Running Vs Cycling (endurance)

[crazyjoe101]

Do you really push yourself on your bike or is it just a leisurely ride? I'm thinking about doing a lot of hill climbing etc ( I live in a very hilly area) and I'm hoping that with enough intensity I will be able to bring my heart rate up to a similar rate to that which I run at

Most of my riding is with others so it's pretty variable. Some times it'll be at my upper limit for long periods but mostly I'd describe it as 'comfortable' with regular spikes for the hills which I sprint up, as they are short on the club run.

Since we're on a cycling forum it's got to be swimming, kettlebells, gym balls and skipping.

No bike required to get good at riding a bike.

I think he means cardiovascular fitness in general, not for cycling.
Obviously the best way to train for a sport is by doing that sport though.

Where on earth are your coming up with these speed comparisons?

You can compare running and cycling energy consumption based on speed on the flat but I doubt it would work for heart rate as well.

 

[RitchieJoe]

If you want to build endurance/CV fitness for running - then run. If you want to build endurance/CV fitness for cycling - then cycle. If you want to improve at both, then do both. It really isn't as complex as you think.

Truth be told I don't particularly want my fitness levels to be for something specific. I have an over active nervous system which has caused numerous medical symptoms which lead to me actually being tested for Multiple sclerosis and other associated conditions. The neurologist has tried many medications ranging from central nervous system suppressants to anticonvulsants.... all of which provided negligible effects. So In October I started running as I had been piling the weight on/depression was setting in.....pushed my self to the limit and after a few weeks my symptoms started to dissipate as I was running faster and further. Running proved to be the best drug I have ever taken, unfortunately due to tight calves I find myself embroiled in an on-going fight with the nhs for treatment.What I am hoping/praying for is that I will be able to achieve the same results on a bike.

Since we're on a cycling forum it's got to be swimming, kettlebells, gym balls and skipping.

No bike required to get good at riding a bike.

I think you missed my point, but you replied at 04:58 so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and presume you was still half asleep.

It's not all about heart rate.

But even if it were, cycling is not as hard on the heart as running. for endurance, this is a good thing.

Whats your starting level of fitness?

When my calves allowed it I could run at a decent pace for 60 - 70 minutes, I would do 45 minutes on a particular route then the last 20 minutes or so on my local estate which is a steadily increasing gradient then down a very steep hill then back round for more laps until I could endure no more. Perhaps in hindsight I pushed a little too fast too soon but I became addicted to the relief it provided. It also resulted in me losing 16lbs since Christmas without following too strict a diet program. Whether this will help on a bike I guess there is only one way to find out.

If you want to be pushed, join a club and ride with a fast group. Unless you are very determined, it's unlikely you'd push yourself as hard riding alone

Turbo training can be hard work too but most find it dull, killer videos can reduce the boredon

I would consider myself quite highly motivated but I am going to look at joining a group once I feel ready, as you said it may help me push myself that bit further but it would also be good to be around people with similar hobbies.

@Rob3rt Thank you for the reply, your post was very encouraging. I think once my Achilles tendinitis resolves I will run two times a week to supplement my cycling regardless of the pain I experience in my calves.

 

[ANT 666]

Cross country skiing!!! Best endurance sport of all, but it helps if you live in Norway.

 

[crazyjoe101]

Obvious comment, but I take it you have tried regular stretching for the calves?

 

[vickster]

I have tight calves too. Be very careful to ensure that the bike is set up right so as not to kill your knees, which seems to be what I may have inadvertently done Fortunately, I don't have to battle with the NHS, just Bupa!

And don't overdo it !

 

[Crackle]

My habit is to run autumn to spring and cycle spring to autumn. My experience is there's some overlap of cv and endurance going from running to cycling but only an overlap of cv from cycling to running. Each autumn and spring I have to build up in each discipline. I also may change my habits and keep my running brief after injuring my knee last year trying to get to level where I could run a half marathon. Running is definitely harder on my body. The advantage is it's quicker to get out for a run and even twenty minutes is a good workout, whereas on a bike 20 minutes is not so much. I may in future use an elliptical trainer during the winter.

I'd look up foam rolling for keeping your legs in good shape. something I discovered last year after screwing my knee and a few other bits running. Foam rolling has got me back on the bike but not yet running.

 

[Rob3rt]

Most of my riding is with others so it's pretty variable. Some times it'll be at my upper limit for long periods but mostly I'd describe it as 'comfortable' with regular spikes for the hills which I sprint up, as they are short on the club run.


I think he means cardiovascular fitness in general, not for cycling.
Obviously the best way to train for a sport is by doing that sport though.


You can compare running and cycling energy consumption based on speed on the flat but I doubt it would work for heart rate as well.

Can you please provide the basis for said comparison. As you can probably tell, I am skeptical, especially so of any fixed relationship such as cycling at 8 mph = running at 4 mph!

 

[Tin Pot]

Truth be told I don't particularly want my fitness levels to be for something specific. I have an over active nervous system which has caused numerous medical symptoms which lead to me actually being tested for Multiple sclerosis and other associated conditions. The neurologist has tried many medications ranging from central nervous system suppressants to anticonvulsants.... all of which provided negligible effects. So In October I started running as I had been piling the weight on/depression was setting in.....pushed my self to the limit and after a few weeks my symptoms started to dissipate as I was running faster and further. Running proved to be the best drug I have ever taken, unfortunately due to tight calves I find myself embroiled in an on-going fight with the nhs for treatment.What I am hoping/praying for is that I will be able to achieve the same results on a bike.



I think you missed my point, but you replied at 04:58 so I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and presume you was still half asleep.



When my calves allowed it I could run at a decent pace for 60 - 70 minutes, I would do 45 minutes on a particular route then the last 20 minutes or so on my local estate which is a steadily increasing gradient then down a very steep hill then back round for more laps until I could endure no more. Perhaps in hindsight I pushed a little too fast too soon but I became addicted to the relief it provided. It also resulted in me losing 16lbs since Christmas without following too strict a diet program. Whether this will help on a bike I guess there is only one way to find out.



I would consider myself quite highly motivated but I am going to look at joining a group once I feel ready, as you said it may help me push myself that bit further but it would also be good to be around people with similar hobbies.

@Rob3rt Thank you for the reply, your post was very encouraging. I think once my Achilles tendinitis resolves I will run two times a week to supplement my cycling regardless of the pain I experience in my calves.

So I took up running a couple of years ago, then triathlon - why? Because I wanted to, and the variety of activity appealed.

Also, in terms of cv endurance they lend them selves to food training. I subscribe to the school of thought that a lot of really hard activity is the worst way to train for endurance.

Running is essentially harder, cycling is essentially easier. Combine the two in the right proportion, train in the right manner and you'll get the optimum benefit.

I would warn against running hard when you start off, but I guess you've already got that message. Smaller strides made a big difference to me.

I like heart rate based training, and I'm convinced diet is more important than exercise through science and experience, for weight change.

Enjoying it is the key

 

[RitchieJoe]

Obvious comment, but I take it you have tried regular stretching for the calves?

Stretching gives me dead calves, this was under the supervision of a physio

I have tight calves too. Be very careful to ensure that the bike is set up right so as not to kill your knees, which seems to be what I may have inadvertently done Fortunately, I don't have to battle with the NHS, just Bupa!

And don't overdo it !

I literally just got off of the phone with bupa, they quoted me £56.60 for full cover including cancer etc, unfortunately it will not cover this issue. I also just spoke to the secretary of a Dr Rhidian Thomas who specialises in injuries from the knee down and he is more concerned with treating the actual cause than the symptoms. If I pay for a private consultation with Dr Thomas, apparently if he thinks I will require any procedures he will put me onto his NHS Caseload which will save me a fortune. Your comment has regarding the knee's has also scared me enough to have a bike fitting done lol

 

[vickster]

Paying a few hundred for the private consult may be worthwhile

My private cover is rather more, but covers everything fortunately (other than the usual chronic stuff). Bupa are expensive apparently, there are brokers who can get you quotes. Also double check you can't do it through work

You probably need a sports physician not an orthopaedic surgeon, or an MSK rheumatologist

 

[RitchieJoe]

Paying a few hundred for the private consult may be worthwhile

My private cover is rather more, but covers everything fortunately (other than the usual chronic stuff). Bupa are expensive apparently, there are brokers who can get you quotes. Also double check you can't do it through work

You probably need a sports physician not an orthopaedic surgeon, or an MSK rheumatologist

I forgot to add that if after the consultation that I would be best served seeing a colleague or another consultant in another part of the country he would pass me on to them

 

[Rob3rt]

So I took up running a couple of years ago, then triathlon - why? Because I wanted to, and the variety of activity appealed.

Also, in terms of cv endurance they lend them selves to food training. I subscribe to the school of thought that a lot of really hard activity is the worst way to train for endurance.

Running is essentially harder, cycling is essentially easier. Combine the two in the right proportion, train in the right manner and you'll get the optimum benefit.

I would warn against running hard when you start off, but I guess you've already got that message. Smaller strides made a big difference to me.

I like heart rate based training, and I'm convinced diet is more important than exercise through science and experience, for weight change.

Enjoying it is the key

Excuse me, what school of thought is this...

 

[Tin Pot]

Excuse me, what school of thought is this...

I guess Maffetone is the most well known or at least most talked about, but I'm not that specific about it to call out a specific persons methodology.

 

[crazyjoe101]

Can you please provide the basis for said comparison. As you can probably tell, I am skeptical, especially so of any fixed relationship such as cycling at 8 mph = running at 4 mph!

A quick Google provided pages like this comparing miles per unit energy expended depending on the speed of cycling.

http://www.active.com/articles/convert-your-cycling-miles-to-running-miles-and-vice-versa
http://www.livestrong.com/article/500994-comparison-of-a-five-mile-run-to-biking/

 

[flake99please]

I didn't question the basis of my friends answer. I know he studied some sports science at Loughborough Uni many years ago. His figures were a 'general guideline' for average weight person running/riding on flat ground with zero wind speed. Obviously with the huge number of variables possible the figures could change somewhat significantly, and I'm sure there would be a law of diminishing returns once a certain speed/time threshold were applied.

I hope that clears things a little.