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Some of my mates have been asking me to go running with them every other night, I never really liked the idea of running because i thought it would be mega boring. The only advantage would be increase in fitness levels. Does anyone go running? and notice any difference when they get out on the bike?
Boring? Depends where you run, mate:
I take my dog running with me down the canal, away from cars n'that. Its good for fitness and once your muscles get used to it its not that bad. Hardly enjoyable but good for a quick bit of exercise if you havent the time to go riding.
I agree, running is a good way of keeping fit and works pretty much every muscle in your body, so great for losing weight or toning muscle. Fitness from running doesn't necessarily carry over to biking, it tends to work the other way round, so if you've done a lot of biking, you'll be kicking a** at running!
Does it ever stop hurting and become enjoyable? 🙂
Yes it does! I've been running for nearly two years now and find it a challenge all the time.
I find it lends itself to biking and vice versa. Someone pointed out to me for every hour you run it equates to half an hour of biking :o)
Get yourself some decent running shoes and get out there, much better to run with someone than alone.
Running will be beneficial, but you just need to be careful not to overdo it when you start.
Running should tire you out in a shorter space of time, so you can get some good cardio work in, in a shorter space of time. I am sure I read that it uses pretty much the opposite muscle groups in your legs to cycling so it's good to combine the two for balanced muscle groups.
Being quick/fit on a bike, doesn't always translate to being initally great at running. When I was at uni I was much more of a runner than a cyclist, while a mate was the other way round. On a bike he would leave me for dead, but I would do likewise to him, running.
[i]Does it ever stop hurting and become enjoyable? [:)] [/i]
Are the two mutually exclusive? 😉
Running is only boring when you're doing it slowly. Clipping along at sub 6 min pace is actually quite exciting!
I find it lends itself to biking and vice versa. Someone pointed out to me for every hour you run it equates to half an hour of biking 😮
Other way round surely? Might just be me but I find running much more intensive than biking.
I also find, if I do lots of biking (1000's of miles), I go through some 'muscle resetting' problems when I go back to running (or even walking any distance). Seems to affect the quads at the very front of the thigh (Rectus Femoris?) which cramp when subjected to non biking exercise.
Anyone else get this? (oh, and sorry for the hijack).
i just started running at the gym last week as i'm hoping to build up my fitness levels for biking and other sports. i find it incredibly boring, but i already see the difference after only a week. i'm sure it cant be a bad thing
running on a treadmill is the most boring thing ever. get outside, you'll enjoy it more 🙂
Running on fields / dirt tracks etc is LOADS less harsh than tarmac and IMO less unenjoyable.
aleigh - Member
running on a treadmill is the most boring thing ever. get outside, you'll enjoy it more
i took out a 6 week membership so i can start the ball rolling. by the time april comes, we will have light nights and i hope its going to be more appealing.
by the time april comes, we will have light nights and i hope its going to be more appealing.
Or you could just be completely bored and have given up by then.
Good call shteve.
I can't wait for the evenings to get lighter, I have about an hour available right now which is ok but I could do with a bit more light so it's not a mad rush to change into my kit once I get home from work! 😆
i live 10 metres from work, so i can get home by 5.31pm if i want.. on top of that, the gym is 5 minutes away! but i'd rather spend the evening doing something outside.
outside is much better as you'll find out. running on tarmac hurts the old joints at times but it's fun!
I have been running for about 5 years and cycling forever. I would say that it is worth giving running a go as you will see the benefits, it is generally a much harder workout than cycling and although its not everybodys cup of tea it can be fun. Set yourself some realistic goals and dont expect too much too soon. Build up slowly and run in stimulating enviroments. Treadmill is fine to start out on or do speed work on but nobody wants to run on the spot for hours looking at the same view. When you get better, enter some duathlons and use your new talent.
id be much keener to bring my bike down from scotland and do some riding but oxford is just flat and i haven't managed to find anything interesting to ride yet! hence the gym membership!
If you can get outside away from roads a small LED headtorch is enough to run with in t'dark.
I haven't ridden in Oxford so couldn't comment!
personally I really enjoy running (actually a bit more than riding at the moment), if you are finding it boring, speed up, and for gods sake for your sanity don't bother with a treadmill.
Running seems to be really good for clearing your mind.
[i]but i'd rather spend the evening doing something outside.[/i]
Get a head torch and go trail running at night... I bet it's hard work trying to out run the wolfman!
The Beard - Member
I bet it's hard work trying to out run the wolfman!
i never thought of it that way. "the fear" could be a training aid!
Is crashing headlong through the undergrowth screaming like a girl good training? 😉
Ive never had dark monster paranoia whilst running, used to get it biking though.
Hmmm. I run both outside and on a treadmill. I find the treaders usefull for late nights/early mornings, poor weather and when I just CBA to go outside. I also find it helps control the run. The treadmill is unforgiving in that it runs at a constant speed and (unless you choose to alter it) you run much more consistently. It can be a bit dull but so can cycling. Anyone tucked in for a 100 miler on the road and found it all a bit...yawwwnnn?
If you apply the same approach to running as you do cycling, boredom shouldn't become a limiting factor, you can manage it.
Having wirtten all that, I do like running outside as well. Tarmac or X, it's just nice being in the fresh air (and hopefully sunshine). So much so, I'll be popping out in a bit for an 8 - 10 miler, just to get the blood going... 🙂
i don't have time to get it whilst i'm on the bike. all i can recall hearing is the chain slap and various other things rattling on my bike
Run in the dark...down unlit country lanes....gives you great adrenaline shots when badgers etc crash into hedges next to you!
Build up slowly and the iPod helps a lot....just one ear though if dead busy....very quiet around hear so see the odd car coming from miles away.
I think its a faster workout than cycling, 5 mins to change, 1hr 30 run 15 mins for shower is a good workout in less than 2 hrs...less faffing about than bike and lights etc
it tends to work the other way round, so if you've done a lot of biking, you'll be kicking a** at running!
I can personally testify that that is most certainly NOT always the case!
I am a half decent biker but a terrible runner. Being naturally good at running depends on certain physiological traits, which you either have or you don't. Those that don't can still run but it's harder and will be more of a challenge to get good. That's not so much the case with cycling.
I found that running really improved my cardio fitness and helped balance my quads when my overdeveloped outer quads were pulling my kneecap out of alignment and causing severe pain.
I can't say I enjoy it that much, but I see it as a necessary part of my cross training. Treadmill running gave me a funny clicky pain in the back of my knee that I thought came from it being too constrained and forcing my gait to be a certain way as I don't get it running outside on variable surfaces and inclines.
it tends to work the other way round, so if you've done a lot of biking, you'll be kicking a** at running!
I disagree too. I'm actually quite a decent runner, but if I've just been doing lots of biking my running tends to be rubbish, whilst if I've been doing lots of running and not much biking I still tend to be able to go well on the bike. It probably depends to some extent what your muscle development is like, but you certainly don't get the leg speed you need to run fast from biking.
I sort of disagree with the fitness for biking is better than running. You use your hamstrings a lot more and upper body a lot more.
If you run and bike they compliment each other well, its all about a good balance.