Running to help my cycling

Mish said:

I cannot spend as much time on the bike as I would like.
I want to become a better climber.
How can running help my cycling?
What type of running should I do?
I have 3,000 miles on the bike this year and no miles running.

I am not much of a runner, but I do do some trekking, light climbing, and day-hiking and that seems to assist my climbing ability... perhaps running up stairs?

im with astro, maybe some multi day hikes away from home. great for weight loss as you cant afford to waste time eating etc. and will build up your legs.

i lost 6kg's on an outward bound course for school, i found climbing much easier in the following weeks but after a month i had already put on 2kg's more tahn what i was at the start of the camp, lol.

Mish said:

I cannot spend as much time on the bike as I would like.
I want to become a better climber.
How can running help my cycling?
What type of running should I do?
I have 3,000 miles on the bike this year and no miles running.

Unfortunately running is unlikely to improve your cycling at all (as far as performance is concerned). That doesn't mean you shouldn't run though (I do). It can certainly help keep your weight down over the winter, provides a nice psychological break and might maintain a little central (CV) fitness. Just a few things to remember: 1. start slowly and build gently, your legs will not be used to the repetitive impacts of running and 2. remember that you are more likely to become injured running so it's a good idea to take a little extra care over things like choice of footwear etc.

L.

biker-linz said:

Unfortunately running is unlikely to improve your cycling at all (as far as performance is concerned). That doesn't mean you shouldn't run though (I do). It can certainly help keep your weight down over the winter, provides a nice psychological break and might maintain a little central (CV) fitness. Just a few things to remember: 1. start slowly and build gently, your legs will not be used to the repetitive impacts of running and 2. remember that you are more likely to become injured running so it's a good idea to take a little extra care over things like choice of footwear etc.

L.

If you cant ride for a handful of days due to travel, but still have time available for some sort of workouts what would be the most benificial for cycling?

As Linz sez, running is unlikely to make you a *better* cyclist. However, if you are unable to ride for some reason, then doing another cardio-type workout (such as running) will help to keep your cycling performance from dropping *as much* as if you had done nothing at all. Don't think that any time spent off the bike is likely to help your climbing, so strive to maintain a general CV fitness level and control weight instead.

That said, any of several different cardio-type workouts will probably give you the same benefit as running. I'd suggest picking one that's less likely to cause injury if you have other options.

flapsupcleanup said:

If you cant ride for a handful of days due to travel, but still have time available for some sort of workouts what would be the most benificial for cycling?

Don't laugh, but I wonder if a stair-climber might be better. But if you're going to do that you might as well use the bike in the gym.

L.

Running has helped me a lot in that it allowed me to drop a couple pounds that I could not shed cycling. I'm gearing up for a marathon and found the 2-3 hour runs to be very beneficial. The weight I lost (7 lbs) really helped my climbing. Of course, if your going to spend that much time, most people would just prefer to cycle. It is also much easier to get injured, the pounding really does a number on your knees.

If you are going to run, start slow and with a short duration and work your way up over at least a month or 2 taking rest days in between running workouts.

biker-linz said:

Don't laugh, but I wonder if a stair-climber might be better. But if you're going to do that you might as well use the bike in the gym.

L.

I've wondered about the stair climbers too. Of course if I have a choice I'll get on a bike any day but you dont always have the choice. Many of the gym bikes are so awful that it's hardly worth it because of the irritation.

Mish said:

I cannot spend as much time on the bike as I would like.
I want to become a better climber.
How can running help my cycling?
What type of running should I do?
I have 3,000 miles on the bike this year and no miles running.

Running is a great cardio work out which will help with cycling indirectly. Also, it works different muscle groups in your legs which makes it nice as an active rest activity.

If you want a running type activity that will help with climbing I can recommend hiking up very steep slopes (i'm in indonesia and have the luxury of climbing volcanoes sometimes). This will pressure your legs in areas familiar from bike climbing. If you can jog up the slope, all the better. Also, wearing a very heavy pack might be a good idea. Extra pressure on your legs, and it gives you a disturbingly muscular back (useless for cycling, but imagine the impression you'll make in a cycling vest!)

In the end, though, climbing on your bike is the best way to improve.