Biking & Running

[OakLeaf]

Running has helped my biking by bringing my cardio fitness to a much higher level. I don't doubt that it's possible to work your cardiovascular system in a sustained hard fashion on the bike just like you would on a run, it just feels so much harder, and it's so much easier to slack off. Coasting - or even lightening up on the power - for a few pedal strokes just doesn't carry the guilt of taking a walk break.

Biking has helped my running by being my recovery sport. It's definitely easier for me to take an easy ride than an easy jog. I get to move my blood and flush out my muscles and enjoy the sunshine, without constantly having to nag myself to slow down as I would on a jog. That's the only way I can say that cycling helps my running.

YMMV (literally )

[Crankin]

It seems like cycling helped my running with the running uphill part. Even though I am a super slow runner, I can run up hills (like my street) where I often see faster runners walk.
Other than that, I felt like running interferes with my cycling, as my legs are always super sore after a run.

[jessmarimba]

I think biking helps my running. I'll walk on hills when I'm running if I start to see stars, but I refuse to get off the bike and push it. I can "redline" for much longer on the bike than running...particularly if I'm running by myself and there's no one to see me stop to walk.

I don't know if it has so much to do with the physical differences between the two than the fact that I am resigned to being a fairly slow runner but get supercompetitive on a bike (try to beat yesterday's time up that hill, or the whole route home, or whatever). Running, unless I'm in a race with people to chase down, just doesn't really motivate me.

[Bike Chick]

I think both are true. The cardio workout you get from each of them is different and they compliment each other. I do think my endurance on the bike has increased since I started running (and swimming) and running is a great way to stay in shape in the winter when my bike is on the trainer

[kacie tri-ing]

This is fun!

I think that swimming helps my biking AND my running.

I think biking helps my running.

I don't think running helps anything other than running.

For me, it works in the order of a tri!

[limewave]

I think biking helps my running.

I don't think running helps anything other than running.

Really?

I too believe that running really helps my biking. I'm definitely stronger for it. Biking helps my running in the "general overall fitness" category. Biking, I fell, is easier on my body/legs, so I can almost simultaneously get a recovery day AND a training day in when I ride (this is when I'm in the midst of training for a specific running event).

Right now I'm training for mountain biking events. Running is a great way to cross train for several reasons: 1) I can do a hard workout in half the time I feel like I need to spend on the bike 2) I can run in ANY weather 3) It prepares me well for the hike-a-bike sections of the race 4) Running up hills makes my legs and lungs really strong.

[kacie tri-ing]

Ok--good point. Aerobic fitness is great from running.

For me, as a triathlete, running is SUCH a risky thing. I put in big miles, and I CAN'T get hurt and achieve my goals. I run what I need to run to get the job done, but I don't overdo it. However, i run on tired legs all. the. time. I never train feeling fresh when I run. For my purposes, that defeats the point of long distance tri training. I want tired legs to feel normal. That's also probably why I feel like running just brings me down in the other things :-)

Running is really tough on your body. Cycling and swimming...not so much. I guess that for me in the overall picture, I am always balancing the risks of running with the overall aerobic fitness that I need.

I did some serious high intestsity cycling sessions a couple of year ago, and a little bit of running tempo work, and I had a HUGE HM PR. Ok, I am going to keep thinking :-)