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As an avid biker... are you an avid runner?

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Old 07-06-10 | 07:49 PM
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From: Westbrook, Maine

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As an avid biker... are you an avid runner?

I've shed 35lbs since March doing both, and I'm really loving this way of life... Do anyone else run religiously as well?
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Old 07-06-10 | 08:13 PM
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35 pounds? Wow. Nice job!

I can't run to save my life. Well, I can sprint like a scalded cat, but distance running... Forget it. It's not for lack of trying. I can run a mile, maybe a bit more, and I just have to stop because it's so uncomfortable. I can ride a bicycle for hours. I'm a Hasher, but I can never run an entire trail.
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Old 07-06-10 | 08:16 PM
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I hate running.
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Old 07-06-10 | 08:19 PM
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Yes. I love running.
Love cycling more but still..

Running helps my riding. Riding doesn't help my riding nearly as much.
I am trying to train for a half marathon in fall and maybe a duatholon.
I am bored of cycling events except for club rides.
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Old 07-06-10 | 08:39 PM
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I try to jog a mile or two every week or so. In June I ran a 5k with some of my family. 28 minutes (1 minute quicker than last year!) and my legs hurt for the next two days! I really should do it more.
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Old 07-06-10 | 08:41 PM
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Being a Jarhead I have to run and I like being faster than the students I teach. I run an average of 25 miles a week, give or take a few miles. But that is only commuting one day a week, for now.
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Old 07-06-10 | 08:44 PM
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AF keeps me running even though my cycling to running ratio is probably 15:1. I really need to get the shoes on again and go. PT test is coming up soon.
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Old 07-06-10 | 08:54 PM
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I used to run but it is hard on your body. Had to quit because it was destroying my feet. Cycling is much easier on your body as long as you don't crash and your bike fits you right.
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Old 07-06-10 | 09:00 PM
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I completely disagree with you. Unfortunately, my feet are killing me due to a crappy pair of shoes and I can not afford new ones this month. I suppose you could have something there even though running is what the human body is designed for (supposedly).
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Old 07-06-10 | 09:49 PM
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I used to run sometimes.. but then I bought my bike.
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Old 07-06-10 | 11:00 PM
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I used to run then arthritis in my knees and a ankle left me limping. Switched back to the bike after and I just don't have the pain.
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Old 07-06-10 | 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by DataJunkie
I completely disagree with you. Unfortunately, my feet are killing me due to a crappy pair of shoes and I can not afford new ones this month. I suppose you could have something there even though running is what the human body is designed for (supposedly).
Some recent research has shown that modern running shoes may actually inhibit the foot's natural ability to absorb impact and that running barefoot has lots of benefits. Not to miss a marketing opportunity Nike has introduced a line of shoes designed to mimic barefoot running while still providing some cushioning. The shoes are called Nike "Free".

I used to be a distance runner but I'm not into that as much anymore. I still run though. If you put in a lot of hard miles on a bike you should mix it up with some weight bearing exercise like running, higher impact aerobics, or strength training. High mileage cyclists are at risk for losses in bone density and need weight bearing exercise to compensate.
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Old 07-07-10 | 05:00 AM
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No. Running is boooooring.
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Old 07-07-10 | 05:20 AM
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i love to run...but 2 knee surgeries and pretty bad arthritis keeps me from running distance....i can sprint while playing racquetball and ulti no problem, but for some reason, distance running is just painful.
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Old 07-07-10 | 05:28 AM
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I hate running, got bad knees. And I can't run fast enough to stay cool.
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Old 07-07-10 | 05:43 AM
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I can run about 1/2 a mile before my knees are howling at me. Here's something I noticed riding the trails around here:

Whenever I pass anyone on a bike, I smile at them and they smile back. Sometimes they even say "Hi", or "Hey". They seem genuinely happy. Whenever I pass someone jogging, I smile at them and they're totally deadpan. In fact, they seem utterly miserable. Just an observation
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Old 07-07-10 | 05:44 AM
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I hate running. I used to do it quite a bit in college... I hated it the entire time. But it helped me achieve my weight loss goals.

That's why I don't ride very fast.. I keep a nice steady pace and I enjoy it. If I try to go fast, it's just miserable for me.
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Old 07-07-10 | 06:01 AM
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I was never much of a runner... I certainly don't find any pleasure in it.
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Old 07-07-10 | 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by tjspiel
Some recent research has shown that modern running shoes may actually inhibit the foot's natural ability to absorb impact and that running barefoot has lots of benefits. Not to miss a marketing opportunity Nike has introduced a line of shoes designed to mimic barefoot running while still providing some cushioning. The shoes are called Nike "Free".

I used to be a distance runner but I'm not into that as much anymore. I still run though. If you put in a lot of hard miles on a bike you should mix it up with some weight bearing exercise like running, higher impact aerobics, or strength training. High mileage cyclists are at risk for losses in bone density and need weight bearing exercise to compensate.
I have read that as well. Weight bearing exercises have benefits especially as you age.
I believe my issue is plantar fasciitis. At least that is treatable.
Only cycling is moronic.
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Old 07-07-10 | 07:21 AM
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Can't stand running... all that bouncing around, plus the foot pain and shin splints. Forget it. I swim.

I once did a running race against a friend who was an avid runner... the challenge was "who was in better shape... the cyclist or the runner."

This was a 10K run, and I beat him, but afterward I couldn't walk well, due to the pain, for several days. Aerobically I was in better shape, but I could not stand the pounding.

Last edited by genec; 07-07-10 at 07:24 AM.
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Old 07-07-10 | 07:35 AM
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That is normal when cyclists try to run. Running a mile was more difficult on my body than riding 100 when I started.
They compliment each other quite well when you get down to it. Many of my cycling friends also run.
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Old 07-07-10 | 07:55 AM
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I know running is good exercise, and I assume it could be fun if I were any good at it, and I am sure that it's a good complement to cycling as a form of exercise. But I don't enjoy it at all. So, I don't do it.

I don't mind running when there's a point to it. Like as PART of a sport. I played high school tennis and didn't mind running around the court to chase down balls for hours. Running laps before or after practice, though, just seemed boring and pointless.

And cycling, of course, was fun even when I was in much worse shape and just starting to ride again w/ any regularity really since when I was a teenager.

Different strokes for different folks and all that good stuff...
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Old 07-07-10 | 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by genec
Can't stand running... all that bouncing around, plus the foot pain and shin splints. Forget it. I swim.

I once did a running race against a friend who was an avid runner... the challenge was "who was in better shape... the cyclist or the runner."

This was a 10K run, and I beat him, but afterward I couldn't walk well, due to the pain, for several days. Aerobically I was in better shape, but I could not stand the pounding.
How much running did you do before the race? If a runner were to hop on a bike and do 20 hard miles I'm sure they'd be walking funny for a few days too.

Some folks aren't built well for running but for lots of people it's a matter of the right pair of shoes (or no shoes) and not trying to do too much too soon. Proper warmup and stretching can help stave off injury as well.

I never cared for distance running at all until I got to college. I'm not sure how I even got into it but I quickly learned that if I started dozing off while studying that I could go for a quick run and then be wide awake for another couple of hours. Like cycling it's a great way to clear your head. Unlike cycling it's easy to do while traveling. All you need is a pair of shoes.

Last edited by tjspiel; 07-07-10 at 08:02 AM.
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Old 07-07-10 | 08:03 AM
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Swimming, volleyball, and many other sports are good workouts.
It is merely my humble opinion that someone who sticks to just to cycling isn't going to be as fit as someone who cross trains.
But if fitness isn't your goal it really doesn't matter. I do think it is telling that cycling has so many overweight folks on bikes. It is a good non impact form of exercise.
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Old 07-07-10 | 08:16 AM
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I don't think there's any activity that people voluntarily engage in which is less appealing to me than running. I'm not a person who can be bothered with exercise for the sake of exercise (and competition is a guaranteed way to make an otherwise fun activity dull). Biking is good exercise, and good transportation. Running is good exercise and ???
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