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Ridin' vs Running


staffe's picture

By staffe - Posted on 01 June 2009

With all the rain lately I've started to climb the walls and as a last resort I went back to the old habits and went for a run just to get get out there. The effect is severe leg ache the days after. I'm starting to think that running and riding uses quite different muscle groups and resorting to running might not be such a good substitute for ridig after all?

Is there anyone out there who knows anything about it? Is it good to combine or will running "eat" away on the rinding fitness or is running a good approach to keep the training going even when it is wet?

If anyone has got some good suggestions how to keep the training going when enough riding cannot be done I'd like to hear about it.

Cheers,
Staffan

spudatm's picture

Im getting very itchy feet too. But i used to be much worse though and i now look at rainy periods as time to catch up on things and do other stuff and get back my motivation to get up at 5 every morning to ride.
I do hate running though I ride 200ks a week and feel fresh but a 30 minute run makes me feel like ive been hit by a bus.
These are my alternatives
I think the best thing is to buy a trainer. i picked up a jetblack one for 150 2nd hand because it had been used at the sydney 24 hour. Its great, don't do long rides on them though, usually i will just do an interval session or some resistance climbing. No session goes for longer than an hour. often i will set it up in front of the tv and watch a movie or a cycling dvd {24 solo is a fave}
Secondly get a Pilates DVD, i got one from JB hifi its the Pilates TV one from foxtel. Doing two episodes is great for your core strength
Thirdly Swim laps. i find swimming relaxing but boring if i do it too often. A mixed session of freestyle, breast stroke, kickboard and running in the pool gets the cobwebs out.
Fourthly Other sports Ill hit mates up for a game of squash,tennis whatever
This one sounds strange but i also take my Dog for a walk, he is a bloody lunatic and will go all day so a two hour walk is no sweat for him, i actually use it to scope new trails in my area and is another use for your lights.

sarina's picture

keeps your aerobic fitness up there. i tend to run more thru winter as i hate having to clean my bike after wet muddy rides, it's also quicker (just chuck your running gear on and head out for an hour and you're done)and i run the tracks where i usually ride. Yeah and also riding on your indor trainer, weight training, swimming etc all mix it up. THEN when the weather warms up get out on the bike again and you feel fresh and ready to ride hard again.

It's also good to study maps, check out new trails you can't ride on and find new places to ride by exploring on foot.

yes, you use muscles differently and the pounding your muscles/joints cop is greater. I'm into my 2nd week of getting back into running after the DW100 and my body is aching and stiff but i'm fit enough to run for a couple of hours easily -from cycling.I know my running training will also mean that when i get back into cycling i haven't lost my fitness. Just your butt needs wearing back in to sit on a saddle for hours! Smiling

Fatso

barney's picture

Great advise and comments from Spudatm. I have found Yoga or pilates to really assist riding mainly due to core body strength and flexibility. I personally get out running about 3-5 times a week (usually with my dog) and did initially hope it would improve my fitness for the bike. The reality I've found is it didn't improve my riding fitness directly as different muscles are being used. However I did find it stopped me having that extra beer after dinner if I knew I was running in the morning. For my lifestyle getting out for a 30-40 minutes run is more feasible than getting out on the bike 4-5 times a week. The main thing I've discovered when I you go running I must make sure I do plenty of stretching, otherwise my hamstrings will get very tight which adversely effects riding. Like spudatm I do find mixing up the training just helps me enjoy the ride more and that's always a good thing.

staffe's picture

I never even thought about yoga or pilates or even a trainer. Need to do a bit of research in to these. I might however start to mix the ridin' and running. I used to run heaps but started riding as I thought I'd wear out the body after 20 yrs of it. Maybe a combination is not such a bad thing?

spudatm's picture

The other thing to do is to keep your eye on the long range weather charts to plan your training. Im having a rest week this week because of the rain but i was due for one anyway. Normal training will resume next week when the weather looks a little better

staffe's picture

I'm always checking www.seabreeze.com.au to get my fix of long range wind, swell and weather forecasts.

cheers

Bernd's picture

"just chuck your running gear on and head out for an hour and you're done"
I will do this in Darwin on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon after my work appointments!
WED Mostly Sunny. Warm. 31C
THU Sunny. Warm. 31C
Thanks for encouraging me on "running"...hahahha
Bernd

anke13's picture

I've just returned to running after having a break for a few months. I kept my first couple of runs to 4-6km with an easy pace mixed with some short sprints. I'm now back to 8-10km. I was a little sore for a day after the first one, but am fine now. I find that plenty of stretching after running helps or even better, throw in a Yoga session Smiling

To keep things interesting, I run 2x per week on my own and swim 3x per week with a squat. The swimming varies between endurance & pacing, endurance & speed and a tech session.

I also do the odd riding session in Centennial Park at 6am. At least you can ride in the rain and it's good for your mountain biking, so when the sun comes out, you'll be quicker and fitter Smiling

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