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Will running improve (or harm) my riding?

by Low Speed Wobble
Tue, Mar 17, 2015 07:55
35

Fellas, and ladies, please be kind to this question. It might seem like an impossible one to answer, but will the action and activity of running improve (or harm) any aspect of my cycling? I'm a 48-year old competent club rider, I don't train or race, I just ride - and I can ride all day long (when I've got the time). There are times when I don't even have two hours to spare for a ride. My question is - will running for an hour a couple of times a week improve or harm my riding, or will it have no physiological effect on the mechanics of riding a bike? (I have no pretensions of competing in triathlon either). I'm keen to learn from those will similar experiences.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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35 comments

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sergius | 9 years ago
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For me, everytime I run for more than about 15 minutes I seem to knacker my knees.

I personally tend to avoid running and just stick to cycling and gym work (strength training)

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alotronic | 9 years ago
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Running is great and I do some to stop myself going mental in winter, but you need to ease in very gently indeed. Your general fitness will mean that you 'could' run hard for an hour but you will need lots of time for your body to adapt. Start with short walk/runs etc you will feel like you are doing 'nothing' but you are adapting many years of cycling body to one that can run as well. I speak from experience - 49, with shin splints.

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Nixster replied to alotronic | 9 years ago
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alotronic wrote:

you need to ease in very gently indeed. Your general fitness will mean that you 'could' run hard for an hour but you will need lots of time for your body to adapt.

Agree with this. I couldn't get out on the bike last week so I did a quick 6km run and had sore legs for 3 days afterwards. I guess if I went running more often, like once a week, then this wouldn't be as bad though. Running is higher impact than cycling for joints etc. particularly if on road.

On the plus side it does work more/different muscles from cycling so if approached carefully has the potential to ward off imbalance type injuries. I find I can get a more strenuous work-out in a shorter time as well, so for maintaining aerobic fitness it might be good if you're pressed for time.

I've been reading Joel Friel's book recently and he suggests cross training for the off-season or while building your base so maybe keep it for winter and phase out during the spring?

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CXR94Di2 | 9 years ago
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Cross training will always benefit your main sport. If you are short of time think about free weight lifting(squats,deadlifts) or short interval sprints on a static/spin bike

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CXR94Di2 | 9 years ago
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Cross training will always benefit your main sport. If you are short of time think about free weight lifting(squats,deadlifts) or short interval sprints on a static/spin bike

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