Cycling versus Running

[RacerMDR]

Probably been done to death........but I recently started to use my Garmin properly.

I've been trying hard to run, but the pain in my legs is so uncomfortable, and I find running really hard.

The reason I do exercise is weight loss......

So, 5k run, 400 calories - takes me just under 30 minutes (as i'm crap)- and i'm in pain, can't breath, sweating mess

I just did a 1 hour bike ride - and burned nearly 800 calories......hardly broke into a sweat.

Am I missing something here? Is the Garmin wrong?

Why would anybody run for weightloss.

I must be missing something surely?

[dirty boy]

RacerMDR said:

Probably been done to death........but I recently started to use my Garmin properly.

I've been trying hard to run, but the pain in my legs is so uncomfortable, and I find running really hard.

The reason I do exercise is weight loss......

So, 5k run, 400 calories - takes me just under 30 minutes (as i'm crap)- and i'm in pain, can't breath, sweating mess

I just did a 1 hour bike ride - and burned nearly 800 calories......hardly broke into a sweat.

Am I missing something here? Is the Garmin wrong?

Why would anybody run for weightloss.

I must be missing something surely?

I'd say the Garmin is out. If you ran at a speed that allowed you to talk and not start gasping for breath, then you'd likely be able to run for an hour and burn the same amount of calories.

It's difficult to quantify the input of both exercises as they're so different. I went out on the bike yesterday and did 16.8 miles in pretty much exactly 1 hour (1hr 00 45.) and like you, wasn't particularly flustered.

I did a gentle jog for 28 mins on Wed and covered 3 miles and was holding a conversation and could have probably held that for another half hour if required. Although to save our joints and impact, we run mostly on soft sand.

It's the load on the joints which is different and makes you feel worse off for the same amount of effort.

[DMN]

Running is boring. Cycling is a rush.

HTH.

[RacerMDR]

that makes sense on the joints and impact. When I run, if I run slowly as I do.......it's my legs, ankles and pain in my shins that terminate my running I think. My heart rate floats at 80/85%

I hear you on the Garmin being inaccurate, as that was my first thought. I've checked though and generally at average 13 miles an hour, the worldwideinternetwebbage thinks 750/800 calories is about right for an hour on the bike.


Plan remains try and suffer the running, up to 10k x 3 per week. With 3 x 1 hour cycles too.........

[StuH]

I think if you're the right 'shape' to run and can take the impact then it's a great exercise BUT I suffer with pain in my knees, hips and shin splints if I start running more than about 5km so I've knocked it on the head in favour of rowing. I cycle as well but I just can't push my heart rate on a bike whereas rowing can be as lung busting as running, works the whole body but without the high impact and injuries of running!

[RacerMDR]

I'd love to Row, but it just isn't as easy as jumping on the bike. Poor excuse though as I live about 5 minutes walk from a rowing club on the Thames.

[goldblum]

RacerMDR said:

Am I missing something here? Is the Garmin wrong?

Quite possibly, that's about the amount of calories (maybe slightly low) a runner would burn in an hour's average run. Cycling is generally considered to use half the calories of running in a given period. To look at it another way: normally to burn the same amount of calories as a run you'd have to cycle for twice as long, all things being equal.

Edited by goldblum on Monday 15th April 22:51

[egor110]

Have you built up your running or just decided your going to do 5k and gone out and done it?

You need to build up the miles slowly to avoid injuries.

[numtumfutunch]

how does the Garmin calculate calorie consumption, and is it reliable, would be the question Id ask

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/11/how-calorie-mea...

[Brite spark]

RacerMDR said:

Plan remains try and suffer the running

Might be worth getting fitted for some proper running shoes, seems to be recommended for people with pain problems in the other running threads that come up on here.

[clonmult]

egor110 said:

Have you built up your running or just decided your going to do 5k and gone out and done it?

You need to build up the miles slowly to avoid injuries.

Aye, you risk doing a "Marr" if you just go for it.

I'm continually wanting to train for a 10k and eventually work up to a half marathon, but my ankles tell me otherwise. I'm fine doing a distance on the bike or the erg, but running - nope.

The calorie burn from any exercise is dictated by the effort you put in, but from what I've experienced (highest burn to lowest)
- running
- rowing
- cycling
- swimming

But then I'm a crap swimmer.

[944fan]

Forgive me if this is obvious but thought I would point it out. On my Garmin I have to switch modes between Running and cycling. It then adjusts the calorie consumption figure and the display changes to show speed rather than pace.

I am sure you know that but it may help if you don't

[RacerMDR]

Thanks for all the replies chaps.

I did switch from running to cycling modes on the Garmin.

As for the running. I've been doing it on and off for quite a while.

I was up to ten miles, then suffered lots of pain, so I stopped. Had physio (made it worse!) and then only really started again a couple of months ago.

I have built up I think. Started with 15 minute runs, and have built up to 30 over a couple of months.

I also have two pairs of running trainers which I alternate.

I just get so much pain in my left leg particularly.

I'm 37, 88 kilos and 5'10''

I'm going to book into the Chiswick running school I think, to try and get help.

I do feel like the 766 calories for 1 hour of cycling seemed too generous!

[dirty boy]

It's all relative.

I can knacker myself out in all of those by putting 100% in from the off, obviously the distances just vary..

100% running 200m? 25 seconds?
100% cycling 1km? 1 min?
100% swimming 50m? 20-30 seconds?
100% rowing 500m? <2 mins?

Just a bit of guesswork, I know the running (sprint) will see you lose top performance between 100 and 200m.

Cycling is a bit more guesswork, I went for it a bit (not 100%) on my commute this morning and did a Strava segment at 26mph for 1/2 a mile, so I would guess I could put a bit more effort in and falter after a little more distance.

Swimming i'm reasonably competent at (swim a freestyle mile twice a week) and would guess, flat out would see no continuing pace after 50m. I've never really gone for it in a pool though.

And rowing I used to do spring training with 2k, 500m, 350m and 150m sprint. I would guess the nature of how the body works in rowing would result in maximum distance for maximum effort of around 500m (just going by how my metres travelled per second would drop off a fair bit between 350m and 500m.

Suppose that gives an idea of the efficiency of the types of exercise and is very rough musing!

[Magic919]

The Running School is a great idea. My wife went there and sorted out all kinds of things. She's now injury free. Don't be surprised if you go backwards at first. Stick with it.

Garmin calorie accuracy seems to be device dependant. Compare with Myfitnesspal figures and see what you find.

[Miguel Alvarez]

Sorry to thread jack slightly but where does things like the cross-trainer fit in the scheme of

running
rowing
cycling
swimming

I'm another one who who's found running difficult. Dislocated my knee and had a hairline fracture in my ankle as a kid and the past couple of years I'm finding it really painful to run.

[goldblum]

Very rough guide: Calories used is dependent on more than just bodyweight and should take into account lean muscle mass, general fitness etc..

[MC Bodge]

There seems to be a lot of merit in avoiding landing on your heels (helped by wearing shoes with lower heels) whilst running:

http://www.ten-point.co.uk/running-transition-tips

Run gently and build up the mileage slowly.



Cycle hilly routes if you can, vary the pace.

[Willy Holloughby]

You'll have to do a lot more than 30 minutes of running to induce weightloss. I know this from experience. A more effective method of weightloss is to stop running to the kitchen. I know this from experience too :-) If you do want to reduce the pains in your legs try building up your leg muscles especially calf muscles. Try squats, lunges and calf raises. I know this from experience too. Also a nice ice cold shower or bath and a protein shake after run to aid recovery. I know this from experience too :-) Also try sprints instead of long runs. 1 minute sprint as hard as possible, 30 second rest and repeat for 15 minutes. Or try circuits...

[Hoofy]

If you can't run, then don't. If you want to lose weight, then do what is fun and active but also nail that eating. Eating in excess of your calorie requirements leads to weight gain.

DMN said:

Running is boring. Cycling is a rush.

HTH.

Try running with your eyes closed.