Why can I cycle 30 miles yet struggle to run 2?

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[Aussies5 EngSA 0]

You're English. Only good at sports where you are sitting down?

[MaxAndRuby]

Get a heart rate monitor and see what it settles at while you're running. Get on your bike and keep increasing the effort until your HR is the same. This will make a difference, but with running you also have the impact of your feet/knees hitting the ground, also you're standing up to cannot take a single moment's rest.

[ZesPak]

Maybe it's just your technique/breathing?
Due to the "impact" of running, air is pushed out of your lungs, incorrect technique or breathing could lead to rapid exhaustion.

[MaxAndRuby]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Riding out the saddle is tougher, but can actually be a relief on a long climb after time in the saddle. Runners get no such relief. I did a 25 mile ride in the alps this year on a FSR mountain bike, including a climb to 950 metres above SL. Quite a workout, and I flatter myself that I'm good on a bike for my age and size. After half a mile of running I'd be blowing out my arse.

Like you I never stop peddling, but actually we do. Even with SPDs, you're not telling me you're pulling the pedal up while pressing the other down 100% of the time, if you were you'd exceed avg. 15 MPH on all but the toughest terrain. Runners are pulling their legs off the ground, our pedals are pushing us on the upstroke. Also, we're sitting down.

[meah]

Aussies5 EngSA 0 said:

You're English. Only good at sports where you are sitting down?

Pretty sure we were on our feet that last two teams Eng played Australia at Rugby Union and i think i recall us being on our feet when we won the ashes !

[ewenm]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sounds like aerobically you're fit enough but you're just not used to running. The impact of every step is significant (3xbody weight IIRC) and not something you ever really encounter when cycling, so your legs aren't used to the fatigue that generates.

If you persevere at it you will get better but as you don't like running and are just using it as winter fitness for cycling, I'd get a turbo-trainer or some rollers instead.

[mattviatura]

This is me exactly OP. I can cycle no problem and it's pretty hilly here but I can't run at all, I just get out of breath straight away.

I used to swim a lot with no problems but running just stops me breathing.

[ewenm]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[davido140]

mattviatura said:

This is me exactly OP. I can cycle no problem and it's pretty hilly here but I can't run at all, I just get out of breath straight away.

I used to swim a lot with no problems but running just stops me breathing.

I struggle the same with swimming, I just dont breath properly, no issues with running or cycling, If I dont think about my breathing I end up holding my breath when doing a length, so I'm pretty much spent after one!

[MaxAndRuby]

ewenm said:

and when I'm running 100+ miles a week

[MaxAndRuby]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Depends. Generalising here, but I find most people that take road biking quite seriously are always fit. Nearly all runners(proper ones, not the lard arses walking the Christmas fat for a week) are fit. Whereas mountain bikers(like me) seem to drink enough beer and eat enough food to compensate for the energy used up....and more!

ETA Not the really serious MTB dudes who are as fit as a butchers dog, obviously.

Edited by MaxAndRuby on Wednesday 24th November 15:16

[Fume troll]

Are you on the heavy side? I know a few people who can cycle like demons but can't run for toffee, usually they're "bigger". Same for swimming, there are some really quick large swimmers, same reason: something other than you is supporting your body weight, and there is no impact.

Cheers,

FT.

[hadenough!]

I hate running so I've got a singlespeed montain bike I use throughout the winter, practicaly zero maintanance.

[alfa phil]

Had a great run this afternoon in the winter sunshine ,through the woods in the chilterns , could not think of a better way to spend an hour, thought about going out on the bike but too cold .

[Fume troll]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Oh well, scratch that then! I am 6'2" and 15 st, and I can do 10k without too much bother. Although I have to say I couldn't when I started, could barely breathe after a few hundred meters. I was surprised how quickly I improved though. Stick at it!

Cheers,

FT.

[khushy]

2 completely different sports & techniques - I too road-cycle fairly long distances (up to 100 miles), I also speed skate (short track) - but cannot run a distance to save my life!

khushy

[AdvocatusD]

They are two completely different forms of exercise, that use different muscle groups.

Squash, badminton and cycling compliment each other, because the movements in the quads is more contained and "explosive".

Football and running are natural compliments (obviously), and a good runner/footballer will be able to switch between either discipline with the benefit of excellent ground roots.

Running involves elongated movements and different performance from biking.

[Fume troll]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Good plan. No matter how hard I push on my bike, running seems to be tougher cardiovascularly. Running on the flat is like biking up a pretty good hill. Biking down hill, you run out of gears long before you run out of puff.

Cheers,

FT.

[Craigyp79]

[/quote]

Oh well, scratch that then! I am 6'2" and 15 st, and I can do 10k without too much bother. Although I have to say I couldn't when I started, could barely breathe after a few hundred meters. I was surprised how quickly I improved though. Stick at it!

Cheers,

FT.
[/quote]

Ah cool, I thought I was the only chunky bugger out there running those sort of distances!