g3ck0
04-26-09, 08:34 PM
If I train at long distance running, how much would it help in my long distance running?
Training & Nutrition - Biking good training for long distance running?
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chinarider
04-26-09, 08:47 PM
If I train at long distance running, how much would it help in my long distance running?
Based on the thread title, I assume you meant to ask whether biking will help running. There is some disagreement on this. My own view is that it can by allowing you to increase volume of training without beating up your legs. This assumes you are doing a fair amount of running. If not, you're probably better off increasing your running mileage (assuming you don't have some injury or other physical limitation that prevents you from doing so).
If your primary interest is biking, you're probaly better off just doing that.
Based on the thread title, I assume you meant to ask whether biking will help running. There is some disagreement on this. My own view is that it can by allowing you to increase volume of training without beating up your legs. This assumes you are doing a fair amount of running. If not, you're probably better off increasing your running mileage (assuming you don't have some injury or other physical limitation that prevents you from doing so).
If your primary interest is biking, you're probaly better off just doing that.
g3ck0
04-26-09, 08:52 PM
ok thanks, my main interest is biking so it is what I will be doing more of but I would like train my long distance running too. So I'm guessing biking trains lungs and heart but not leg muscles as much?
gregf83
04-26-09, 09:27 PM
Biking will help you cardio but won't do much to prepare your joints, ligaments, tendons etc for the pounding they take during long distance running.
chinarider
04-27-09, 07:51 AM
ok thanks, my main interest is biking so it is what I will be doing more of but I would like train my long distance running too. So I'm guessing biking trains lungs and heart but not leg muscles as much?
Biking trains muscles also, but my answer was based upon the specificity principle: the best training for an activity is the activity itself. Since biking doesn't beat up your legs like running does, there is usually no reason to supplement biking with running if your goal is to improve at biking. If you want to get better at running, you need to run.
Dan
Biking trains muscles also, but my answer was based upon the specificity principle: the best training for an activity is the activity itself. Since biking doesn't beat up your legs like running does, there is usually no reason to supplement biking with running if your goal is to improve at biking. If you want to get better at running, you need to run.
Dan
rep
04-27-09, 12:56 PM
I tried this back in high school. I was on the cross country team. I commuted to school by bike, and started riding the canyons instead of running. My running subsequently suffered, but I eventually started racing bikes instead.
Prudy
04-27-09, 02:31 PM
This is non scientific, but -
I started cycling about a year ago. Before that I ran and would typically run 3 miles and that's about all I could do. I just put running back into my routine and I am finding that my cardio ability has doubled since this time last year - i can now easily run 5-6 miles the same as I used to run 3.
When I say the same I also mean in about the same time - aka, running 3 miles before took me about 35 minutes - I now can run 5-6 miles in 40 - 45 minutes.
I started cycling about a year ago. Before that I ran and would typically run 3 miles and that's about all I could do. I just put running back into my routine and I am finding that my cardio ability has doubled since this time last year - i can now easily run 5-6 miles the same as I used to run 3.
When I say the same I also mean in about the same time - aka, running 3 miles before took me about 35 minutes - I now can run 5-6 miles in 40 - 45 minutes.
SharpStone30888
04-28-09, 05:53 AM
I think what the OP is saying is that they want to run and want to do some cross-training with the bike. What type/level of cycling should they do to most benefit their running.
Chris
Chris
Zephyr11
04-28-09, 06:36 AM
I'm a runner first and a biker second. Last winter I was injured and couldn't run, but could still bike. It'll keep you in shape cardiovascularly. 5 months of cycling and I lost a lot less than I thought I would. However, the muscles are different. The best way to train for running...is running. So I run pretty much every day...take about a day off per month. On days I ride, I run too.
etothepii
04-28-09, 07:41 AM
I've been looking into marathon training, and one day of cross training (including cycling) is recommended -- but just a half hour, once per week.:(
If you are interested in running with your cycling, look into triathlon training. You could do some duathlons if you like it.
I'm doing sprint triathlons this summer, and perhaps a marathon by October, so I'm exploring the three sport, cross training right now. It's pretty fun, really. But if your passion is cycling, or running, or swimming specifically, you have to sacrifice some of it to have time for the others, which can be a bit of a downer.
If you are interested in running with your cycling, look into triathlon training. You could do some duathlons if you like it.
I'm doing sprint triathlons this summer, and perhaps a marathon by October, so I'm exploring the three sport, cross training right now. It's pretty fun, really. But if your passion is cycling, or running, or swimming specifically, you have to sacrifice some of it to have time for the others, which can be a bit of a downer.