Running as part of training?

[0gravity]

So I'd hoped to go for a ride this afternoon but work got too hectic so I just went for a run. I needed to get out and burn some energy.

I'm sorta-kinda thinking about training to get into better shape for XC racing and I'm wondering if running has its benefits as part of routine?

Yeah, I know it will wear my knees out eventually -- and it's dull -- but time-wise, life-wise, if it's a choice during most weekdays between running in a short time span, or doing nothing, the running seems like the better decision. I may not be working the same muscle groups (definitely not, I might add) but at least I'm keeping my weight in check.

What sayz yall? Any reason why not to have running as a part of a training program?

[andino]

i run when i can't ride and i think it keeps my cardio in check for when i can't ride since lately school has been really time consuming. i think it's a good thing if you can't ride that your run...better then doing nothing

[CalEpic]

I've started trail running and hiking lately and it does work different muscles. The great thing about the slower pace is that you see so much more on trails that you normally ride your bike on.

C

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

I've started trail running and hiking lately and it does work different muscles. The great thing about the slower pace is that you see so much more on trails that you normally ride your bike on.

C

agreed x-training is great to work different muscle groups. Run a bit at gym (boring), rather just jump in on soccer or hoop game for "running" excercise

Never been much of a hiker other than on holiday, pretty much only go if wife/friends plan. agree at slower pace you see more but i usually find myself getting pissed off when i see small drops, berms, rock gardens, challenging climbs, hills to bomb that would have been a blast on the rig - just me

[ArrrKelly]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The best way to get in shape for riding is by riding.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]But if you don’t have time to ride, running helps for sure. You can get just as good a cardio workout by running…maybe even a better because you have more control over the structure and pace of your workout (intervals, hills, tempo, recovery etc.). Also x-training can break up the monotony of training on the bike, and if that keeps you motivated it will be worth every minute. [/FONT][/SIZE]

[Keith B]

Haha! I'm jsut the same, I'm happy hiking until I see something I want to ride or someone goes past on a bike then I'm all twitchy to go back and get my bike

Originally Posted by Kid A

at slower pace you see more but i usually find myself getting pissed off when i see small drops, berms, rock gardens, challenging climbs, hills to bomb that would have been a blast on the rig - just me

[roadkillross]

i dont run because my knees is bad from running cross country for a few years.

[Nagaredama]

How about doing some sprints on a track? Keep those fast twitch fibers from withering away and utilize the phosphgen and glycolytic engergy pathways instead of just the oxidative.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Nagaredama

utilize the phosphgen and glycolytic engergy pathways instead of just the oxidative.

holy sh!t. not sure what u just said but sounds like you just cursed someone out in a foreign language

[0gravity]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I since found a link to a previous discussion on MTBR.com on the same topic. Some key points I took from all that are the following:

- Running is indeed better than nothing. That's what I wanted to hear because I don't always have time to get in a bike ride. I imagine that's most of us. (Caveat: if your knees are in bad shape, running isn't so great).

- When running can help get you out there pumping your heart and burning calories when you might not otherwise have time for a bike ride, someone suggested not doing less biking than 60 / 40 (biking / running).

- Even better than regular running is finding a nice set of stairs to run up and down on (taking it real easy on the way down so as not to get hurt). Stairs can really work you on the cardio side while also building up your quads and calves. And this translates better to stand-up riding than regular flat running (this might be worth telling ya'll crazy SS'ers). Plus, I've got some great stairs nearby halfway out on my regular running route.

- And this was an interesting topic: there's apparently a fairly well supported view that ONLY cycling (with no running or hiking) contributes to overall bone density loss, which, of course, makes your more prone to a break. I suspect this may be more the case for road cyclists, but mtn bikers as well. There's an interesting article someone posted at the following link on that discussion.

Running as Training - Mtbr.com Forums

[Nagaredama]

Since you live in Mar Vista you should head to the beach and run barefoot. Or head to Manhattan Beach and sprint up the dune.

Don't forget the muscles in the other 2/3 of your body.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by 0gravity

- And this was an interesting topic: there's apparently a fairly well supported view that ONLY cycling (with no running or hiking) contributes to overall bone density loss, which, of course, makes your more prone to a break. I suspect this may be more the case for road cyclists, but mtn bikers as well.

this comes from cycling being so low impact, I don't feel like mtn bikers have this problem... but just in case I ride rigid for the benefit of my bones

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by roadkillross

i dont run because my knees is bad from running cross country for a few years.

you sure its not from the workout it has with keepin that big noggin of yours upright?

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

you sure its not from the workout it has with keepin that big noggin of yours upright?

as seen at the Del

[Waldo]

Nothing wrong with running if you can't get a ride in. Agreed that mixing in some stairs is probably a good plan for an mtber. I'd also suggest some sprint intervals, rather than just droning along at a steady pace all the time. Even better if you can mix in a few sprints up some small hills. You can really push your cardio fitness in ways you might not even do on the bike.

I've read the same thing about bone density issues for roadies, swimmers, etc. It had to do with the combination of lack of stress on the skeletal system and the sweating out of minerals including calcium during prolonged exercise. Mixing in some running and/or weight training was recommended.

Wish I could still run, but bad knees & back ended that a while ago.

[Nagaredama]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Nothing wrong with running if you can't get a ride in. Agreed that mixing in some stairs is probably a good plan for an mtber. I'd also suggest some sprint intervals, rather than just droning along at a steady pace all the time. Even better if you can mix in a few sprints up some small hills. You can really push your cardio fitness in ways you might not even do on the bike.

Perfect advice!

If you are already doing LSD workouts on the bike I would do something at a very high intensity level off of the bike. 10 x 15 sec sprints with 1:00-3:00 of active rest inbetween would help a ton with your cycling fitness.

[SAR_boats]

I hate running!

That being said, since I can't really ride right now, it is good excercise and it works well to work some of the muscles that cycling doesn't use. I especially love trail running because of the scenery.

[PHAT TIRE]

I run occasionally but I found it's hard to get the muscles in running shape without being sore for a while and that effects my riding. When I was training, ran 2 mornings a week and road 3 days. That worked.

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

I run occasionally but I found it's hard to get the muscles in running shape without being sore for a while and that effects my riding.

I hear that! I almost never run and did some light trail running this past Sunday. Was sore till Wednesday.

[0gravity]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

I run occasionally but I found it's hard to get the muscles in running shape without being sore for a while and that effects my riding. When I was training, ran 2 mornings a week and road 3 days. That worked.

Word. I ran on Tuesday and did a bunch of stairs. My calves feel like I did back in high school, two days after pre-season training started. Ouch! I think the trick is to committ to run at least once a week, maybe twice, to keep those muscles in shape.