bicyclist looking at running for X-training

Ravi said:

i am road biker - recreational bicyclist (non racing). For this
upcoming winter, i intend to take up running as cross-training. What are
you thoughts on that ? I am reasonably fit (relative term), but my
aerobic condition isn't bad, but that whenever i run in my gym, i am
out-of-breath pretty soon. With bicycling the intensity isn't high, that
may be the reason...

Yes.

Quoted message said:

my goals, improve the cardio-vascular endurance and increase the oxygen
utilization. Probably do a 5k or 10k if i happen to feel comfortable
doing it.

anyways, the questions i have are:
1. is running injury prone ? I know a bunch of runners, almost all of
them had some injury or other in the last year. I would like to avoid
the injury part, because i commute to work on a bicycle, so i dislike
injuries that keeps me off the bike. Any tips on injury avoidance ?

I run 9 miles a day, no injurys in roughly 25 years with the exception
of one short "nike incident". Listen to me, no one else.

Quoted message said:

2. where do i start ? Buying a running shoe ? How do i buy one ? Just
into any shop and get a pair of running shoes ? Or, is it mandatory to
go into a running shop for fit purposes ??

Absolutely mandatory to go to a real running shop, where they can
observe you running and walking, and suggest a model for your style of
running. Expect to spend about $90 for a good, quality running shoe.
You simply cannot skimp on this, or you will be one of those dickeads
you describe above with injurys.
Last, start out run/walking, by running until you are out of breath
then walking until you catch it, and start running again. Repeat. Do a
mile walk before as warmup, and a mile afterwards as cool down. Only
increase mileage by 5% a week.

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and
more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day
the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the
White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
"Anyone with degrees from Yale and Harvard is presumed to be intelligent,
but George W. Bush has managed to overcome that presumption."

The convential wisdom is to train as close to your
sport of interest as possible. The exercycles in the
gym may be better than running if you are mainly
interested in biking.

Quoted message said:

Is running injury prone ? I know a bunch of runners, almost all of
them had some injury or other in the last year.

No, if you build up moderately. I didnt get my first serious injury
until my 27th year of running and I'm back it, more carefully, since.
Many of the "type A", marathon-in-six-month types I know
didnt last their first year.

Quoted message said:

Where do i start ? Buying a running shoe ? How do i buy one ?

Google for the Beginners FAQ in this newsgroup. Real running shoes,
as opposed to general or show-off athletic shoes are necessary.
I dont know it is necessary to get a professional fit, unless you
start getting sore.

Moderation is the key. Alternate walking/running until you can run
without breathing hard for 20 minutes. Then you may increase the
length you average run by five minutes each month if you want.
You get up to most any racing length you desire in due time.

Ravi said:

Hi,
i am road biker - recreational bicyclist (non racing). For this
upcoming winter, i intend to take up running as cross-training. What are
you thoughts on that ? I am reasonably fit (relative term), but my
aerobic condition isn't bad, but that whenever i run in my gym, i am
out-of-breath pretty soon. With bicycling the intensity isn't high, that
may be the reason...

If you hold the bike pace consistently over 30 km/h, that will help
with the aerobic conditioning.

Quoted message said:

my goals, improve the cardio-vascular endurance and increase the oxygen
utilization. Probably do a 5k or 10k if i happen to feel comfortable
doing it.

anyways, the questions i have are:
1. is running injury prone ? I know a bunch of runners, almost all of
them had some injury or other in the last year. I would like to avoid
the injury part, because i commute to work on a bicycle, so i dislike
injuries that keeps me off the bike. Any tips on injury avoidance ?

Don't run too much. Start with just 1-2 km, 6-8 min/km, twice per
week, then build up the pace and distance gradually. Do this at the
same time of year that you're still biking regularly.

Quoted message said:

2. where do i start ? Buying a running shoe ? How do i buy one ? Just
into any shop and get a pair of running shoes ? Or, is it mandatory to
go into a running shop for fit purposes ??

Running shops are generally better at getting you into a shoe that
fits.

Quoted message said:

i am sure i will have more questions when i actually start running...
thanks in advance for yout tips/suggestions,

+ravi

I'd work on getting better oxygen utilization........Your post reads
like it was penned on top of Mount Everest.