jbmadtown

+1 on a slow transition. Ease into it and make sure you have good shoes w/ low miles on them. Stress fractures suck, as I found out this spring.

bryroth

To all the (useless) posts that say running is hard on the knees, does anyone have a winter alternative?

I see Pcad suggests cycling. I'm guessing others use a trainer. I just ordered a laptop stand so that I can have my keyboard in front of me while I use the trainer, which is kind of depressing.

So just out of curiosity are there any cyclists out there who use a Nordic-Track, or a Thigh-Buster during the winter months? (Something besides running and cycling.)

ARCycle

going from cycling to running is just too boring. i hate running, unless i'm playing basketball

dark13star

+100

I thought I had given up running for ever, but this book taught me to run without injury. However, when I recommend it to people they often give me this look like "you expect me to read a book about running!"

Anyway, just got back from a 10k run at lunch. I find I like to run in metric. It makes the distances seem larger.

dark13star

I have a Nordic Track in my basement that you could have, if you were local. I can't stand the thing. I have never found exercise equipment built for the home market that is worth having other than free weights and bosu balls. We gave away a Total Gym too.

I like to put together a playlist of songs I would like to learn to play on the guitar and analyze them while I am running. When I get home, I plug it in and try to play them only to find that I didn't figure out much, but it is still fun and passes the time.

Nbois

Taking months off from running, then jumping back into it will definitely hurt, as it does with any exercise. Start off slow, basically a jog (9-10 min/mile or so), just to get the joints used to the banging of the road again.

I run year round, but prefer winter running actually and ramp up my training in late winter for the spring events. I really just keep my base fitness level for running over the summer, running 5k 2-3 times a month.

I use a trainer through the winter to keep my pedaling in shape, but go crazy sitting in one spot for longer than an hour or two. I really just use the trainer for interval training. Try one interval routine for a couple weeks, then switch it up for the next couple. I'm always looking for different workouts on the trainer, and try to switch it up when I get bored.

I picked up a Mtn bike this summer, and plan to try it out on the snow this winter as well.

Otherwise I still play hockey once or twice a week. I usually start lap swimming after the holiday season. And there's always snow to shovel (great core workout).

vger285

i ride most of the winter, but if we get alot of snow, i'll go snowshoing or cross country skiing,if it is real bad out i'll do the trainer for an hour or some other work out video.

rnorris

I do a lot of both, and find after many years that while running and cycling do have mutual benefits, one can't substitute for the other- you have to train for each independently. The cardio benefits of running help me with long hill climbs on the bike, particularly at high altitude, and it keeps my muscles stretched out. Running also adds bone density, which cycling really doesn't do. But running doesn't build muscle, nor is it a practical means of commuting or long distance travel like cycling. When I'm limited to doing one of them for some reason, I miss the other.

RoadToNowhere

Running isn't an option for me, but walking two to three 12-minute miles a few times a week is a great substitute.

I'll stay out on the road through the winter, but most rides are limited to the weekends. During the week I'll add in the weights, spin 2-3 times in the week, and do a little yoga.

I don't mix it up enough during the rest of the year when I'm riding more; my joints really seize up. Just a few changes in the last couple of weeks and I feel better already.

Beth

NYJayhawk

I hate running, but in terms of bang for the buck fitness, it's pretty good. I'm transitioning now that i've got almost zero daylight to work with 5 days a week.

The first 2 times I was sore as hell, but it was just from unused muscles. Now, half a dozen runs into the off season, the soreness is gone.

cmanbrazil

Let your body guide you. If it hurts too much, don't push too hard until your body adapts. I have found once I passed forty to ease into things and it prevents injury

Machka 

Have you thought of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing?

furiousferret

The best advice I can give about running is: whatever you do, dont overdo it. Its not like cycling where you can do an extra 20 miles, if you go too far running bad things can and will happen. Set a very conservative schedule and stick to it.

MDcatV

+1. I run this time of year as well for general health and to crosstrain some. It hurts, just gotta work through it.

RoadToNowhere

It's not quite as black and white, snow vs. no snow as you may be thinking for most of us.

We get snow, but more frequently we have ice storms. The snow doesn't last, but the ice does. Then consider the anti-skid chemicals that coat the roads from Nov. through Feb., and you have messy, gravel-covered roads all winter long.

To find areas to cross-country ski or snowshoe would require a drive to a ski resort. What's the point in that?

Not quite the same options as those farther north (or south) of the mid-Atlantic region.

Beth

bryroth

Is it really? I might give that a shot to see if it actually is.

aham23

some folks considering a 12 minute pace running. it would be a pretty brisk walk that is for sure. later.

RoadToNowhere

It is for me. Yes, it is a brisk pace. Which makes it a great substitute.

Do it in good form, keeping the joints of the hips loose, and you've got a great workout. Without the pounding of the knees and spine.

Beth

dark13star

Or the lower back. That is where I am feeling yesterday's run. I have one leg longer than the other and it causes back pain. I never could adjust to a wedge though.

Wow do I feel those 10k in my leg muscles too. So much different than the hundred miles of climbing on my bike that I did on Friday and Saturday.

RoadToNowhere

Changing the effort up on the body is going to cause discomfort somewhere.

Think about it: you're working your body on the bike most of the time. You're bent at the hips, your core is engaged, and you're strong in that position.

Work your body in an upright position (whether it's running, walking, whatever), and it's a change to the way your core muscles balance your body.

Two Sundays ago I did a century and felt great. Last Sunday, I volunteered at a local event and was standing for 5 solid hours. My back was killing me for a couple of days for that.

While obviously we all love the fitness we have from cycling, it's not necessarily functional fitness. If the body hurts doing mundane things, cycling fitness is not enough.

Beth

ravenmore

I think I'm going to take on the Austin Distance Challenge this year. Its a series of running race events that get longer and longer and culminate in a marathon. I've always wanted to do a marathon. I'll probably scale by my riding quite a bit, although I'll still commute and that's pretty decent miles.

HastyDeparture

If it's not sub-6, it's not running.

dark13star

I couldn't agree more. That is what I meant above about all my cycling not preparing me for this year's backpacking trips. As much as I love to ride, I am trying to balance it with other exercise, running included, even during the good cycling season.