Running

[uncinqsix]

Just wondering how many other cyclists on here also run, and whether they use running to improve their cycling (and vice-versa)?

I started running almost a year ago on a bit of a whim as I wanted to see how I would do. Quite enjoy it actually, and I found that it's a much more efficient use of time in terms of getting fitter. I entered a 10k event around the middle of last year and got around in 49.36, and have another 10k coming up next month. I've set a rather ambitious goal of 45 minutes, but I'd be happy enough with sub-47.

I reckon the cardio/endurance from cycling helps a lot, but I haven't really made any conscious effort to tailor my training to make the best use of each discipline. Anyone got any tips?

[uncinqsix]

upsidedownmark said:

If you cycle a lot, you probably have an enormous aerobic base that will aid your running, but leaves you more susceptible to injury IME(*). Cycling running doesn't seem to aid cycling, possibly because cycling requires more muscle force, and it's hard to do so much endurance work.

• Basically you have the (aerobic) capability to tear your body apart / hurt yourself where others would get knackered long before they did themselves a damage.

As a regular rider (triathlete) I've found the most effective way to improve my running was to run little and often. IME twice a week is the absolute minimum to maintain the muscle condition required to run to anything near my (largely aerobic) potential without being as sore as hell the next day.

This is pretty much what I suspected - I can see it being very easy to get injured running to aerobic capability rather than leg capability. I'm trying to do 2-3 runs a week (couple of 5-7k during the week, one 8-10k on weekends), which is on top of the usual 5 day a week commute and 2 hour weekend ride.