Trakhak

An ex-runner bike racing friend of mine used to say, when asked about running races versus bike races, "Running: internal injuries; biking: external injuries."

I've run maybe as much as 10 miles in total in my 63 years on the planet.

NVanHiker

If you can manage both, run (especially over irregular ground) and cycle. Although both meet aerobic fitness requirements, they benefit different muscle groups, plus there's bone-strengthening advantage of running (although you could add in weight-training instead).

Insidious C. 

I was a cyclist first, then took to running in my 20s. I loved running and was good at it but it ruined my feet. Today I can only run 2 miles before foot pain stops me in my tracks. There were other, temporary running injuries too. In fact I started racing bicycles while recovering from a stress fracture in one ankle that was caused by running. It is all good in the end because I love cycling too and can still do that pretty well.

Both running and cycling offer similar rewards, IMO. Of course I can find contrast: Cycling is colorful and exciting. Running is simple and freeing. Cycling requires more hours of training to be competitive. For a runner, especially a distance runner, training can be very convenient.

Ravenwing

After too much abuse from younger days, no matter how much I try, even short runs result in achy and stiff knees. Therefore, I bike. I love running though, and wish that I still could.

MikeD1

I totally agree. According to the Ortho guys, I shouldn't be able to run . . . but I started doing Triathlons again so I gotta run. My knees actually hurt less overall since I "restarted" running about 15 months ago. My body seems to like the balance of biking, swimming, and running. I do emphasis more time on the bike and swim, and run fairly minimal (about 35-45 mi/month). I also try to run really light on my feet.

fietsbob

+1, Road rashes heal , blown out joints need replacement Surgery

Hokiedad4

Most of the people I see running have pain on their faces, while most of the people cycling have smiles.

rootboy 

2 out of 3 aint bad. Walking IS a weight bearing exercise. It is a recommended activity for those diagnosed with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.
Is it as weight "bearing" as some other exercises? No. But it is.

locolobo13 

DAC17

Age 61 with 15 marathons and countless 5K's/10K's behind me. Was pretty serious (best marathon 3:06 and best 5K 17:30, all at age 28+) 36 years of running have made my leg muscles sore if I do two consecutive 5+ mile runs. So I incorporated biking about five years ago, and have found it to be a great cross-training sport. During summers, I do way more biking than running and spinning during New England winters.

YMMV.

Needles

While in college, I dated a marathon runner. She talked me into running--- my back hurt, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. She told me that If I could ever break three miles, all that would go away. After a couple of years, I was able to do 6-7 miles--- my back, feet, and knees still hurt, even though she was coaching me on shoes, gait, and what not. I finally just went back to cycling. To me, running is BORING. Not to mention that, out here, you can run for two hours and looking at the scenery, you haven't moved at all! Between kickboxing bag workouts and riding, I get enough cardio, though I wish my wind would improve faster. I lift once a week, with kettle bells and/or a Total Gym, and we do some push-ups, crunches, medicine ball routines, and light high-rep weights in between combos as we work on the bag. I wouldn't swap any of it for running. Running sucks... unless there's a bear.

Dave Cutter

I struggle with my weight and worry that I might do damage running when I am at my heavier weight. I don't have those same worries when cycling. I enjoy both activities. But I can spend the best part of the day enjoying the sun and scenery miles and miles from home. But running never gets me out of the greater neighborhood.

There can be a real thrill with the speeds generated on a bicycle. Running can never capture that.

miltonkeynes

I have seen pretty dramatic results from that training

Zinger

I think running is a quicker cardio workout which is why fighters still use it in their busy routines. I'm like the other posters who found that it bangs up their joints and feet too much and that was in my late 20s.

MikeWMass

If you don't try to run through the pain, running and other impact sports actually strengthen joints and cartilage. Aerobic benefits depend on how hard you go. It is easier to coast on a bike, but once you reach a certain level of fitness, you can run easily or ride easily. Having said that, I can ride hard longer than I can run hard.

BlazingPedals

Yep, walking or even running for an hour is an hour of S L O W, while an hour or biking is much faster and more interesting.

StanSeven

I agree with walking but running (and not a slow jog) for an hour is a tremdious workout. It's challenging, interesting, and makes me feel really great after a few minutes of recovery.

3gun

Hi guys, new here. I hate running, kills my back so I ride and backpack. Nothing like 10 mile days with 30-40 lbs on your back. ;-)

bakes1

I rode my Schwinn Varsity all day, everyday as a kid and later ran cross country and track all throughout high school.
30 years later now I am back into biking and loving it but have to say that imo nothing beats the feeling and freedom of doing nothing other than throwing on a t-shirt and pair of gym shorts and heading out the door for a nice 8 mile run when you are in shape.
As far as aerobics are concerned though I have to agree that in my case and at my age nothing comes close to bike riding. I don't think pharmas would be able to produce enough oxy's if I were to try serious running again lol.

deltafour1212

Reason I switched to riding a bike is because running sucks!
It's a chore, it's slow, it takes forever to get from point A to B
I psych myself out in the first half mile thinking how far I still have to go.
With a bike you scream down the road speed wise.
It feels like your going somewhere
You get to A and B faster

Gerryattrick

If getting from A to B faster is important I go by car

ButchA

Here's some facts and figures for you all. Let's compare some results between the two:

Person: Me
Age: 54
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 208 lbs
Misc: Just your average over 50 guy, graying hair, little bit of a beer belly and love handles. No big deal...

MapMyRide (yesterday 7/3/15)
15.7 mile bicycle ride
59:47 completion time
991 calories burned
15.8 mph (average)

MapMyRun (today 7/4/15)
3.55 mile easy run/jog
34:10 completion time
712 calories burned
9:37 min/mile pace (6.24 mph avg)


Both made me huff and puff, but in all honesty, the run that I did earlier today was brutal due to the high humidity. When I was done, I was so nasty, sweaty, and funky, I looked like had just gone swimming! Ick... At least with the 15+ mile bike ride, I got a breeze and could coast in some downhill sections.

I can still run without any pain in my legs, hips, knees, etc... due to doubling up on cushioning. I have a nice pair of Adidas running shoes, and also have a pair of Dr. Scholl's "Active Series" cushioned insoles inside my Adidas. Believe me, they really help!

Just wanted to share these two stats with you all. Given the choice between the two, which would you prefer?

wphamilton

Running vs cycling is suddenly near and dear to me, since I signed up for a 5K in two months. In good cycling shape, it's just a matter of transitioning to running I thought ... not so

It's practically starting over again from scratch. I don't think there's any crossover from cycling at all except for maybe the heart being stronger.

The bright side of not having run since Track in high school is that there has been little wear and tear, no injuries. On the treadmill at least, I don't mind it so much. Except for having to recalibrate my goals

jwalther

Ran a 10k yesterday in 47:44, and was completely spent at the end. I'll be alternating ibuprofen and tylenol all day today for hip and knee pain. I have to do something like this periodically to remind myself how much I prefer cycling to running. . .

WNCGoater

I started running at age 50 when my then 5 year old showed me I better do something to get in shape if I'm going to keep up with her. I had a knee surgery in 2012. My ortho doc told me to stop running & asked if I had a bike. I had a Trek Hybrid I sometimes rode. So I rode a while, couple months then off and on as I sort of drifted back to running. I had a surgery on the other knee in 2013. The ortho doc said, "I've told you once, now I'll tell you again, stop running and pounding your joints." He let me try out his mtn bike. Last year I bit the bullet and bought a Specialized Rockhopper. OMGosh! What fun! I was a kid again, buzzing around the neighborhood, jumping ramps.
It was the most fun you can have and stay out of jail.
I still trudged up and down the mountain roads on that Trek, mostly when time didn't permit me loading up the mountain bike, and mainly to stay in shape for mtbiking.
So I decided to get a road bike. Can't spend 5-10k. So I ended up with a closeout deal on a Diamondback Century III with carbon frame.
Can I say OMGosh again!
Another world has opened up at age 54. I'm really digging this after only two months. So far my longest ride was 44 miles. Thinking seriously about trying a century before the end of the year.

I'm sure there was a point to all this.... Oh yeah, pounding joints after 50 will not lead to anything good IMO. At least not for me. I'm also 30 pounds lighter and eat whatever I want. (6'2", 195-ish) I wish I had discovered riding sooner. I could have bought a top grade bike or two for the 11-12k in co-pay and deductables in insurance/surgery costs.