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Will running improve (or harm) my riding?

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  • March 17, 2015 at 7:55 am #23528
    Low Speed Wobble

    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.

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  • March 17, 2015 at 11:02 pm #837447
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    nuzzle

    No, it will not. Because, in
    No, it will not. Because, in fact, a lot of cycling has not improved my running capabilities.

    March 17, 2015 at 10:57 pm #837445
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    2 Wheeled Idiot

    Its a bit too triathlete
    Its a bit too triathlete isn’t it đŸ‘¿

    But srsly, running is certainly useful for keeping bones healthy and providing some impact-but only in moderation

    March 17, 2015 at 10:52 pm #837443
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    Comrade

    I’m 49 jog a bit and ride a
    I’m 49 jog a bit and ride a bit. I have found over the last couple of years I can only train for one or the other, otherwise I’m too knackered! But I try to cross train at least once a week. Make sure you build the running gradually or else you won’t be doing any. My mantra…slow is fast! Good luck!

    March 17, 2015 at 9:37 pm #837441
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    philbo

    As a personal trainer and
    As a personal trainer and sports therapist with numerous clients who are runners, cyclists or triathletes I can offer you the following advice:
    1. Cycling generally leads to various muscle imbalances and injuries, especially lower back and shoulders. There is also evidence of bone density issues amongst older cyclists as cycling is a non/low impact activity.
    2. Runners are generally knackered by the time they hit 45-50.
    3. Triathletes seem to go on for ever. The mix of training, gym, pool, run, bike and conditioning is very holistic.
    Bit of a generalisation but my conclusion after many years in the trade.

    March 17, 2015 at 8:32 pm #837439
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    dotdash

    I would love to run again but
    I would love to run again but I’ve bene told not to due to the rods in my spine and the jaring doing more damage to my back.

    It’s a shame as once you get into it and you have that moment when you are at one with your body and mind with you being totally in the zone with everything working together feeling unbeatable is amazing. I’m yet to get that on the bike.

    March 17, 2015 at 8:31 pm #837437
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    Daveyraveygravey

    joemmo wrote:Yes, go running

    joemmo wrote:
    Yes, go running but ease into it with short runs and don’t increase your distance more than 10% per week.
    I would recommend running off road to be easier on your joints and if your location allows then trail running is great exercise. If you can find a good loop with some ups and downs and twists and turns its also good for balance and agility.

    Would agree with this totally. Start with two 20 min runs per week and build slowly. Your HR will be higher when running so don’t be freaked out by that. I love cycling but the faffing about in winter getting all the clothes and lights ready is a pita when you can put a long sleeve top and shorts on and be straight out there

    March 17, 2015 at 8:11 pm #837435
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    joemmo

    Yes, go running but ease into
    Yes, go running but ease into it with short runs and don’t increase your distance more than 10% per week.
    I would recommend running off road to be easier on your joints and if your location allows then trail running is great exercise. If you can find a good loop with some ups and downs and twists and turns its also good for balance and agility.

    March 17, 2015 at 6:33 pm #837433
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    PonteD

    I’m all for getting off the
    I’m all for getting off the bike and doing other stuff. I used to run a lot, but these days its just too hard. I’ve been into rock climbing for the last few years and when I’m being good and doing it regularly it really helps build and maintain my core (you need it for high steps/rock overs and mantles). I had a break before christmas from climbing for a couple of months and found my overall fitness nosedived. Cycling got harder and I got progressively slower, its only the last month or so I’ve been back climbing and I can feel my fitness is getting back to where it was several months ago before I dipped. So I’d say doing other stuff is definitely beneficial, just don’t do football the number of people with wrecked knees and hips from football astounds me. I remember once sitting in A&E on a Sunday afternoon and half the guys in the waiting room were muddied up, still wearing their Football clobber and nursing damaged legs.

    March 17, 2015 at 5:02 pm #837431
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    Pauljb1

    Hi Folks, Just about to put a
    Hi Folks, Just about to put a few posts up around a similar kind of running cycling theme. But just thought i would comment after reading all your comments above. I am first and foremost a runner and the symptoms you described above are a combination of not running enough and or running to hard. I think it would benefit your cardio and stamina but like it has been mentioned start easy and build yourself up. I am here to think about trying something different so i don’t get sick of doing the one sport over and over so running might help mix things up a bit too. I suggest you get down and give your local Park Run a go!

    March 17, 2015 at 3:32 pm #837429
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    Arno du Galibier

    stever wrote:I’m mostly an

    stever wrote:
    I’m mostly an offroad or fell runner. That definitely helps with climbing on the bike.

    Really? What kind of bike do you have?

    đŸ˜€ I’ll get me gillet…

    March 17, 2015 at 2:49 pm #837427
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    crikey

    I’m in the no camp; went from
    I’m in the no camp; went from fell running to road racing, and the fastest riders up hill aren’t going out doing secret fell runs…

    March 17, 2015 at 2:01 pm #837425
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    stever

    I’m mostly an offroad or fell
    I’m mostly an offroad or fell runner. That definitely helps with climbing on the bike.

    March 17, 2015 at 1:55 pm #837423
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    Quince

    There was an article written
    There was an article written on this site a few months ago (http://road.cc/content/feature/134734-put-down-your-bike-and-move-slowly-towards-door) that you might want to take a look at. In short; thumbs up for running (to a degree).

    I think it’s helpful to have a bit of impact-sport alongside all the sitting down on the bike. For your bones’ sake (apparently), and also to add some variety from sitting all scrunched up in an aerodynamic ball forever. I think it offers a little more ‘bang 4 buck’ too, especially when factoring in the time getting changed, bike maintenance etc.

    Running on grass/off-road might also ease some of the issues associated with smashing your body into concrete for hours on end.

    Anyway, yeah, think about it. đŸ˜‰

    March 17, 2015 at 1:28 pm #837421
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    middlering

    Based on my experience over
    Based on my experience over last couple of years, running definitely has helped my riding. Cardio has improved, as has my climbing out of the saddle. It’s helped the overall fitness too, with weight control and fewer back issues.

    Would definitely agree with @alotronic on starting slow, and easing into it. Unlike cycling, running can get really hard on joints and muscles if you suddenly up the mileage a lot.

    March 17, 2015 at 1:24 pm #837419
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    Nixster

    alotronic wrote: you need to

    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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