Biking & Running

[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 :-)

[limewave]

Kacie, I agree with you! I have to be careful about putting in the miles running--I'm much more prone to over-training and injury when I increase my running miles. I have to be careful with how I incorporate a run workout into my training schedule. That's why when I'm training for a specific running event, like a marathon, I still only run 3x a week and use cycling for cross training.

[Bike Chick]

I began my training for an October HM during tri season while I was still training for tris. I was putting in two workouts a day, 6 days a week. That was fine and I felt great but there wasn't any room for a race on the weekend AND a long run or a long bike on Saturday AND a long run on Sunday. It seemed that everything was suffering because of it so I have stopped racing and devoted my energy to the running with swimming and biking as cross-training, as you said Lime.

I agree with you too, Kacie.

[rubysoho]

My experience:

Biking helped my running tremendously (I was never able to run a mile without stopping prior to biking. Now I am up to three! Yay!)

Recently I have been more consistent in my running than biking and I feel I have regressed in my biking. I get tired on shorter distances than what I was riding before (averaged 20 mile rides with one long weekend ride around 40 to 50 miles, now I a back down to 10-15 mile rides.... )

[luckylilmama]

Ruby, my experience has been the same thing! I just started running 6 weeks ago and was pleased that I was able to go 3 miles without stopping and just last week I did 8 miles. Riding, on the other hand, has really suffered. I couldn't believe how slow my average was for an 18 mile ride last week! I think I just need to find a balance when spring comes but for now running is so much easier with the cooler weather, early darkness, and toddler...