Marathoning and Cycling

[Runnin Rat]

I am part of a running forum, but have recently started cycling. I am enjoying my new sport very much, and have 2 centurys planned for this year. I also run marathons....still, since running is my first love.

Does any one here marathon as well as cycle a lot? We are trying to work out a training schedule so I peak at a century in July. I am also working towards my Boston Qualifying goal, but don't plan to hit that till 2007.

Any thoughts or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[Running Mommy]

welcome!
I'm a verrryy slooowww marathoner, so Boston is WAY out of my league, but I have noticed that my running has improved as I've been cycling. I'm training for an Ironman, so often I run right off the bike. I find that I actually run BETTER off the bike?! Go figure that one?/!! But cycling really seems to have helped my running. I think I get more bang for my buck traning wise. It's not as rough on the body but is still solid training. If that makes any sense?

[Nanci]

I think 13 weeks is a typical marathon training period, starting from a ten-mile base, so the July Century should be a thing of the distant past by 2007.

I've also found that cycling improves my running, but watch out, I also found out that I love cycling so much that running seems like a chore now.

Another good thing- once you get a nice cycling base, it's very easy to maintain. Believe it or not, soon rides in the 60-80 mile range will seem like a piece of cake.

Nanci

[Runnin Rat]

Another good thing- once you get a nice cycling base, it's very easy to maintain. Believe it or not, soon rides in the 60-80 mile range will seem like a piece of cake.

Nanci

I can do 20-25 with no problem, but do have issues still with the 40 mile rides still. I seem more mentally beat than physically, not sure why.

I have discovered that when I do run (MWF usually) my thighs feel great! They feel very strong and very solid, love it!

The main reason I got into cycling was to do an ironman, my thought process is if I can do an ironman I am fit and can go pretty much anything. I have put the ironman thought aside for the moment, as I just want to enjoy my "new" hobby of riding and training.

Thanks for the help and the welcome. I hate being the new person on the block....shy I guess

[Nanci]

Rat,

Are you getting enough calories? Mental fatigue is one of the first signs of an on-coming bonk. Especially in the mileage range you are at right now, you need to make sure you are getting enough in. Throughout the ride.

I had trouble increasing my distance right at that point, too, between 40 and 60, but after that the miles came easily. How I did it was on Saturday ride, say, 40 miles. On Sunday, ride half that, 20. Ride in the evenings when possible. Next Saturday, 50 miles. The following Sunday, 25 miles. And so on.

Get a nice "meal" such a recovery drink and a bar, or a _real_ meal, at the halfway point. Get off your bike a couple times and walk around- that really perked me up in the second half of longer rides when I was in that 40-60 mile range.

Sooner than you can imagine, 40 miles will feel like what you want to do before dinner, and 60 -70 will be a nice easy Saturday ride.

Nanci

[Runnin Rat]

Nanci,

I do eat Clif cubes (same thing as gel shots only in a cube form) while I am out there, and ate a banana at the 1/2 way point (20 miles) this last week. Maybe that is not enough? My daily calorie intake is around 1600. I also drink a gatorade type drink while out there. Do I need to eat/drink more before or during the ride?

I still don't like to stop while riding. For one, I keep falling over. Still getting use to being attached to the bike. I am getting better at this, but have fallen over 6 times so far. Also, do I worry about walking around on my shoes? I don't really want to wear out the pads etc on them. They look pretty bad already and I don't walk on them accept to go from the car to my bike which is leaned against the car (I live on a dirt road, have to drive to pavement).

I find it interesting that you called me "Rat". That is what everyone else has shortened my name to. I actually answer to that name now.