Cycling & Running

[stewie911]

I'm not saying cross training is not worth it. I'm all for it.

[Wyatt Earp]

Riding my roadbike this morning I sat up thinking of this thread.

I then remember chatting to one of the Sky team riders who told me a month ago that quite a few guys in the team run.

This is not just something happening in their camp but apparently becoming quite a popular past time in the pro peleton.

My comment to the whole thing, I often ride with people who have their breath run out before their legs.

I would say when this happens then run, your cardio will improve and soon you will find that the legs can't keep up.

When this happens then pedal and pedal some more to get the power in those little pins to where it should be.

To me the results speak for themselves and comparing ourselves with the pro's all the time is ludicrous.

I would guess that 95 % of this forum are just regular joes wanting to keep fit.

Why not keep fit by trying a variation.

[stewie911]

Was thinking along the same lines on my run this morning. I may have misunderstood the Ops original question.

 

Definetly agree that running improves your out of breath cardio. I always feel like I can go on for hours, be it running or cycling, but the legs just won't keep up

[StokedAboutSpokes]

definitly find that running helps. Just looking in my catagory of competition (junior men) in the top ten, more than half of the riders have had some running history or are running currently as part of training...

[MtbO]

One of the guys that I run with once told me that you need to cycle 3 times as long to have the same effect as running. I have never reached anything close to my max HR while cycling and yet can easily get close on some road runs and any trail run.

[Shebeen]

Beg to differ with "Xterra Champ", he won ONE xterra, the duathlon one in Knysna. This is a very good performance in itself, but this does not make him an Xterra Champ! Not sure how the likes of Dan Hugo & Conrad Stoltz(the REAL Xterra WORLD champ) will feel about that statement

 

We are all different, but I'm of the general opinion that cycling helps with hilly running (general trail races), and vice versa.

 

Dunno how much specific run training KE put into this year's knysna Xterra, but this course has really hilly running legs(which would suit him according to my theory). Even though the top locals like hugo/stoltz/boonstra weren't there (its during the euro/NH pro season) his time was just as good as previous years on the same course (I stand corrected there).

 

as for the swimming/duathlon bit - the top guys actually don't do much swim training in comparison to bike/run - they sit in the pack and the incremental gains are not worth it.

[Gumpole]

I think running helps your cardio, like swimming, cycling, cross country sking etc.. as said before.

 

pros:

1. you work HARD for 100% when you run, regardless of hills, speed etc. It is physically possible to work as hard while cycling but very easy to 'loaf' while drafting, going downhill, tailwind, daydreaming etc.

2. good for a 'change of scene'

3. good for bone development.

4. biathlons, triathlons are fun.

5. a good quality workout can be done in much less time.

6. easier to avoid taxis, X5s etc

7. cross country!

8. less flipping equipment!!

 

cons:

1. the body takes a long time to get used to the pounding and jarring

2. much easier to get injuries (refer 1.)

3. longer recovery times (especially in light of 1. and 2. above)

4. muscles used are different to cyclists, so muscular development while running isn't helping your cycling much.

[Brian Fantana]

If you have tight working hours it is also more practical on certain days to "klap 'n tekkie" for 30mim than to go for a ride that may take 1:30. When I lived in jhb, I was able to do a 5km run sometimes during lunch time, in and around the office park. The other days I cycled to work. I have found that shorter distance running(<10km) helps my cycling a lot.

[MariusL]

If you have tight working hours it is also more practical on certain days to "klap 'n tekkie" for 30mim than to go for a ride that may take 1:30. When I lived in jhb, I was able to do a 5km run sometimes during lunch time, in and around the office park. The other days I cycled to work. I have found that shorter distance running(<10km) helps my cycling a lot.

 

I'm with you on that one Stephan... if I only have an hour, I much rather go for a run... an hour of running is much more beneficial than an hour of cycling. Given, I'm training for IronMan, so I have to fit in a few runs in my schedule anyways. And after a hard hour of running I feel pretty wasted, compared to an hour on the bike...

[Dubber88]

If you have tight working hours it is also more practical on certain days to "klap 'n tekkie" for 30mim than to go for a ride that may take 1:30. When I lived in jhb, I was able to do a 5km run sometimes during lunch time, in and around the office park. The other days I cycled to work. I have found that shorter distance running(<10km) helps my cycling a lot.

 

Agree.

 

Running for a cardio warm up before interval training randomly around in the week helped me allot( Keep it under the 10km). Basically shocking the system ( in a good way), wich increased my stamina allot. I cycle everyday, feeling I was condition my body with only cycling( Trick your body), running is a very easy and quick way to boost training.

[Brian Fantana]

Another scenario where running is beneficial here in PE, is when the wind blows. Some afternoons the wind makes it too dangerous to cycle on the road(you can't hear and you can't keep your line). I have found that you can still enjoy a run in these conditions. I don't do IDT.