There's a few options for my daily commute to the office; Bus (which has never happened!), train, or bike. When I catch the train there's two miles of walking to be done on either side of the stations to get from home to the office. Yesterday I decided I should try and build up my running fitness after 10 years of not running.
Ouch! I figure I ran (/jogged) around 1.2 miles of the 2 miles, and walked the rest. Yesterday my quads and calves ached, today they hurt!
Weird thing though, I wasn't expecting to be out of breath as much as I was, I just expected my legs to tire really quick. I hardly notice straining to breathe while on the bike sitting comfortably around 18mph on the straight and level, but was really gasping while running!
There is method in the madness though... I read a few articles on power cranks (as in crank arms that can free wheel rather than measure power) and they say those who can train themselves to effectively cycle with the power cranks can gain noticeable speed as you have to lift you leg up through the back of the pedal stroke rather than lift your leg by pushing it back up with the leg thats on the downward stroke.
As I don't have the spare wad to cover the cost of these arms, and the spare bike to strap them to I tried a cheaper option, try removing one leg from the pedals while on the turbo trainer in a middle gear, pedal for a minute or two, put both feet on the pedals for a minute then take the other foot off for a minute. Repeat that a few times and unless you already have an ace pedaling technique you'll soon be feeling the burn!
So having got bored of trying to improve one leg times on the Turbo Trainer I'm trying running, as I figure it's all about improving the strength and stamina of the muscle groups that quickly pick up the leg! So now trying to replace the dead time walking to the station and work with something a little more productive!
Any one else got experience on starting to run? If I try to run in twice a week how long do you think it'll be before I stop aching? I'm not interested in huge speed, just covering the 2 miles would be an achievement for me!
Cyclist, but newbe to running... Ouch!
No experience of running in the last 20 years!
I do know that running and cycling don't mix. You can't do both WELL. Actually, some folks can, but they're the exceptions to the rule. For normal mortals - do one OR the other.
Completely different muscle groups are involved, and I believe they would be in competition with each other.
I do know that running and cycling don't mix. You can't do both WELL. Actually, some folks can, but they're the exceptions to the rule. For normal mortals - do one OR the other.
Completely different muscle groups are involved, and I believe they would be in competition with each other.
Mick F. Cornwall
When I started I found that I was immediatly out of breath - just shows how economic cycling is! I also found that I had really bad pain in the shoulders (no doubt due to a cyclist's natural hunched over posture). I got a bit fitter but gave up on it as it wasn't as much fun as cycling but much more pain!
As for conditioning the legs for pulling up the pedals - I just concentrate on ankling - I find that doing the actual activity that you want to improve is the best way of improving! I also ride fixed so that helps - going down hill fast you have to keep up with the pedals, 'cos once the pedals get control of your feet you are all over the place.
Having said all of that, if I was only two miles from work then I'd seriously think about jogging too - too close to bother getting the bike out, and walking doesn't feel like it's enough exercise.
As for conditioning the legs for pulling up the pedals - I just concentrate on ankling - I find that doing the actual activity that you want to improve is the best way of improving! I also ride fixed so that helps - going down hill fast you have to keep up with the pedals, 'cos once the pedals get control of your feet you are all over the place.
Having said all of that, if I was only two miles from work then I'd seriously think about jogging too - too close to bother getting the bike out, and walking doesn't feel like it's enough exercise.
well i am 2 miles from work.. As was said, its too close to cycle and even so, the time outdoors is 10 mins max. I hate running, and i'd need a shower and there are no facilities. Walking i find is best and have done so for nearly 5 years. Living close to work has meant weve sold one car.
1. Its amazing the detail you see when walking which youd miss by even running or cycling
2. Youll find other people regularly walk a certain route and before you know it youll get to know them and have a chat
3.. its half an hour each way in the outdoors
4. if youre really bored, you can vary the route or put loops in.
up until about 9 months ago, believe it or not, i hardly ever got wet. june last year saw an end to that and ive noticed its been a lot wetter since. Its also interesting to note that it goes in cycles, so you dont get wet for say a month and then its ten days together.
1. Its amazing the detail you see when walking which youd miss by even running or cycling
2. Youll find other people regularly walk a certain route and before you know it youll get to know them and have a chat
3.. its half an hour each way in the outdoors
4. if youre really bored, you can vary the route or put loops in.
up until about 9 months ago, believe it or not, i hardly ever got wet. june last year saw an end to that and ive noticed its been a lot wetter since. Its also interesting to note that it goes in cycles, so you dont get wet for say a month and then its ten days together.
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AlbionLass
Don't do anymore running until you've been assesed for appropriate running shoes by a specialist running shop.
You can do serious long term damage to yourself by running in ordinary trainers or running shoes not appropriate for your gait.
If you've already done this then try some of the beginner schedules here, http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Above all build up slowly, almost all running injuries come from doing too much too soon.
You can do serious long term damage to yourself by running in ordinary trainers or running shoes not appropriate for your gait.
If you've already done this then try some of the beginner schedules here, http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Above all build up slowly, almost all running injuries come from doing too much too soon.
Rather you than me. I hate running.
It hurts and you get shin splints. Thankfully if you can be thankful for this, I have a bad back and simply cannot run at all because of this.....
Cycling on the otherhand, has strengthened my back. It is so much better, and I havent had a relapse from it for nearly 7 months now.
But, I do know what you mean when talking about breathlessness.
At work I have 3 steep flights of stairs to walk up on a regular basis. I could use a lift, but never do. Instead Im fighting for breath the entire way.
At the top, those going down simply do not believe it when I tell them 'I am quite fit, really I am'.
Good luck with the running, and yep make sure you protect your self with the proper foot gear.
(More expensive stuff to get)
Mary
It hurts and you get shin splints. Thankfully if you can be thankful for this, I have a bad back and simply cannot run at all because of this.....
Cycling on the otherhand, has strengthened my back. It is so much better, and I havent had a relapse from it for nearly 7 months now.
But, I do know what you mean when talking about breathlessness.
At work I have 3 steep flights of stairs to walk up on a regular basis. I could use a lift, but never do. Instead Im fighting for breath the entire way.
At the top, those going down simply do not believe it when I tell them 'I am quite fit, really I am'.
Good luck with the running, and yep make sure you protect your self with the proper foot gear.
(More expensive stuff to get)
Mary
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reohn2
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eileithyia
- Posts: 8399
- Joined: 31 Jan 2007, 6:46pm
- Location: Horwich Which is Lancs :-)
If you really like power walking... take a look here:
http://www.parishwalk.com/
Click on 'The Route'.
I tackled this walk in 2005. My training including cycling for this and walking. The reason why I took up cycling was my walk partner moved to France, so my cycling took over.
I got to Peel on this walk. 32 miles.
Over Easter, I want to cycle it.
A great training route this..... its 85 miles long.
Mary
http://www.parishwalk.com/
Click on 'The Route'.
I tackled this walk in 2005. My training including cycling for this and walking. The reason why I took up cycling was my walk partner moved to France, so my cycling took over.
I got to Peel on this walk. 32 miles.
Over Easter, I want to cycle it.
A great training route this..... its 85 miles long.
Mary
Thanks for the pointers! It hadn't crossed my mind my trainers might not be suitable... By running shop do you mean a general sports shop like JJB or is there a particular nationwide shop I could look out for? Please excuse my ignorance on that!
Legs not as bad as yesterday, should be ready to ride again Monday, or at least I would if there weren't gales forecast!
Thankfully my ride to work is a decent distance - 13.5 miles, unless I ride out to meet a colleague in which case it's a 34 mile round trip. The two miles is the walking either side of the train.
Cheers, and I'll have a look into the footwear.
Legs not as bad as yesterday, should be ready to ride again Monday, or at least I would if there weren't gales forecast!
Thankfully my ride to work is a decent distance - 13.5 miles, unless I ride out to meet a colleague in which case it's a 34 mile round trip. The two miles is the walking either side of the train.
Cheers, and I'll have a look into the footwear.
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AlbionLass
Steer well clear of fashion sports shops like JJB. The staff aren't trained to advise runners and they don't have a good range of 'real' running shoes.
You need a specialist running shop, the staff will watch you run and ask you some questions and advise you on shoes that suit the particular way you run, everyone is different.
Expect to pay £60-90 for a pair of running shoes.
What area do you live in? Maybe I could point you in the direction of a good shop.
Maybe you have a Natterjack, Up and Running or RunnersNeed near you.
Important points are, as I stated above, to take things very gradually, you have the rest of your life to be a runner, tackling things the wrong way now could put you out of action before you've started.
Run/Walk is definitely the way to go, you are less likely to get injured through overtraining and people do whole marathons run/walking.
Don't run more than 3 days a week to begin and always have a rest day in between runs.
Stretching after a run is very important, stretching before is much less so, stretching cold muscles puts them at risk of injury.
Try to begin all your running workouts with a five minute brisk walk to get your joints, muscles and cardio system warmed up.
I recommend ' The New Runner' by John Bingham it has lots of info on training schedules, cross training (cycling is perfect) and injury prevention.
You need a specialist running shop, the staff will watch you run and ask you some questions and advise you on shoes that suit the particular way you run, everyone is different.
Expect to pay £60-90 for a pair of running shoes.
What area do you live in? Maybe I could point you in the direction of a good shop.
Maybe you have a Natterjack, Up and Running or RunnersNeed near you.
Important points are, as I stated above, to take things very gradually, you have the rest of your life to be a runner, tackling things the wrong way now could put you out of action before you've started.
Run/Walk is definitely the way to go, you are less likely to get injured through overtraining and people do whole marathons run/walking.
Don't run more than 3 days a week to begin and always have a rest day in between runs.
Stretching after a run is very important, stretching before is much less so, stretching cold muscles puts them at risk of injury.
Try to begin all your running workouts with a five minute brisk walk to get your joints, muscles and cardio system warmed up.
I recommend ' The New Runner' by John Bingham it has lots of info on training schedules, cross training (cycling is perfect) and injury prevention.
Thanks, I suspected they would not be good. I've never spotted a running store before, but guess that is because I have never looked for one!
I'm in St Helens, Merseyside. I've found on the internet a Natterjack in Liverpool, so I'll shoot them off an email on Monday to check they've got my size, and try to get down there this coming week.
As for the warm up, would 10 minutes of light resistance on the Turbo Trainer do the trick, or is that warming either only half, or the wrong muscle groups?
I'm in St Helens, Merseyside. I've found on the internet a Natterjack in Liverpool, so I'll shoot them off an email on Monday to check they've got my size, and try to get down there this coming week.
As for the warm up, would 10 minutes of light resistance on the Turbo Trainer do the trick, or is that warming either only half, or the wrong muscle groups?
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AlbionLass
I would think an easy spin on your turbo would be fine, walking is usually suggested though because it uses the muscle groups you will use when running. Cycling tends to use the quads a lot whereas running and walking use the hamstrings more.
You may find you need to do a lot of stretches for the calf area, cycling can leave you with tight calves, you may not notice it in everyday life but any restriction in the calf muscles when running can predispose to achilles and plantar fascia problems.
You may find you need to do a lot of stretches for the calf area, cycling can leave you with tight calves, you may not notice it in everyday life but any restriction in the calf muscles when running can predispose to achilles and plantar fascia problems.