Ok here is my dilemma, For some reason and I am not sure if this is common or not, but I feel very comfortable running off the bike either doing a brick workout or just trying to get some extra running mileage after a ride. So with that said I have 3 more 1/2 Marathons and 1 full Marathon to do this year and was thinking of breaking out the trainer next month the morning of my next 1/2.
Has anyone ever tried this before for a stand alone run? Is it common to feel very good running off the bike? Usually I have all sorts of little nagging pains, knees, ankles and hip issues the first mile or two during a run. However after getting off the bike no issues at all and feel very strong and pain free…is this normal/common? Has anyone ever used the trainer 45 -60 minutes prior to a stand alone run?
I generally feel great running off the bike. Except for the rare ocassion when my schedule gets thrown off kilter, every run is preceded by a bike ride. I prefer to warm up for a run with a bike ride. Even if I’m going for a 2 hour run, I prefer to warm up with a 15 minute spin on the trainer as opposed to 15 minutes of walking/jogging/warming up on foot.
I’ve never tried riding before a running road race, but I’d be game. Although I wouldn’t want to ride home afterward.
Ok here is my dilemma, For some reason and I am not sure if this is common or not, but I feel very comfortable running off the bike either doing a brick workout or just trying to get some extra running mileage after a ride. So with that said I have 3 more 1/2 Marathons and 1 full Marathon to do this year and was thinking of breaking out the trainer next month the morning of my next 1/2.
Has anyone ever tried this before for a stand alone run? Is it common to feel very good running off the bike? Usually I have all sorts of little nagging pains, knees, ankles and hip issues the first mile or two during a run. However after getting off the bike no issues at all and feel very strong and pain free…is this normal/common? Has anyone ever used the trainer 45 -60 minutes prior to a stand alone run?
I’m considering making it a regular thing too, as I’ve noticed the same thing. A quick spin on the bike warms me up well for a run.
John
Have you tried getting in a good warm up run before races? You can probably get just as “comfy” with the right routine. Just a thought…
For me, a :30 ride seems to warm me up for a run way better than light jogging, dynamic stretching, etc. I’m also considering bringing my trainer to my next half marathon instead of doing the traditional running warm-up routine.
Hey, I have been doing this for around 12 years whenever I am at home and start a run from here. I hate the first 10 min of warmup running whereas if I get on the bike even for 10 minutes, I can rip right off the bat.
And to take it to another level, I try to do all my local running races after riding to them (generally 10-25k easy ride). My half marathon PB (1:21) was done after a 50 min 25K warmup ride over to the start. I think for older athletes it works much better than a run warmup.
I would just run to warm up unless i am riding to the event. One of the thinks i love about running or swimming events is not having to pack a bike and related paraphenalia.
John, I started my “always warm up biking routine” after I had achilles and plantar injuries in the late 90’s (so come to think about it, the routine is closer to 15 years old), and I am still running today. I say that given where you are coming back from, it is a good plan. Unfortunately because of this “plan” it means I log 10-15 minutes of less running when I am time limited, but I think it is nice long term investment, because I am able to run with half decent biomechanics from the first stride. When I don’t do the bike warmup, my biomechanics suck for at least 5 minutes as I limp the tightness out of my body. Having run competitively for 35 years in some form, with probably with 70,000+ kilometers in the knees and achilles, this is simply a cost of staying in the game. My joints don’t owe me anything anymore as they are well past the new car warranty period, so I have to baby them.
I think more than just for warmup, doing a session on the bike can effectively extend your aerobic workout without the impact / strain of running. So for example riding for an hour then running an hour you get almost as much aerobic benefit as running 2 hours, but much lower probability of injury. I do quite a bit of biking even leading up to running events. My running times have improved a lot since I started triathlon, doing lower mileage (which I attribute mainly to biking)
John, I started my “always warm up biking routine” after I had achilles and plantar injuries in the late 90’s (so come to think about it, the routine is closer to 15 years old), and I am still running today. I say that given where you are coming back from, it is a good plan. Unfortunately because of this “plan” it means I log 10-15 minutes of less running when I am time limited, but I think it is nice long term investment, because I am able to run with half decent biomechanics from the first stride. When I don’t do the bike warmup, my biomechanics suck for at least 5 minutes as I limp the tightness out of my body. Having run competitively for 35 years in some form, with probably with 70,000+ kilometers in the knees and achilles, this is simply a cost of staying in the game. My joints don’t owe me anything anymore as they are well past the new car warranty period, so I have to baby them.
Yeah, ever since the rupture I’ve noticed the warmup period is a lot more creaky than it used to be. I’m going to start giving this a try.
John
Like Dev said, I like to ride easy to any shorter run races that I can. Coming off the bike gets my run cadence a little higher (more immediately) than doing a run warmup, and then the muscles are already warm and loose. If you’re just spinning before the run, I haven’t experienced any negative impacts of biking for 30-45 minutes before a run race.
Agreed…nothing more demoralizing than the dreaded warmup period. I absolutely hate that part of my run. Once I am warmed up, I am good to go, but breaking through the warmup period is not fun. If I can move the warmup to the bike I am set, but when I run from work or run on business travel, I have to contend with that warmup period.
My other option is a treadmill. I start it off at 3.5 mph @4% grade and and every 10-20 seconds add 0.2 mph or 0.5% grade. by the end of the warmup I’m at 6 mph @ 8% grade then I can head outside and just hit full stride. This may or may not work with you achilles.
It sounds as if I’m not the only one to do this or in need of this. When you guys ride to a run, what do you do with your bike? I’m seriously thinking of doing the trainer for 45 minutes prior to my next 1/2 marathon. Sounds like nothing bad about it and only good coming from it. Thanks guys!!
It sounds as if I’m not the only one to do this or in need of this. When you guys ride to a run, what do you do with your bike? I’m seriously thinking of doing the trainer for 45 minutes prior to my next 1/2 marathon. Sounds like nothing bad about it and only good coming from it. Thanks guys!!
Just take a cable and lock and lock her up on something sturdy.