Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Running and Long Distance riding

Does running a few times a week affect long distance cycling positively or negatively, or not at all? Thinking of doing a bit of running and possibly 5ks over the summer to lose weight and get ready for next years brevet season (Arizona has a very early Brevet seaseon which is over pretty much).

Running has always been a positive compliment to my cycling, but not necessarily to long distance cycling, but more so for sustained intensity on the bike.

Since cycling is not an impact activity running is a good compliment, fitness-wise. Impact exercise is essential for bone strength so running should round out your training.

Does running a few times a week affect long distance cycling positively or negatively, or not at all?Ding ding ding, the only part of the question that can be answered -- YES, running will have some effect on cycling.

There isn't any use of speculating. Depending on your own skill and common sense, you can either maintain or enhance one form of exercise or the other.

In any case, either type of exercise could enhance or detract from the other. It's the pattern of activity and selection of intensity that will either promote or degrade performance in one sport or the other.

I've noticed that my running and biking are mutually supportive. For instance I ran 12 miles this Sunday with 3,300 ft of vertical gain - in under 2 hours.

I certainly could not have done that at the beginning of the season, prior to riding.

Also I have noticed that intensity on the bike seems to be improved by running. In regards to aeobic capacity, I believe the key is to study where your HR is during these periods of sustained effort. I am usually in the low 70%'s (of max HR) for biking and in the high 70%'s for running. The intensity that I can maintain is longer with running for me. I believe that is due to the specificity of biking-related muscle recruitment. Running involves more muscles.

BTW, I am training simulataneously for a marathon and a double century.

So, are there any good guides on how to train for both at once? I may be doing a half marathon in August, and will do a couple of centuries after (and possibly one before, if I can fit it in).

So, are there any good guides on how to train for both at once? I may be doing a half marathon in August, and will do a couple of centuries after (and possibly one before, if I can fit it in).

The risk over-training is greater than undertraining. For biking only, the general guideline is a 10% increase in mileage per week. To the extent that running is a substitute for some of the biking, I would apply that guideline to your training regimin.

Don't over do it. Train related injuries are more frequent when you over stress your body.

Running a little positively effects my weight. Or should I say negatively. I mean it helps me lose weight, much better than cycling alone.
Losing weight helps my cycling.

Losing weight helps my cycling.by making me a better climber....

The risk over-training is greater than undertraining....
Uh... I'm already doing centuries, so sorta well aware of the 10% rule. ;)

I'm thinking more of how to fit in running and cycling into some type of interval-based training, and prep for the half marathon without losing too much time on the bike.

Midwinter I was adding in 3 days a week (about 9 miles total) running. Easy terrain.
It really helped kick start some cardio improvements and weight loss.

I've found that when I focus only on the bike (like the last 2 months) I get sore from hiking and even the shortest run. Running adds impact and builds muscle groups that allow you to move in 3 dimensions (road cycling is a fairly 2d sport, in terms of body mechanics)


Hmm. Guess I need to get back to it... without feeling like I'm getting beat up every week.

Richard - I agree, you are once again master of the obvious. ;)

So, are there any good guides on how to train for both at once? I may be doing a half marathon in August, and will do a couple of centuries after (and possibly one before, if I can fit it in).

You can try here (http://www.racingunderground.com/training.html).
They list a few... even some basic ones for cheap$.

I've just hired a local coach. He works with a local university and with all sorts of athletes. Currently we have a cycling plan in the works. Reasonably cheap to have a fitness pro help set it up based on my schedule and goals.

Does running a few times a week affect long distance cycling positively or negatively, or not at all? Thinking of doing a bit of running and possibly 5ks over the summer to lose weight and get ready for next years brevet season (Arizona has a very early Brevet seaseon which is over pretty much).

Depends how you phrase the question. If you're adding runs to your existing cycling regimen, it helps your overall fitness which will probably help your cycling. If you're taking time away from cycling, it'll hurt your cycling.

That said, it could give you an interesting change of pace, and as mentioned is definitely good for your bones.

So, are there any good guides on how to train for both at once? I may be doing a half marathon in August, and will do a couple of centuries after (and possibly one before, if I can fit it in).Not really. Of course there hundreds of articles on multi-sport training. But each individual athlete presents there own complex set of talents, current conditioning and particular mix of goals. Once, you get past basics, and a clear understanding of aerobic and anaerobic development, no single set of instructions, training program or routine can possibly fit more than one athlete. [hence my perfectly succinct, previously posted comments]



I'm thinking more of how to fit in running and cycling into some type of interval-based training, and prep for the half marathon without losing too much time on the bike. 05-22-07 06:04 PMWithout a clear understanding of your goals, and an evaluation of your current relative strengths regarding cycling and running, as well as a knowledge of your power-profiles [curve] in each activity, no specific, accurate advice is possible.

Since you mention the half-marathon as a goal, and since it is primarily an aerobic athletic event, then I can generally advise that you need to run as often, and as long, as you can to prepare for it. (at least 50 miles per week, if the event IS your main goal)

To limit, any loss or lack of cycling proficiency, you could maintain shorter, but very focused exercise sessions with higher proportions of intensity. Typically, after any running sessions have been completed.

As one previous post noted, a skilled experience coach, who knows your skills and goals is probably the best method of assuring accurate, productive training sessions.