Right now I’m in a big run phase. I have three key races coming up: HM in April, 10k in may, marathon in June. At this point in my prep, I think I have a good chance at PR’ing the half and destroying my old marathon time (I am running Steamboat…but my old PR was 4:00, so we’ll see). Currently I’m running 5 days a week and will be upping that to 6 or 7 (depending on recovery from the long run) over the next three weeks.
My problem is that I watched the ToC and now I’m itchy to ride. It’s especially bad now that we have almost a full week of temps in the 60’s in the forecast. At the end of June, I’m moving to the UP of michgan to officially start grad school and have already made contacts with the university’s cycling team and tri-club, so when I get up there, I’d really like to have the legs to hang with the group.
So anyway, I know we’ve been over how cycling doesn’t really help running that much (and vice-versa), but what about hurting it? I went out yesterday for my first ride in colorado (and first time back on the bike in over 6 months) and nearly had my ass handed to me by the hills (rode west on 120th by Jeffco Airport to the highway and back). This morning, I was running on fatigued legs from the ride, but they weren’t sore. In fact once I warmed up, the fatigue melted away a little and my legs felt better then they have in a while… form was easier to hold and I was a solid 10 seconds under my normal pace (this is also the first week back off a rest week, but today felt better then the 7 miles I did on saturday).
Now I understand that cycling will limit my running. I’m not trying to get around that. I also know that spinning (at least for me), helps me recover from hard runs. So how can I go about getting my cycling fix (while building up a little strength) while minimizing the negative effects on my run training (which is priority). Do I need to stick to easy spinning and casual riding, or can I do longer/harder efforts on ‘off’ weeks?
Yep, cardio engine will be solid and it’s just up to your legs to remember how to do it.
Consider putting in 1 ride per week. That will do a lot more than you think to keep your legs acclimated to cycling. And don’t stress it. Any losses in cycling will be very short-lived. it’s good to have periods of time to focus on one sport. Keep it up.
Honestly vortmax, I wager your fitness level relative to the crew up north will be very good. Remember, those fellows up north are on trainers, running in snowshoes and using an erg right now. You’re getting out on the road running everyday it sounds like. By the time you get up north I think your fitness will be just fine. I hear you on the getting amped after watching Tour of California though. Me too.
Thanks guys. So I shouldn’t really worry about the riding killing my run training as long as I don’t overdo it?
I hear you on the getting amped after watching Tour of California though. Me too.
It is sort of humbling though to realize that the same grades you are sucking wind on, these guys are attacking on (after already riding 90 miles and racing for the last week).
Thanks guys. So I shouldn’t really worry about the riding killing my run training as long as I don’t overdo it?
I hear you on the getting amped after watching Tour of California though. Me too.
It is sort of humbling though to realize that the same grades you are sucking wind on, these guys are attacking on (after already riding 90 miles and racing for the last week).
Right. Just don’t let the riding take away a day of running and don’t put a ride the day before a long or hard run.
Tom, what’s the riding like in Detroit now? We’re considering a move there in summer. Are there any hills to speak of where you could do some repeats? Even rollers would be ok.
to the OP: i agree with the one or two rides a week to keep it rolling. something I did the last couple years was run every weekday and ride both weekend days with one run. That worked out really well.