New to cycling... can I run too? my 1st post!

[alpinerabbit]

Right now I am riding 5 days a week. I was planning on running on my off days. My BF says active rest is best. Should I cycle 6-7 days a week (5 regular, 2 easy) and run before or after the ride or should I do the 5 days of cycling and 2 days of running? Will I be overtraining? Thanks for any help!

Do all of this plus weights and within a year we will hear your injury stories. If you do not give your body time to build up to such an exercise regimen, it is bound to break down.

Unless you are preparing for a race - take 2 days a week complete rest.
Are you doing this for weight control? Adjust your nutrition too. Actually if you want to train like you describe, your nutrition needs to be spot on - protein, electrolytes, iron - supplements to protect your tissues. Read up on it.
Unless you are going for triathlons, bricks are only a nice-to-have.

[Crankin]

You are trying to do too much.
I started running in January; I've been cycling for 9 years and been involved with various other aerobic activities at the gym for 25 years. I find that if I want to continue cycling the same number days a week, at the same intensity, I can't run more than 2 days a week. The few times I have run 3 times a week, I can't ride as much as usual. Granted, I am 55 years old, but since cycling is my first "love," I am not going to do anything to ruin that. I really like running, but there's a lot more injury potential.
It sounds like you are trying to keep up with your BF, who is at a different level than you are. You shouldn't end up crying on a ride! Either work out a way to ride together that you are comfortable with, or find others to ride with. Riding should be fun. You can train and improve your speed, but right now, what you are doing will lead to nothing but frustration and maybe injury.
And active rest means a walk, easy yoga, or stretching.

[TrekTheKaty]

A lot of women don't lift weights because they think they will "bulk" up. This isn't true. Don't let this discourage you from getting in shape.

The idea behind a triathlon is biking uses your quads (front of legs), running uses hamstrings (back of legs) and swimming is upper body. So yes, running and cycling are complimentary if you don't overdo it.

You should be careful not to overtrain, but I would also be concerned about you burning out. It's better to be excited about a bike ride, than starting to dread it. Make sure you keep it fun.

[GraceKeaux]

Ladies, you were all so right! Thank you for your suggestions... I decided to take two days off from the bike, took a nice walk on one day and forced myself to do nothing the other day. WOW, what a difference it made! When I got back on the bike, my legs felt stronger than ever.
Cunninghamair, I think I was burning out from over doing it. I was told that as a beginner it would be almost impossible to overtrain. Guess not...
Crankin, I hope I'm doing as much as you are at 55. Rock on!
Alpinerabbit, thank you... I never thought about the injury part... So true.
Thanks to everyone. So much good support!