Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixed Gear and Running

I've noticed that riding my fixed gear bike has improved my running endurance and speed. It's pretty cool. I used to run a lot but stopped, and picked up swimming instead. I've been biking for about a month now, and just yesterday decided to run a little bit.. I felt like I could go forever, as if I had never stopped running. Have other runners noticed improvement from (fixie) cycling?

yup, noticable improvement on the hills when i ride more (i run trails), and my riding gets better when i run more. it's a nice little feedback loop.

My son & I both improved our running from cycling. We both ride fixed & multi-speed bikes, but I would say the effect from riding fixed is probably even greater. Maybe this is partly due to the constant leg movement from riding fixed (similar to running). We both benefited, I believe, from increased leg strength & a much larger aerobic base. It's hard to run two to six hours every day!

i think cycling is great cross training for running. i definitely noticed an improvement in
my running. i especially enjoy combining both into one workout, like riding out to river
road and then running or something. i even oranized an alleycat among friends that
had a running part to it. that was some funny ****! good to hear there are
other fixie runners out there.


dc

Maybe it's just me, but aside from aerobic benefits and the nice variety that comes from any kind of crosstraining, I don't think running and biking compliment each other much. I find that if for a week or two I don't ride my bike, but have run quite a bit, my spin is crap when I first get back on the track bike. The same situation seems to happen on the flip side, I'm running, but my legs are thinking about pedaling in little circles, so my stride seems a bit funky for the first few clicks.
I've read that different muscle groups are used for each activity, so I'd think the strenght gains from one would not necessarily help the other either.

Running and cycling are very much complimentary. If they were the same, then they would not be complimentary.

Because each exercise works complimentary muscles, it helps prevent overuse injury.

i feel as though my running has improved as well, back when i was strictly riding my MTB, when i didnt run for awhile it seemed more difficult. With the fixie i can not run for a couple of weeks and still feel ok with my runs.

Running and cycling are very much complimentary.
i like complimentary colours

Yea, I guess I was thinking about cycling not enhancing running performance in my experience. Complimenting was perhaps not the correct word.

I've had weird experiences with it... I think my running has been helped by fixed cycling, but I think that I'm not used to fixed cycling enough for it to help my running. Plus, I run a 48:16, which, when riding around town, leads to a lot of mashing. Add this to not being used to stretching after biking (I stretch religiously after running) and it's caused me some hip pain on the running front.

That said, I think that is has been able to help keep me in shape during time off from running. I did a 5k a couple weeks ago after 2 weeks of no running, and managed to finish within 20 seconds of my friend who was doing 60-mile weeks. I think when I have more time, and get more used to fixed, it will get better.

I used to run quite a bit and regulary. Now that I cycle and cycle for more time than I used to run, my aerobic capbility is very much better. BUT - there are some muscles that are not used cycling that are used running and some muscles are both used but differently, so if I go for a run now it is with great ease, but I am sore the next day like I have never been sore before, far worse sore than when I didn't run for a long time than ran the same distance.

By far the worst are the downhill muscles. I was unable to go downhill or downstairs after my last 4mi run in hilly terrain, even though it was one of the easiest runs I've done (uphills were a breeze) and also one I did when I ran occasionally and never got sore. I went with my brother on this run, he passed me on all the downhills which I hobbled down, I gain back on all the uphills. ;)

Al

well I hate to drop the L bomb here, but Lance initially was a runner.

well I hate to drop the L bomb here, but Lance initially was a runner.
You mean triathlete?

the cardio helps me last longer in basketball.. i cant run.. takes too much patience -- ill always be thinking, "i can cover this ground so much faster on a bike!'

You mean triathlete?
I dont know, was he a triathalete? I'm talking high school days. I remember seeing something along those lines on the tube.

I dont know, was he a triathalete? I'm talking high school days. I remember seeing something along those lines on the tube.

yes, a runner before tri ... all complementary.

but yeah, i think the benefit comes from overall muscle development (not just legs) and the consistent exertion level. i ride and run tons. but the first time i rode fixed, i was feelin' it in places i didn't know existed.