Mountain Biking - Does anyone else run to cross-train?

I was out on one of my lunchtime runs today and, as my mind wandered (as it often does when I run), I got to wondering if any of you other BFers cross-train by running.

I try to get out at least three days a week at lunchtime. Most of my runs are loops that vary anywhere from 3.5 - 4.5 miles - - something bite-sized that I can do, shower and get back to work in the hour. I guess the reasons I do it are:

I love running (the masochist in me)
Varies my routine – especially in the winter when riding means indoors on a trainer
I feel distance running imparts a certain mental toughness that I cannot readily duplicate riding (there’s no coasting when you run - - to get back you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other)


So how ‘bout it? Do you run? How much? Or maybe you don’t - - tell us why you might feel that time is better spent in the saddle.

Yes i do. every day, somtimes 2 times a day. sprint work out atleast 3 times a week followed by a distance run the folowing day.

see my signature, my new track shoes, there so sexy:D

No, I just sit on my bum all winter and get nice and pudgy. :D

To cold to run right now but I put in about 12 -15 miles a week otherwise. This will help your cardio but not your riding legs.

I used to run a lot. Recently got back into it, and swimming too. 10k 2 or 3 times a week at about 9min miles, and 3k in the pool 2 or 3 times a week in about an hour.

I'm hoping it pays dividends come spring time next time i encounter a hill (rare occasion in ohio), but im in it for a triathlon in August.

To cold to run right now but I put in about 12 -15 miles a week otherwise. This will help your cardio but not your riding legs.That's what I've always understood too - - different muscle groups get worked. We're back up on/above freezing here now. I don't like it when it gets to the teens and definitely get on the trainer during the single digits.

Little Leo - - Wish I could get more in. Used to do almost every weekday with one of those being some interval workout, plus a longer weekend run. But that was when I ran competitively. MTB racing has eclipsed that.

I hate running, it bothers my left shin.

I am 15 really dont have a job. so i have a lot of time. plus im on the varsity track team, so i have to run every day. i personaly think running is boaring. riding is way more fun.

I hate running, it bothers my left shin.

Shinsplints?

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Does soccer count?

Yep

cross country For The Win! track sucks, i hate running in circles.

biking is probably more fun just because you can go twice as far and twice as fast... but XC is more fun because it takes so much mental capacity to go long.

Yep

That sucks. Got thoughs too. :) Probably not as bad because I can still run on them.

I use the fixie to cross-train.

im 15 to, i play basketball we run a lot, i also run cross country

i hate running though

cross country For The Win! track sucks, i hate running in circles.

biking is probably more fun just because you can go twice as far and twice as fast... but XC is more fun because it takes so much mental capacity to go long.

I disagree. I used to represent my region (level below state) for XC running in HS. I find road running much more mentally tough. With XC the terrain changes so quickly you dont have time to let your mind wander. When its just blacktop following blacktop, then you need the mental game just to keep going.

well true xc is 95% off the roads, thats why i like it better. :) plus you've got the nice long hill workouts unlike track.

I spend the cold months in the gym. Aside from lifting, I use the stationary bikes or cross trainers to keep the ticker in shape.

Yeah. I don't actually run to cross train though. I ride for fun. I run to stay in shape for soccer, so they're separate activities for me.

Unfortunately, I found it's a lot of trouble to get dressed and get out the door for either when it's cold and windy out. That's the part I need to work on the most.

I hate running, it bothers my left shin.

Have you gotten fitted for a decent pair of running shoes? I got terrible shin splints (runs in the family) through high school and part of college, then went to a running store with my friend and spent about 3 hours talking to the local running guru. He asked me a billion questions, then grabbed a pair off the shelf (sized me just by glancing at my feet), told me to put 'em on, and then had me run around the block while he watched.

Gave me a few pointers on form, and told me to come back in a few weeks if I was having pain. I haven't gone back - I gather that the pain of being slow is one I'm going to have to live with, at least until I'm under 200 pounds.

Have you gotten fitted for a decent pair of running shoes? I got terrible shin splints (runs in the family) through high school and part of college, then went to a running store with my friend and spent about 3 hours talking to the local running guru. He asked me a billion questions, then grabbed a pair off the shelf (sized me just by glancing at my feet), told me to put 'em on, and then had me run around the block while he watched.

Gave me a few pointers on form, and told me to come back in a few weeks if I was having pain. I haven't gone back - I gather that the pain of being slow is one I'm going to have to live with, at least until I'm under 200 pounds.

Even with proper running shoes and form I can't run. Used to do xc running up to my sophmore year in high school. It was a mix between shinsplints and that my left knee used to always sprain or twist easily, it became too much to deal with so I just focused on cycling. Had that problem up until I tore my left acl back in 2003.

Even with proper running shoes and form I can't run. Used to do xc running up to my sophmore year in high school. It was a mix between shinsplints and that my left knee used to always sprain or twist easily, it became too much to deal with so I just focused on cycling. Had that problem up until I tore my left acl back in 2003.

That sucks. My best cycling pal can't go on runs with me, tore his left acl and mcl, and his right acl playing football in junior high.

Running's not all it's cracked up to be anyway - when an endurance event is only 4 hours, what kind of fun is that?

Running is Satan's favourite cross-training method.

Actually, I wish I could run, but my knees are permanently borked. When I could run, it was great. Over hill and over dale, through the woods and back... I miss it so much, even though it's been 20 years since I've been out there. Riding singletrack is better, but sometimes it goes by too fast. :|

Yep. I try to run at least three times a week. I usually try to run immediately after a weekday ride, but mostly do it in the mornings.

I'm not much of a runner (never was) so I only do about three miles when I get out.

I'm starting to do more running now, since I have to for my basic PE class (that I'm just now taking as a senior in college...). From a fitness perspective I love it, but I'm not the biggest fan of running...

Thanks for all the experiences, folks. Sounds like I'm not alone on the lonely road after all. I was a cross country runner in high school; laid off until age 40, when my wife and daughter bought me a good pair of Asics for my 40th birthday and I took off again. One of my dreams still is to do an Xterra Off-Road Triathlon.

I'll be the first to admit that biking (especially DH) is much more fun.

The Army makes me run everyday 4+ miles which i hated at first but i don't mind it so much anymore. The gym i go to also has a spinning class that really has improved my leg muscles and endurance.

Just wondering what most people's trainup for a race is? what do you focus on in the gym?

I got stress fractures (1 in each leg) the last 2 seasons of running. Which were Junior track and Senior XC, even with very nice shoes (that actually made my shin splints go away totally). So I don't run anymore. But I have discovered that swimming is really amazing cross training. It's not even all that hard if you aren't a super good swimmer with flippers. It really really works your hip flexors which can often be a weak point on the bike. Also good aerobic effort/breathing control practice.

I despise running.


I'll show myself out.

Well, as you can tell from my username I do XTERRA triathlons, so I swim, bike and run every week. The only real difference is in the winter I add in some weight room time, and decrease the distances on the running and biking. But in about another month, the distances all increase and the intensity goes up after that. I started on road tris, and after 5 years of that got bored. Bought a mountain bike a year and a half ago and haven't looked back since. If you're really interested in doing an Xterra, let me give you a few hints. First, you need to practice swimming, but ESPECIALLY in Xterra, you'll never win a race based on your swim. Work on technique more than anything so you're not in the back of the pack. Most of the swims are two loops. You swim 500-600 meters, get out and run 100 - 200 meters, get back in the water and do it again. Most Xterra bike courses are not what a NORBA XC racer would claim to be really hard, but they are hard enough. Usually somewhere around 30-40 K. The run is anywhere from 5 K to 10 K depending on the course. It's not a straight trail run, so be ready to climb up some large boulders, or other obstacles (i.e. the Mayan wall in Richmond which is a 40 foot high railroad tie set of steps). I've never had so much fun and been so tired. It blows away the whole Ironman thing. If you want to see what the bike course is like, go to www.pedalmasher.com and look for the Xterra videos. They did the helmet cam thing for Tahoe and Maui and are really good ways to see what the courses are like. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Xterradork - I watched the Xterra championship on CBS this past weekend. You guys are amazing!

As for cross training I did some running back in November and December. I absolutely hate it. It tears my knees up, especially my left one. I don't know if it is because I tore my ACL years ago or not. I also put in a good bit of time in the gym from November through January as well as my bike time (including trainer). Right now I am just on the bike five or six days a week plus I go to the gym three mornings a week and do the stairmaster for an hour. Not only does it help me lose weight I really believe it helps me with my climbing.

I watched the Xterra championship too, and honestly, i think most of the athletes need to work on thier riding skills more. The fitness level is impressive, but seeing them on the decent was not nearly as awe inspiring.

It has nothing on Ironman though in terms of human endurance and sheer will power. You just can't compare a 1 mile swim, 19 mile bike, and 7 mile run to Ironman, Swim 2.4 mile, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 mile.

It has nothing on Ironman though in terms of human endurance and sheer will power. You just can't compare a 1 mile swim, 19 mile bike, and 7 mile run to Ironman, Swim 2.4 mile, Bike 112 miles, Run 26.2 mile.

They are supposed to be completely different events.

'Olympic lengthish' tri's, on and off road, are all about speed and how much pain you can tolerate for a couple of hours. At least, that's what they are about if you are trying to win or place.

They are not about endurance at all.

Either way, they are fun to compete in. Duathlons and Triathlons, that is.

And re: running: I am a huge fan of long trail runs.

I watched the Xterra championship too, and honestly, i think most of the athletes need to work on thier riding skills more. The fitness level is impressive, but seeing them on the decent was not nearly as awe inspiring.


I was really hoping that the downhill they showed was worse than it looked. Going by the number of bad crashes I would say that it was.

I run three times a week—because my girl makes me (she ran and road-raced in college), my dog makes me (her breed run 35-mile-days herding cattle), and my coach* makes me (cross-training supposed to be good for negative cycling muscles whatever that means). I never ran before this year.

*actually I just moved and am not in a team anymore—if anyone knows a fun coed team (road) for us in philly lemme know...

I find running to be good for pushing my heart-rate closer to my max and keeping it there. It's harder to get there riding in a pack unless it's during a race. it's also a good way to stretch out sore cycling muscles, vice-versa. I can run down to the teens and feel hot, while I can only ride down to the mid-thirties cause I freeze, so it's especially imortant in the winter.

I won't stop when it gets nice out though because I don't want to start the break-in period all over again—really, really hard when my heart is fit but my running legs are non-existent.

Thanks again everyone. I think I need a gym membership again so I can get my sorry butt back it a pool. Swimming I'm so-so - - better than a rock but certainly no rocket - - and I agree, it's a good overall workout.

Xterradork - Thanks for the extra info on Xterras. Sounds like my brand of punishment. Hope one comes back to the Pac. NW someday. We had an off-road duathlon series two years ago that was a lot of fun, but not enough running. The promoter skewed it to appeal to MTBers and made it a bike-run-bike and made the running leg too short.

I wasn't attempting to say the Xterra was more difficult than Ironman, just more fun. When I did road tris, the training was extremely boring for me. Getting up on Sunday morning at 5:00 AM to do an 80 mile solo ride before the traffic came out was mind-numbing. Ironman is much more difficult for endurance and mental ability, but not what I thought of as fun.

I was really hoping that the downhill they showed was worse than it looked. Going by the number of bad crashes I would say that it was.

I dunno to be honest. I think a lot of these people come from a traditional tri background, not a mtn bike background, and they just aren't very skilled on the decents (although they climbed really well!). Some of the spills they showed just plain shouldnt have happened. On more than a few the riders had thier weight way too far forward, while others just seemed to pick a bad line.


I wasn't attempting to say the Xterra was more difficult than Ironman, just more fun. When I did road tris, the training was extremely boring for me. Getting up on Sunday morning at 5:00 AM to do an 80 mile solo ride before the traffic came out was mind-numbing. Ironman is much more difficult for endurance and mental ability, but not what I thought of as fun.

Ahh, gotcha.

Yes, Tri's, individual running competitions, so it's not really a cross training attempt, it just works out that way!

http://www.buduracing.com/pdf/2007%20vashon%20island%20071507.pdf

Don't know if that's close to you, but here's one in Vashon Island, WA.

Anything in WA is close enough. I missed that the first time looking through the Xterra event schedule, thanks! 1/2-mile swim . . . hmmmm . . . I should be able to survive that. Do people generally do the Xterra swims in wetsuits or not?

Flak - I agree, from all the footage I've seen of Xterras. They often look mighty uncomfortable on descents. Makes me chuckle.

Depends on the water temp whether or not a wetsuit is used. If the water temp is below 72 it's a safe bet that people will be in wetsuits.

Also, remember many of the people getting into Xterra are coming from the road tri group. So many of them do not have excessive mountain bike skills. Last year was my first year in Xterra races, and my first race (Xterra Richmond) I was passed on the bike course by a guy on a rigid singlespeed who didn't look like he was trying too hard. And it was on a climb! So, I've improved significantly in the last year and hopefully will do much better. But yes, the broadcast did not do much to show off the bike skills of the people racing in Maui.

I hate running, it bothers my left shin.

Running stairs will fix that, on top of doing more for your legs than jogging. It is one hellavu workout.

Running stairs will fix that, on top of doing more for your legs than jogging. It is one hellavu workout.

From a physiological perspective I think this is not right. Can you say more Rico?

Best of both worlds of course is a set of stairs in the middle of a distance workout :)

One of my 5 mi. loops has what's known in Spokane as the Perry Stairs: about halfway in, there is about a 4-block grade approach to about a 3-story set of stairs that connect two dead-end streets. Killer. I learned about it from the HS cross country coach.

Running stairs will fix that, on top of doing more for your legs than jogging. It is one hellavu workout.
Running stairs will fix shin splints? are you kidding me? Once you have shin splints the only cure is rest. Period.

I jog 3-5 miles about 3-4 times a week. I can't jog everyday. So I do it part of the week.

I ran stairs at my company for 2 years 3 times a week until they said to quit doing it, legal reasons if i fall and get hurt. The building is 4 stories so up to the top then back down 25 times none stop = 100 flights. Yeah it'll kick your butt. This did more for my lungs and legs than running ever has. I've ran several races here in KY, actually it's the Louisville triple crown series, 5k, 10k and a 10 miler then the mini marathon 13 miles. I'm not going to break out a speech on physics and all that crap. Go run 3 miles or go run up 80 flights of stairs, each should take less 30 minutes and tell me which one had you hurting more. I'll leave it at that.

My shins hurt a little when I started running stairs and they went away after about a month. I then did lots of research reguarding running stairs and read that it will cure shin splints. If your shins hurt then it's because they are not strong enough yet and can be cured after you build up strength. I know my legs were sore as hell when I started mountain biking, the cure was to keep riding and waa laaa it went away.

I once trained for the equivalent of the Firefighters Combat Challenge (getting ready for a FD physical agility test) up and down stairs carrying a load of 3" hose. Rules say you have to hit every step too. That'll beat the crap out of you. I was in good shape that season.

I was out on one of my lunchtime runs today and, as my mind wandered (as it often does when I run), I got to wondering if any of you other BFers cross-train by running.

I try to get out at least three days a week at lunchtime. Most of my runs are loops that vary anywhere from 3.5 - 4.5 miles - - something bite-sized that I can do, shower and get back to work in the hour. I guess the reasons I do it are:
I love running (the masochist in me)
Varies my routine – especially in the winter when riding means indoors on a trainer
I feel distance running imparts a certain mental toughness that I cannot readily duplicate riding (there’s no coasting when you run - - to get back you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other)
So how ‘bout it? Do you run? How much? Or maybe you don’t - - tell us why you might feel that time is better spent in the saddle. sure i run. probably for about 15 yrs or so. i never do anything real long. around 3-6 mi. when i feel like it.

. . . when i feel like it.That probably means you've missed the joys of going out in driving blizzards or steady drizzles, eh?

My fav runs have always been the ones in pouring rain in the middle of summer.