Does running have a place in MTB stage race training

[andrewemslie]

Need some advice on the merits of running as part of training for MTB stage racing. Have heard that it slows you down. Others says it makes you stronger?

I do know that there is nowhere to hide when you are running - no hills to freewheel down!

Comments?

[jkoorts]

[fanievb]

I do running as cross training every year at the start of my training, usually in the first 8-10 weeks.

 

but I then only run twice a week for an hour

[Ryan]

Depends how much you intend pushing your bike...

[Danger Dassie]

Twice a week, hour max. Also helps break up the routine of training.

 

 

 

 

 

Not that i have much of a routine

[nochain]

My view is...if you have loads and loads of time riding your bike is probably the best thing to do.But if you have limited time..adding 2 to 3 hours of running a week will make a big difference.

Personal when it comes to mtbing I feel much stronger when a run more..especialy trail running on hard hilly terain.

For road cycling I don't think the effect is the same because mtbing has a strenght component to it that requires a stronger core and more force while riding.

 

[Louis for real]

yes.

[andrewemslie]

Sounds like some running shoes for me

[eraser]

Video Dude ..why don't you tell us how you really feel!

 

Lol

[niterider]

You're training for a bike race, not a running race. Why waste time running when you could be riding?

[andrewemslie]

Keyboards must be like beer - both make people think they are clever!

[SwissVan]

I've seen pictures of Nino Schurter and Thomas Frishneckt running

[gummibear]

You're training for a bike race, not a running race. Why waste time running when you could be riding?

 

Not sure if you know who Laurent Didier is but he runs a bit to help his cycling......he ran a 80 minute half marathon earlier this year.

[Pooyan]

My view regarding jogging and cycling;

 

Well; Stuart Marais came 4th at the Knysna Rotary 80km MTB race in July this year. (James Reid won and were 5min faster than Stuart and Darren Lill were second- 3min 17 faster than Stuart)

The MTB race were the Saturday. The following Tuesday Stuart won the Solomon Featherbed 14km trail run.

For me this is enough proof that you can be competitive in both sports.

 

I recently started jogging. Trail running is great. (Takes you places were you “can’t” go on a MTB).

It does not affect my cycling. My cycling keeps improving- so no negative effect that I know of.

 

Its true what the guy in the video explain- Because of your cardiovascular fitness obtained from cycling you can become a good jogger with very little training. (I am attempting sub 40min 10km with 2h20min jogging training per week for the last 4months on Sept 17^th.)

 

Just a quick note about jogging;

Be careful when running back to back days and doing too much too soon. Running is after all a higher impact sport than cycling.

[chim50]

Running will improve your cycling and strengthens your legs.

[Goodbadugly]

Depends on the stage race. If you do the Epic or Pioneer, you will walk over a mountain or two. Not easy with rigid cycling shoes. Jogging does help. I do twice a week for <1h.