how many of you run for cross-training?

[joshben]

Cyclocross, it seems, would be the cycling discipline in which cross-training is most important. But i've never seen running (or any other sort of cross-training) discussed here. Just wondering, does anyone run in preparation for the 'cross season? What kind of running (sprinting, distance, etc)?

[dirtyphotons]

i run distance mostly (training for my first marathon). but i wouldn't say it's ostensibly for the sake of training for cyclocross. seems like sprints and hills would translate more directly to cross racing.

[Adagio Corse]

I do hard 440 sprints and 200m hill sprints in addition to 30 minute elliptical machine runs at 200rpm.

[Ronsonic]

Running is for pedestrians who plan poorly.

It is grudgingly accepted as something necessary in cyclocross training. We do it, but don't like to talk about it.

Ron

[bitterken]

Depends on the types of courses your area has. For us in New England, there isn't a whole lot of running. There's the usual barriers and short hill run ups (though one course has a crazy long and steep one), but nothing that you really need to specific distance or sprint training for. Also keep in mind that any substantial run up will also be a bottleneck, so it's not like being a good runner will even help you much if you're stuck behind a bunch of folks. You're better off practicing a fast mount and acceleration.

[Milice]

yes, Just started doing intervals on a treadmill on days that I dont ride. Trainer said its good for me. But then she also has me lifting 5 days a week and doing about a million crunches. Im starting to think having fun shouldnt hurt this bad.

[Adagio Corse]

Running is just part of my regular workout regimen and whether it helps CX is a bonus. It actually doesn't help much, because there isn't much extended running involved in the races I've been to.

[thatguy]

Running is fun. Why wouldn't you run? Some days it's just easier to put on some shoes, go out the door and get a great workout.

[dirtyphotons]

Running is for pedestrians who plan poorly.

i want a t shirt with this on it.

[Bertie]

I think running in general has less obvious benefits for cyclists. Tones other muscles, stretches out hamstrings, improves bone density (less breaks), but the big one is that it keeps the heart rate at a steadier high...which is good (cross) training for TT, Hills and CX. I think it has a place on rainy days and dark nights, but just steady running is fine.

[Sir Bikesalot]

Running is good for heart conditioning, lung capacity, increasing red blood cell count and hence oxygen capacity--things that benefit all sports. However, if you run too much, you may build up muscles and/or muscle memory that may act against best cycling efficiency. Just remember to bike more than you run.

[climbhoser]

Running is fun. Why wouldn't you run? Some days it's just easier to put on some shoes, go out the door and get a great workout.

Why wouldn't I run? Because running hurts like the dickens! I really don't enjoy running at all, but I can bike all day hard and never feel like I'm doing something I don't like or that I want to quit.

Running makes me want to quit every minute of it. No matter how much stretch my back inevitably siezes up. My knees ache and groan, and if I run a few days in a row I'm out of commission for a while.

I can sprint, mind you, and do agility training and plyometrics, but long distance running makes my body fall apart.

I'm young, too, at 27, but I just can't stand running!

I'm a bike only guy.

[xccx]

i run for cross. approx 4-5 x per week, hills and stairs only, and no more than 30-45 min. intensity is key. contrary to what other ppl have said above i find that it makes a big difference in a race when you can gain 2-3 spots or more if you can stomp the runup. the only time i have experienced a bottleneck on a run up is on the first lap of a race with a huge (75-100) field....other than that its usually you and 5-10 others, depending on where you are in the pack. cross races spread out quickly.

[Ronsonic]

Expanding a little, the main reason to run is to moderate the shock of the dismount-run-remount drill. Wear a HRM and practice your dismounts and remounts. The better you can run, the lower the spike and the better you recover on the bike afterwards. May or may not gain time but not screwing up your ride is worth time itself.

Ron

[mazpr]

I run as well just to get a break from the saddle.

I do enjoy running, breathing properly is a key part on this sport. Climbhoser, I have heard it before from friends who get the same pain you are describing. I dont know, I guess I am lucky cause when I was younger I had a cast on both ankles at different times in the same year. Doctors told me I could never go back to running again, it took about two years to finally run without any signs of painful swelling.

One thing that helped a lot to strenghten my ligaments was therapy and weight training. Also I have one of those PedicurePro Foot Spas, these things do work wonders with some warm water and epsom salt.

In terms of supplements I take glucosamine, shark cartilage, Omega 3, Complex B and a set of amino acids; Arginine, Ornithine and Lysine.

Running has its days in where sometimes I dont want to do anything at all and then other days I am on a roll, blending it with other sports keeps me on a fresh focus all the time.

[climbhoser]

Well, I know my ligaments aren't primo, but I think my body type has something to do with it, too.

I'm over 200 lbs. and probably always will be as it's a very athletic 200 lbs. I would have to wither away quite a bit of muscle to drop below that mark. I'm built like a wrestler (was a wrestler) and we used to run35-40 miles per week. So, I have my experience on my feet.

But, like I said, oddest thing whenever I start running my back locks up, no matter how much stretching I do, and it's like a zen mind control practice to just try and force it to relax, which it never does. The knee pain isn't immediate, either. It usually comes in week 2 or 3 when I start up the running regimen again, and is there when I wake up one day and doesn't leave until I quit running. It's acute and makes me limp when I walk.

I do have an impingement in my left shoulder and left hip (tendonitis related) that all docs I've talked to say I will have for life, and these make running hurt, too. Sometimes when my left foot hits the pavement I feel a wave of numbness run from my hip to my knee to my ankle. Not good.

So, I'm obviously a special case :eek:

However, I know running can wreak havoc on the body, even if you are a 6' 140 lb. super teen. The cross country coach at my high school couldn't walk anymore because his knees got so trashed from running. To each his own, but I say boo.

[flargle]

As this thread shows, most cyclists hate running. So if you are really serious about improving your standings in CX, embrace running as an integral part of your training. At the very least, it gives a nice psychological boost on courses that involve a lot of portaging.

My enjoyment of running has increased tremendously after applying the concepts of the "pose" and "chi" schools. In short, nice tall posture with a slight forward lean, high cadence (85-90 rpm), mid-foot landing (as opposed to the heel landing that was drilled into us during the jogging craze).

[i_r_beej]

I'll second Ronsonic.

Running is boring and no fun. If i'm going to be out "exercising" i'd just as soon be doing something that i love-- namely cycling.

That said, when it gets all gloomy out and cyclocross season is upon us, i set up my practice barriers and run and ride around the block for about 30-40 mins. Half the roads around my neighborhood are dirt/gravel and i get almost as dirty and muddy as i do in a race!