Do I have good potential?

hillrunner

I'm a runner but started doing some indoor cycling when injured. Within a few weeks I find myself averaging around 260 watts / 3.5x power to weight for a 45 minute intervals class (low 300's on the hard parts, low 200s on the resting). I don't own an outdoor bike but wondering if I have more potential here than as a runner. I'm about an 18:30 5k-er when at my peak (which I am not now). Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on if this shows I have more potential as cyclist vs. a sort of average early 30's distance runner. Also I seem to have more of a cyclist build (thick legs, wide hips) vs. typical runner build so that is also why I'm wondering if I am in the wrong sport.

Matthewfalle

potential to do what?

ride for enjoyment?
sportives?
club rider?
racer?
local hero?
national?
commonwealth?
olympic?
neo pro?
pro?
domestique?
GC contender?

hillrunner

Matthewfalle wrote:

potential to do what?

ride for enjoyment?
sportives?
club rider?
racer?
local hero?
national?
commonwealth?
olympic?
neo pro?
pro?
domestique?
GC contender?

I should have been more clear, more potential as a cyclist than a runner. I think I have average or slightly better than average natural talent as a runner. When training decent (30 miles per week running) I max out at around 18.5 min 5k. I don't know if I have better talent as a cyclist. I do better than mostly everyone in the class I take and they seem to take cycling seriously

Matthewfalle

but what do you want to do? you haven't said that so there is no way to acertain what reassurance you seem to be wanting.

do you want to tt?
hill climb?
sprint?
grimpeur?

all very different.

burnthesheep

hillrunner wrote:

I'm a runner but started doing some indoor cycling when injured. Within a few weeks I find myself averaging around 260 watts / 3.5x power to weight for a 45 minute intervals class (low 300's on the hard parts, low 200s on the resting). I don't own an outdoor bike but wondering if I have more potential here than as a runner. I'm about an 18:30 5k-er when at my peak (which I am not now). Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on if this shows I have more potential as cyclist vs. a sort of average early 30's distance runner. Also I seem to have more of a cyclist build (thick legs, wide hips) vs. typical runner build so that is also why I'm wondering if I am in the wrong sport.

What do YOU enjoy?

I find riding very enjoyable and rewarding and can be very competitive. The difference between running and cycling, I see, is that with cycling the difference between "survival" events with all skill levels participating and "competitive" events is much stronger. Most running events I ever did had "corrals" of same skill runners, but all runners ran the same race at the same time.

Cycling, not the case. You're in a class and either stay in the peloton or break or you get dropped off the back. So each class has both a fitness and experience barrier to entry. Particularly for events with any climbs at all in them.

Your fitness can translate over well, I'd assume. I mean, an 18 min 5k runner is going to be in the fitness realm of a pretty well trained amateur cyclist already.

Also, what equipment were you using for your class? Not even a whole lot of very active cyclists own a power meter or a smart trainer nice enough to have reliable power numbers. Much less one who just left running to start cycling.
Meaning, if this is a spin class I'd take 260w for a 45min class with a grain of salt.

If it is a legit meter equipped bike........get out and start bashing some heads in a race already! Because that's a good number.

Matthewfalle

for what its worth, i do 5k in a tad over 16 minutes. its painful but gets gone.

cougie

You sound fit. You're not going to get to the Olympics at your age but you could well be an above average cyclist.

There's a lot of below average cyclists that still enjoy it so it's not essential to be good.

If you like it cycling is fun.its a LOT more expensive than running and takes longer to train for and to ride.

And if you can't handle your bike then a slower cyclist can kick your ass.

Try it and see really. Probably not the best time of year to dip your toe in though.

imposter2.0

There's only one way to find out. As others have tried to point out though - potential as a 'cyclist' is not an easy thing to define..

burnthesheep

Matthewfalle wrote:

for what its worth, i do 5k in a tad over 16 minutes. its painful but gets gone.

:shock: Good show!

I wonder what I could 5k in if I did it for a couple weeks. On the bike 250w for 20min isn't a slouch, but it's not strong either. Wonder what that'd be worth in a 5k.

kingstongraham

burnthesheep wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

for what its worth, i do 5k in a tad over 16 minutes. its painful but gets gone.

:shock: Good show!

I wonder what I could 5k in if I did it for a couple weeks. On the bike 250w for 20min isn't a slouch, but it's not strong either. Wonder what that'd be worth in a 5k.

Easy way to find out.

kingstongraham

OP, how old are you?

hillrunner

KingstonGraham wrote:

OP, how old are you?

I'm early 30s. I used to road bike when I was much much younger but haven't done any since then.

I think the power meters are accurate, this is an indoor cycling class, not spin...they are Stages Indoor Cycling bikes.

Thanks for the feedback from others. In terms of what I want, I like competing / pushing myself / getting better. I tried this with running the last few years but seem pretty injury prone which has limited consistancy of training. I think cycling could be a good outlet for this competitive drive and probably much less likely to get injured. And based on my few weeks of indoor cycling wondering (hoping) I might also have better potential here anyways

maryka

Hard to say as you could be a very economical runner and that won't translate the same on the bike or vice versa (e.g., in my case, I'm a terribly uneconomical runner but a decent cyclist). But get a bike and get out there, join a club that does regular club runs on the weekends, start to increase your endurance, do some pacier stuff too. See how you enjoy it and how you go.

Cycling is similar to running in many ways but also quite different (draft effect, skills/bike handling) so you may find you're suited to it or not so much. In any case it's just something enjoyable to do to keep fit, so start from that angle and you can't go wrong unless you get silly with risk-taking, injured from a badly fitted bike, or just burnt out from chasing Strava segments.

Don't drop £££ on something new though, see if you can pick up a secondhand bike to start. Then you can either sell it on again when you want to get something better, or keep it as an extra/winter/turbo bike.

Matthewfalle

hillrunner wrote:

KingstonGraham wrote:

OP, how old are you?

I'm early 30s. I used to road bike when I was much much younger but haven't done any since then.

I think the power meters are accurate, this is an indoor cycling class, not spin...they are Stages Indoor Cycling bikes.

Thanks for the feedback from others. In terms of what I want, I like competing / pushing myself / getting better. I tried this with running the last few years but seem pretty injury prone which has limited consistancy of training. I think cycling could be a good outlet for this competitive drive and probably much less likely to get injured. And based on my few weeks of indoor cycling wondering (hoping) I might also have better potential here anyways

You seem to want us to give you hope for something you aspire to be good at. Sorry dude but we can't do this.

Borrow a bike, head out on the road and see how it goes. Post Strava links on here for comparatives against other people who ride on the road.

A spin class is not the road - you may be doing "better" than the other people in your class but they may be rubbish - we don't know. It's not just about comparatives on a spin bike in a class.

hillrunner

Yes you've made your point several times...That I'm coming here just looking for validation, etc, feel free to keep hammering it home.

I had a legit question, all I have to go on is the power to weight charts, I don't have a concept really for what is good for someone who is fit but no cycling training. In any case I'll try to keep it up through the winter (I live in northeast) and in the spring go get a bike.

andcp

hillrunner wrote:

I think cycling could be a good outlet for this competitive drive and probably much less likely to get injured.

Don't go road racing if you want to stay injury free - it may not be necessarily your fault, but you will hit the deck at some point, and bike and bones may/will be broken.

cooldad

Get a mountain bike, and at least you'll have fun before injuring yourself.

Matthewfalle

hillrunner wrote:

Yes you've made your point several times...That I'm coming here just looking for validation, etc, feel free to keep hammering it home.

I had a legit question, all I have to go on is the power to weight charts, I don't have a concept really for what is good for someone who is fit but no cycling training. In any case I'll try to keep it up through the winter (I live in northeast) and in the spring go get a bike.

THeres no point just looking at the charts - they bear absoloutely no relation to what is real.

You could hit a golf ball 500 yards and look up that distance on the charts and think you have potential but as takes a lot more than that to be a golferist.

Borrow a bike etc as above.

napoleond

Enter a duathlon

molteni_man

Hi Hillrunner and welcome on board.

I was like you a runner for many years. I never gave up bikes completely but my main focus for many years (along with squash and football)was running- mostly 10k and 10 milers. I loved the running and the sessions where I felt I could run for ever. However, a couple of knee operations in my later 40,s slowly put paid to running competitively. It was at this time that I bought a road bike to accompany the Mtb and fell in love with road cycling once more. It's addictive and what I love now is still being able to put the 'hammer down ' without everything hurting or aching.
I'd say that your overall fitness will give you a great starting point and that you would love the fresh challenges!
Like another poster on here I would also advise thinking about starting in the Spring rather than the depths of winter- maybe focus on the indoors?
Re getting a bike - this is part of the fun choosing one and the kit. I bought a fairly basic bike only to sell it within a year to upgrade to something faster. As with all kit it can be better to get something betterrather than the very basic stuff and then having to replace it shortly afterwards.
Hope this gives encouragement. I still do a bit of running but do find that the two sports don't really complement each other that well.
There are some really helpful people on the forum so do persevere and just ignore the random people who seem to like to wreck interesting conversations for some reason!
Best wishes.

ryan_w-2

I have the best bike, best kit, loads of power but I’m sh!t.

Just get a bike and enjoy it.

Running is for weirdos.

Midlands Grimpeur

As others have pointed out the DIY method is to get out and ride with others and see how you get on. Given time and accumulation of knowledge and experience you will see how fit you are and get a feel for your potential through comparison with other riders.

If you want to take a more scientific approach go and do some testing with an experienced coach or sports/exercise physiologist who can provide accurate data and explain what the numbers mean in relation to your physiological potential.

Either way, "potential" is just that, you need to understand how to identify and train for specific cycling goals in order to bring it to fruition. The only reason I say that is there are lots of cyclists who bang on about ftp and watts pkg and other physiological markers but don't actually do anything to utilise these, i.e. train properly, which seems to make discussing them a bit pointless (not suggesting you are doing this OP, just a general observation).

webboo

hillrunner wrote:

I'm a runner but started doing some indoor cycling when injured. Within a few weeks I find myself averaging around 260 watts / 3.5x power to weight for a 45 minute intervals class (low 300's on the hard parts, low 200s on the resting). I don't own an outdoor bike but wondering if I have more potential here than as a runner. I'm about an 18:30 5k-er when at my peak (which I am not now). Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on if this shows I have more potential as cyclist vs. a sort of average early 30's distance runner. Also I seem to have more of a cyclist build (thick legs, wide hips) vs. typical runner build so that is also why I'm wondering if I am in the wrong sport.

Well with those times for 5K you don't have much potential as a runner. So you have nothing to lose by trying Cycling.

Matthewfalle

Molteni Man wrote:

Hi Hillrunner and welcome on board.

I was like you a runner for many years. I never gave up bikes completely but my main focus for many years (along with squash and football)was running- mostly 10k and 10 milers. I loved the running and the sessions where I felt I could run for ever. However, a couple of knee operations in my later 40,s slowly put paid to running competitively. It was at this time that I bought a road bike to accompany the Mtb and fell in love with road cycling once more. It's addictive and what I love now is still being able to put the 'hammer down ' without everything hurting or aching.
I'd say that your overall fitness will give you a great starting point and that you would love the fresh challenges!
Like another poster on here I would also advise thinking about starting in the Spring rather than the depths of winter- maybe focus on the indoors?
Re getting a bike - this is part of the fun choosing one and the kit. I bought a fairly basic bike only to sell it within a year to upgrade to something faster. As with all kit it can be better to get something betterrather than the very basic stuff and then having to replace it shortly afterwards.
Hope this gives encouragement. I still do a bit of running but do find that the two sports don't really complement each other that well.
There are some really helpful people on the forum so do persevere and just ignore the random people who seem to like to wreck interesting conversations for some reason!
Best wishes.

Blimey - if this has been an interesting conversation then I've led a sheltered life.....

hillrunner

Molteni Man wrote:

Hi Hillrunner and welcome on board.

I was like you a runner for many years. I never gave up bikes completely but my main focus for many years (along with squash and football)was running- mostly 10k and 10 milers. I loved the running and the sessions where I felt I could run for ever. However, a couple of knee operations in my later 40,s slowly put paid to running competitively. It was at this time that I bought a road bike to accompany the Mtb and fell in love with road cycling once more. It's addictive and what I love now is still being able to put the 'hammer down ' without everything hurting or aching.
I'd say that your overall fitness will give you a great starting point and that you would love the fresh challenges!
Like another poster on here I would also advise thinking about starting in the Spring rather than the depths of winter- maybe focus on the indoors?
Re getting a bike - this is part of the fun choosing one and the kit. I bought a fairly basic bike only to sell it within a year to upgrade to something faster. As with all kit it can be better to get something betterrather than the very basic stuff and then having to replace it shortly afterwards.
Hope this gives encouragement. I still do a bit of running but do find that the two sports don't really complement each other that well.
There are some really helpful people on the forum so do persevere and just ignore the random people who seem to like to wreck interesting conversations for some reason!
Best wishes.

Thank you...this makes a lot of sense, glad that you found cycling to be a good replacement for running...I'm only in my early 30s and it seems like my body can't take running more than 15 miles a week. I think the biggest thing holding me back on the biking is the whole need to own / maintain equipment vs. running can just go out and do it anywhere / anytime even if traveling if you have a pair of shoes. I think I'll keep trying to get more fit on the indoor biking this winter then get a bike in the Spring

joey54321

To throw another spanner in the works Stages aren't good for comparing power data to other people as any leg imbalances you have will manifest themselves as increased or decreased power numbers. Add to that those powermeters likely haven't been calibrated and there is potential for those numbers to be way off compared to 'the charts' or compared to other people.

I'd say you'd likely be able to finish a 3/4 race if, and it's a big if, your handling is up to scratch and you dedicate your free time to it.

hillrunner

joey54321 wrote:

To throw another spanner in the works Stages aren't good for comparing power data to other people as any leg imbalances you have will manifest themselves as increased or decreased power numbers. Add to that those powermeters likely haven't been calibrated and there is potential for those numbers to be way off compared to 'the charts' or compared to other people.

I'd say you'd likely be able to finish a 3/4 race if, and it's a big if, your handling is up to scratch and you dedicate your free time to it.

Pardon but what do you mean by leg imbalances leading to different power numbers on the Stages Indoor bikes? Thanks

I think the bikes are calibrated pretty accurately relative to eachother because I am use different bikes each time / wear heart strap and the power output is remarkably similar between the bikes for a given effort level.

DeVlaeminck

To the OP I'd say it shows reasonable potential to race at 2nd / 3rd cat level if you train, something that perhaps most people but not all have. Beyond that it really is hard to say, my 5k time was around 18 minutes and I ran for 2-3 years but it took around 9 months of 20-30 miles a week to go from reasonably fit non-runner to get down to that before repeated injuries stopped me going any further and got me into cycling. What you will find is it's easy to be seen as a "fast" runner as it's far more of a mass participation sport there are a lot of cyclists absolutely obsessed with training and while there may be fewer people racing those that are take it seriously, although of course never admitting they do more than a steady commute a couple of times a week.

joey54321

hillrunner wrote:

joey54321 wrote:

To throw another spanner in the works Stages aren't good for comparing power data to other people as any leg imbalances you have will manifest themselves as increased or decreased power numbers. Add to that those powermeters likely haven't been calibrated and there is potential for those numbers to be way off compared to 'the charts' or compared to other people.

I'd say you'd likely be able to finish a 3/4 race if, and it's a big if, your handling is up to scratch and you dedicate your free time to it.

Pardon but what do you mean by leg imbalances leading to different power numbers on the Stages Indoor bikes? Thanks

I think the bikes are calibrated pretty accurately relative to eachother because I am use different bikes each time / wear heart strap and the power output is remarkably similar between the bikes for a given effort level.

Stages, unless there is another type of stages, only measure the left side power then doubles it. Most people have a stronger leg. If your left is stronger you power numbers will be artificially inflated up, if your right left is stronger your power numbers will be artificially low. What makes it harder is imbalances will often vary depending on intensity.

CptKernow

I expect this guy was asking himself the same question a few years back....
http://rustywoodscycling.com/

webboo

I guess he was a bit more talented as a runner being able to break 4 minutes for the mile.