seypat

What is happening is that people are starting to realize they have to change their current lifestyle and get off the couch. That is a good thing. You have to start somewhere, so that is why you see the "tubby people out there wheezing" in which ever activity they choose. You will see them wheezing away running, on the bike, swimming, in classes at the gym, etc. They've decided to make a change and good for them. I was having this very type of conversation with my Brother In Law over the weekend. He is a heavy guy. That weight caused him to have back problems and then some back surgeries. Now after the surgeries, he is making a change. He has lost 25lbs doing Tae Kwon Do. His next goal is to run a 5K. Good for him, he is getting off the couch.

I am lucky that I live in a city that has a powerful Non Profit Organization that promotes a healthy lifestyle and gives people the opportunity to live it. Take a look at what they do around the greater Richmond area.

https://www.sportsbackers.org/

On the weekends during the training season for the Richmond Full/Half Marathons/10K, their training teams will send out between 500-1000 runners each weekend, maybe more on the streets of Richmond. There are other training teams in the area as well. That's a lot of people getting off the couch.

They had a training team set up for The Tour Of Richmond Bike Tour this year until the title sponsor folded and the ride had to be cancelled. So they turned their support to the local bike club(RABA) and helped them elevate their yearly event.

https://www.heartofvacentury.org/

Seattle Forrest

It only takes once...

Seattle Forrest

No.

datlas 

When I am running on the MUP, I generally wave to other runners. I might be doing it wrong. I don't wave to walkers. I only wave to cyclists I know (when running).

Seattle Forrest

I was running (yes, on a MUP) and got passed like I was standing still. I shouted "holy crap you're fast!" to the figure disappearing over the horizon, and heard "training for a marathon" echo back to me. It was my first conversation as a runner!

dalava

That's almost impossible to RUN at pace... it's walking

dalava

One time a few years ago I was running on the MUP and a runner pulled along side of me and said "come with me, I pace you for a bit", and we ran together for about 2 miles before he left me. That was the fastest 2 miles I ever ran up to that point. He was fast, real fast, I think he was doing sub-6 mm training run. It was a great experience and I was grateful that he did that.

I repay that by sometimes if I am seeing someone is struggling a little on the bike, I would pull next to them and tell them to sit on me for 5-10 minutes while I tow them. It's a nice way to make friends.

PepeM

Nothing wrong with walking. It's a good starting point for most, just like riding slowly is.

deacon mark

Be careful about pace and running. I at times have trouble going much faster than a 12 min first mile. I then get warmed up and can get 9-10 minute pace. I can keep this up for 10-15 miles no problem. Sure it is slow but at about 4.5 mph we a technically running. I find a 15 mph ride on flat terrain nothing at all hardly gets my heartrate above 100. For my wife that is smoking fast. Effort and training determine work output.

garciawork

As has been said, I think it has a lot to do with food. I know a lot of cyclists who "ride to eat", whereas runners I have known all tend to "eat to run". The difference in philosophy makes a big impact on calories in/out. I would guess anyone who rides/run to eat will be bigger, and the other way would be on the skinnier side.

Nachoman

Nachoman

i'm going with pleasingly plump.

bargeon

Me too, actually. The "ouch" was my toes getting stepped on. I should know to avoid one word posts.

mcours2006

A nod is also acceptable with runners. Or sometimes even a 'g morning'.

datlas 

I can try that too. It seems most runners have earbuds going so I figure they don't hear me. Personally, I am usually running to 90's grunge and/or indie-pop music.

datlas 

You guys are all too fat for this sport. Personally, I am rocking the Chris Froome body type...sadly, I don't have the FTP to match.

memebag

Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers.

caloso

I forgot about the Hash. It's really more about drinking than running.

memebag

And the same is true for some cycling.

dr_lha

I'm well aware of it. In fact as a kid I did it with my parents, in Malaysia no less, where HHH was started. Back then it was all about fun and games and drinking. Not really running/jogging as we think of it today. Fitness certainly wasn't a consideration.

On on!

San Pedro

I might fit into the "ride to eat", except I love riding in general, almost as much as eating. I'm actually worried about it when I go back to the states. I'll probably gain a bunch of weight just from American food. Wifey will need to keep my diet in check.

hsuehhwa

There are all types of runners and all types of cyclists. "Cyclist" has been used very loosely in the cycling community.


An overweight person running rarely or slow, but with a super expensive pair of running shoes would unlikely brand oneself as a "serious runner", which is not the case for self-proclaimed "serious-cyclists".


A pair of running shoes doesn't automatically make one a runner. Neither should a super-expensive bike.


If you compare runners to cyclists that have dedicated same amount of time or burned similar of amount of calorie in their sports/training, the results should be a lot similar.

fietsbob

After your runner's Knees give out and you take up cycling you live a long life, which may include gaining a Pound or 2.

dalava

Not even close. Next time, try to run for a hour, and then ride for a hour, and let me know if the results are similar.

PepeM

All about intensity. I can do either of those activities really easy or really hard.