Fine, I quit, someone grab a mod and close the thread.

sorry penguin, no offense meant to your post, I didn't see there was a post on page 2, my comment is in refrence to the last post on page 1. :)

As someone who ran for years.....the answer is no. For me at least, running = shin splints & stress fractures in my feet. Nothing quite like sprinting on broken feet as your muscles tear away from the shin bone. :(

you gotta surf the web with BS filters. His question has been answered many times over.

*relax*

Actually, getting on your bike for a ride is far less dangerous than getting in your car on any given day.

If you can tolerate running then it is a good winter break from the trainer. But i wouldn't depend on it for other than improving your aerobic capacity. Riding lots is the main consensus when ever ask about riding at any racing level. Throw in a little interval training and you should be good to go.

I can't run any distance anymore but I can walk many many miles. That is my break from the trainer. I log about 4-5 hours a week on the trainer when riding outside is unappealing which is normally when it is dark and cold. I know I can ride like that if I had to but I 'm done being cold, wet, hungry and tired...:D

Cross-training during the winter, and perhaps running once a week during the spring/summer/autumn, probably would be a good idea for all cyclists as you can see in the abstract that I pasted below. Biking is so efficient that it actually results in lower bone density in cyclists than in people who don't bike, due to the lack of weight-bearing activity.

Low bone mineral density in highly trained male master cyclists
Journal Osteoporosis International
ISSN 0937-941X (Print) 1433-2965 (Online)
Subject Medicine
Issue Volume 14, Number 8 / August, 2003
Pages 644-649
Thursday, February 19, 2004

Original Article
Low bone mineral density in highly trained male master cyclists

Jeanne F. Nichols1 Contact Information, Jacob E. Palmer1 and Susan S. Levy1
(1) Department of Exercise & Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-7251, USA

Received: 3 September 2002 Accepted: 25 April 2003 Published online: 11 July 2003
Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine total and regional bone mineral density (BMD) in highly competitive young adult and master male cyclists. Three groups of men were studied: older cyclists (51.2±5.3 years, n=27); young adult cyclists (31.7±3.5 years, n=16); and 24 non-athletes matched by age (±2 years) and body weight (±2 kg) to the master cyclists. All of the master cyclists had been training and racing for a minimum of 10 years (mean 20.2±8.4 years) and engaging in little to no weight-bearing exercise. The younger cyclists also engaged in little weight-bearing exercise and had been training and racing for 10.9±3.2 years. Age-matched controls were normally active. The History of Leisure Activity Questionnaire was used to determine the influence on BMD of self-reported total and weight-bearing exercise during three periods of life: 12–18 years, 19–34 years, and 35–49 years. BMD (measured by DXA) of the spine (L2–L4) and total hip was significantly (P<0.033) lower in the master cyclists compared to both age-matched controls and young adult cyclists. Total body BMD was lower in the master cyclists compared to the young-adults (P<0.033). Furthermore, four (15%) of the master cyclists, but none of the men in the other groups, had T-scores (spine and/or hip) lower than –2.5. Weight-bearing exercise performed during teen and young adult years did not appear to influence BMD, as there were no differences at any site between those within the upper and lower 50th percentiles for weight-bearing exercise during the 12–18, 19–34, or 35–49 year time periods. These data indicate that master cyclists with a long history of training exclusively in cycling have low BMD compared to their age-matched peers. Although highly trained and physically fit, these athletes may be at high risk for developing osteoporosis with advancing age.

Going from cycling to running s way easier than going from running to cycling. Its a good way to keep your cardio up, but wont make you a faster rider.

Not entirely true - look at Pizza Man. He made the transition from running to cycling.

And at least in my own case, I ran cross-country during high school. When I started cycling I noticed my heart could handle things early on. It was the leg muscles that had some catching up to do.

I started running again back in November just to mix it up a bit. My cardiovascular endurance seems to have carried over pretty well as I was able to run 12 miles non-stop within 3 weeks of running again.

Please note, if you don't have a history of running, then you shouldn't increase your mileage more than 10% per week or you risk injuring yourself. Don't follow my example, I'm just a freak.

I am biased - I am a runner who has started to cycle (I also swim). For ME and MY goals (overall fitness, enjoyment, and some racing in one or all three of the sports) doing all 3 cannot be beat. They all compliment each other.

To the OP - Running CAN be a great way to build an aerobic base and endurance. Like others said, running CAN be full of injuries and pain. IMHO much of this is from horrible form. Running is a sport that a majority of people see no need for coaching . . . as they all learned to do it when they were 2. Now I am not saying getting a formal coach, but read up on running form. Some quick hits are footstrike and cadence. Modern shoes have helped destroy running form. Many runners take huge strides and land out on their heels. This will lead to most of the common running injuries (shin splints and knee issues). The best way to avoid this to occasionally run barefoot (on a nice outdoor surface like a golf course or on a treadmill) for a minute or two to see what your REAL natural stride is. You will stop landing on your heels. Secondly, try to get to a cadence of 90. You will find your optimal somewhere near there, but getting to 90 gets you to better turnover and you can adjust from there.
Do not add too many miles at once.

I recommend a book called ChiRunning, but there are others that are more technical and less 'Eastern' than that book.

Just to add to the others - if you want to be the best cycle racer you can be - focus on the bike. If you want to be the best 5k, half or full marathoner you can be, focus on running. Same with swimming. If you want to do tris or you just want to do something every day of the week and be in the best overall shape you can be (without being elite at any) do all three.

I think going from running to cycling is much easier than the other way around. I did a 35 mile group ride (at about 17mph av) my first week on the road bike. I am quite sure that most of the people I rode with could not do a 10k or 15k on their first week of running.
Now this IS 100% TRUE - going from cycling to running is MUCH cheaper than going from running to cycling. HOLY COW

But cycling has that good kind of pain.

True, but a runner's high ain't so bad, either. After a 10 mile run through my hilly neighborhood, I feel euphoric.

Well, given that many Cat 5 races will end up in a pack sprint since nobody wants to let a breakaway succeed....sometimes the only difference between winning and finishing with the pack would be about 10 seconds.

You really need to be putting in the hours to build up a broad aerobic base in which to build off of for the season if you want to hang with the pack and do well (i.e, not die). However, if you have an indoor trainer or access to a spin bike, do 1.5 hours 3-4 days per week during the week, and try to ride outside at least 1 day on the weekends for 3-5 hours. Don't need to kill yourself, just a nice steady effort....I'm 32 years old, and I try to keep my heartrate in the 140-145 bpm range to build endurance. Granted, it will go lower than that, and sometimes into the 160's and 170's on climbs....but my average is usually in that range I mentioned.

I already have 25 hours in for the month, and am on par to hit over 50 hours if the weather holds and I can get a century in next weekend. In comparison to last winter, my mileage/hours are way up, and I have a more structured schedule....and I am already noticing the difference compared to last year regarding effort and recovery. Oh, and the extra pounds are going bye-bye too :).

It really comes down to your motivation level and how badly you want to accomplish something.

Specialized Toupe seat, Assos bibs, and I take a short break to pee every hour. On top of that, after 2 hours, I'll stand up and pedal for a few minutes or so every half hour. I'm also constantly adjusting hand position - for the most part, I'll ride with my hands on the bar tops.

Other than that....I just watch TV and pedal.

If your running you reallly have to add a track workout workout...400, 300, 200, 100 a good workout can be found. I find that it corelates good to climbing, sprinting, and sudden burst of speed..

Running: 0
Rollers: 1

That's my score for ya.

I have to agree there.
cycling hurts too but not as much as running does. The impact is different, the more you increase the impact the more you increase the chance of pain. I have shin splints too btw ( ouch).
anyway back on subjet the only thing one sport help me with the other is to not lose my capacity of breathing right. I stopped running for 5 months because of an injury and because I cycled the whole time when I went back to running I never once was out of breath.

Bingo. If you want to be fast on the bike, you need to ride the bike. Cross training is ok, and has it's place, particularly off season, or in the early base phase.

However, if your goal is be in the best shape in April to bike race that you can be, you're getting to the time that your focus needs to be on the bike.

I also think this is particularly true of someone who is new to riding (or at least new to racing). One reason to do lots of base miles is that your body gets more efficient from repetition. Running while it may help your fitness, is not making your body more biomechanically efficient at riding a bike.

If you just want to be fit, nothing wrong with continuing to run. And certainly running will be much better than nothing.

I couldnt agree more!
If you want to be a fast runner, get off your bike and run!
if you want to be a fast cyclist, well you get the picture...:p
I enjoy cross training, but for me, beside helping me keeping up my breathing, Im not sure one helps the other.

Have you tried wearing a balaclava over your mouth? This tends to warm the air so you're not sucking in a bunch of cold air all the time. Even in the mid 20's, it feels "warm" out as far as breathing goes. I have a Craft windproof one that I wear when the temps dip below 30....

I have airbags and seatbelts, this isnt the 70's sorry...

the risk of death per hour of participation is 7 times higher riding in a motor vehicle, than riding a bike.

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/health/risks.htm

Yeah, I did an 8.5 mile run this morning. Although it was on a treadmill, the endorphins were in full swing by the time my run was over.