Training in the bike for a half marathon (Read 1518 times)

I know the question may be silly ("you train running for a half marathon!"), but I've just bought a road bike and I am taking on cycling again after many years, making the most of the long, bright days.  I am also starting to train for a half marathon in October and I wonder if I can combine both sports.  Have you tried it?  Is there any specific training plan?

Roark,

 

Best of luck on your training plan for  your upcoming half!

 

Being an avid cyclist and runner, (mainly because I`m just too hard headed to give up either one), I personally find it hard to really "excel" at either because your constantly switching back and forth between activities. For example, on a typical "day off", a runner or cyclist would really do nothing exertive, maybe some walking ot stretching, I find myself going for a ride instead of giving myself a complete day of rest. This is probably fine if you aren`t trying to build up mileage for marathon/half marathon. But during training for something like that, you really do benefit from a day of rest.

 

I don`t mean to ramble, just be careful. A few hours of cycling, especially if you are relatively new to the sport, can leave your legs feeling really heavy and tired. You certainly wouldn`t want to get on the bike a day before a long run, at least I wouldn`t think.   

 

I`m really surprised you haven`t gotten more responses from this. As wingz said, you might have more luck over in the Cross Training forum.

 

Just enjoy yourself and have fun!!!

I ran one marathon a while back and I trained with both running and biking.  Not by choice, but due to my situation.  I was commuting to work 10 miles each way by bike most days of the week.  In fact, the idea to train for the marathon came because I was in such good shape due to all the biking I was doing.  I think it definitely helped my fitness.  Who knows, maybe I could have done better if I had spent my biking time running instead, but I would say that the improvement would have been marginal at best.  Basically, whatever floats your boat, training wise.  If you are happy and feel good doing both biking and running then go for it.  I don't have any specific training plan for you.  I was a sample of one.  I just know that it can be done because I did it.  Good luck.

I will totally agree that you can do both as long as you don't push past the limits on the bike.  I trained for a 1/2 this Spring using the bike for Cross training and cut a PR.  I'm currently training for the MCM and doing the same thing but I'm not pushing myself to extremes on the bike just using it for cross training and not doing both on the same day.

Happy Running,
Troy
"Start with your Head, Finish with your Heart!"

I used to hate brick workouts when I was a cyclist moving towards being a runner.  Now that I am a runner getting back into cycling I don't have any problems at all.  I attribute that to the fact that running can be supplemented by cycling but not the other way around.  It seems to loosen my legs up and help me recover actively instead of slogging through consecutive run workouts. 

 

The reason many triathletes run good half times in half irons is probably because they are good runners that have good base miles running supplemented with good cycling base.  The result is coming off the bike ready to run without tired legs.   A great runner with little cycling fitness will no doubt suffer greatly in the run and post a mediocre time even if their run training is superior to a more balanced approach.  The question is what are your goals(triathlon/ half marathon?)  if it is a half then concentrate on getting the run base up high and use the bike to recover actively.   Don't expect to run well if you bike a lot and run a little.  Run a lot and cycle a little and you'll probably be fine.  

 

Which do you want to do more?... get ready for century rides in november? (not likely) or have a good time in the half marathon....?