Forums >Cross Training>does biking alot slow you down as a runner?
inappropriate.
Define "a lot" of biking? A lot of biking and improving your running are all relative to your individual take on it. I can and do bike and run and not have them affect each other, but then again, I'm not attempting to run a 3:30 marathon (or a marathon at all)...
Define "a lot" of biking? A lot of biking and improving your running are all relative to your individual take on it.
I can and do bike and run and not have them affect each other, but then again, I'm not attempting to run a 3:30 marathon (or a marathon at all)...
Ok a few more specifics. I run anywhere between 60-90 mpw and generally try to keep myself in sub 3 marathon shape. Alot of biking means 20-40miles per day of biking. That's not alot for avid cyclists, but it's alot, IMO, for a person who doesn't have ANY biking goals whatsoever. I just do it for fun. My concern generally is that having strong and possibly "bulky" cycling muscles don't really help when it comes to running road marathons. I know biking helps me climb on trails, but that's not what I'm aiming for right now.
You suck -- Arie 3/08/14
Hip Redux
Jiminy, if you have the time and stamina to keep that kind of schedule, then kudos to you! I don't think I could bike 20-40 a day and run that kind of mileage over the week. Forget that, I don't think I'd have the time, let alone the ability. LOL
Anyway, I think cycling is a great cross training tool with running because it's easier on the joints. I don't think you're going to bulk up or anything like that (is that even possible with biking...?). If you can work it into your schedule and your runs don't suffer, go for it. I don't think it's inherently going to slow you down, though I would be concerned with just general fatigue issues.
My two cents. I'm mediocre at both, so you may not want my advice. :P
rectumdamnnearkilledem
I think a person has to bike a LOT AND have the sort of physique that easily bulks-up to get bulky (mesomorphs vs. ectomorphs). When I think of cyclists with bulky thighs I also think of the TdF dudes who are not performing under "natural" conditions (doping, etc.). The average elite cyclocross racer or endurance mountain biker is riding hundreds of miles week-in/week-out and generally doesn't have a physique that is noticeably different than that of most really lean-muscled endurance runners.
One thing I have noticed is that there are people who find that cycling makes them a better runner, because they can spend that much more time engaged in cardio workouts without as much impact...less recovery time. Others find the opposite to be true. I think it's very much a YMMV deal.
Me, personally...my 5k PR was set in the first leg of a duathlon. I am kicking myself for not finding a straight-out 5k within weeks of that race to see what I really could have done. I certainly don't find that cycling hurts my running when I am devoting roughly equal time to each activity (this year has definitely been running-light). They always seemed sort of symbiotic for me.
Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to
remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.
~ Sarah Kay
Agreed.
For me, it's also a less wear-and-tear thing. Running is hard on my body, but I can make up some of that by adding in some hard cycling stuff.
But, yeah, YMMV!
Biking 20 - 40 miles = 1 - 2 hours / day = 7 - 14 hours / week
Running 60 - 90 miles / week = 9 - 14 hours / week
If you want to run fast, focus on running.
If you want to bike fast, focus on biking.
But, it seems like you might mean that you'd bike 20 - 40 miles per outing, and do that outing 1 - 3 times per week. If that's what you mean, I think that may have solid value, as biking HR (at speed) is similar to an 'easy' run. I 'think' that means that you'd get the endurance benefit without the stress.
Whether it makes you slow down running, I don't know.
Look into triathlon, and pick up swimming too!
Life Goals:
#1: Do what I can do
#2: Enjoy life
Oh, I took it as 20-40 miles a day, like each day. 3 times a week seems more reasonable.
I took it as 20 - 40 miles x 7 days a week, but I can't imagine that's what the OP meant.
Well, I hope so, because I was feeling terribly lazy after reading that schedule. lol
Heh, I ride a lot relative to many people (though not relative to my couple of crazy friends who ride ~10k miles, every damned year), but even I don't ride 20-40 miles 7 days/week. My peak Summer mileage is generally around 200 miles/week (a little less since I took up mountain biking and put in fewer miles on the road). Still pretty moderate mileage by any standard.
My concern generally is that having strong and possibly "bulky" cycling muscles don't really help when it comes to running road marathons.
Consider this. Lance Armstrong was juiced for a decade and a half with steroids and who knows what other shit. On top of that he was biking alot!
Did he get bulky? So, unless you want to pound more roids and bike more than Lance don't worry about it.
Zoomy, When are you going to invite our new friends to our double secret two wheeled sub groups?
Jonesin' for some new bike porn, huh?!
We have the Swim Bike Run group and The Bike Shop. I noticed a few new members, which is cool.
Ooooh, secret bikey forums!?!
Scroll up.
Yay! Joined!