C Law

Do you acheive the same benefits from a 'recovery run' as you would a recovery bike ride?

In other words, yesterday I did a long hard bike ride. Today, I know I should get some blood flowing back into the legs. Would a light run be as beneficial as a light bike ride assuming same amount of time, same heart rate, etc.

Makoa

I use biking as a recovery workout from hard runs a lot. I don't see why going the other way would not work just as well. Like you said, the goal is just to get the blood flowing, muscles loose, etc. Just stay away from the hills if you can. Hill running more closely duplicates biking, from a muscle-use standpoint, and downhill running can be pretty painful if your quads are already sore/weak from a hard ride.

barleyrocket

I've heard it said (and of course that's the most reliable info you get get right?) that there is no such thing as a recovery run. The impact of the run make it harder on the body that biking in any way. I would use (as a triathlete) either another spin on the bike (short easy) or a swim. Just another take on things.
Have fun.

Santaria

I mix them, ride one day, run the next - the world will never know which is the actual recovery activity and which is not.

I'd suggest no though, simply because running is significantly harder on joints/tendons than cycling unless your biomechanically efficient.

That, and I can never run less than 10 miles, even if I try.