evening.

If cycling is your main focus id leave it at that.

ianbar

the other thing to think is, if you are going to run stay off the roads and pavements and do a little cross country.you should have less joint issue and it will work your muscles more.

uphillstruggle

As a runner turned cyclist due to injury i find that if i do go for a run my endurance is good due to the cycling but i need time to adapt to the impact.

With some speed work i would quickly get my running form back.

I did however find it took time to transfer running fitness to the bike when i started.

stinger53

cheers everyone, i will give it a try to see how i like it and if it does affect my ankle at all.

stinger53

Would it be a good idea to run with a ankle support?