Any of you go running after years of cycling?!

I’ve done 3 marathons in the past 12 months. Each time I felt it in the knees, from reading up on it. It’s over developed upper legs. (Quads , hamstrings etc.)

Just keep at it. Make sure you have good runners.

What Username Guidelines wrote: »

.... commenting for 10+ years on the bike....

Now I've an image of you passing remarks and opinions on everybody and everything as you zip along! :pac:

bazermc wrote: »

What is this running thing?

It's a popular way of destroying your body. Any cyclist who considers it is obviously not doing enough cycling.

Dip in and out of running, usually train up to the 10km in an hour sort of level and then lose interest for another few months... the knees inevitably start to suffer and I start to wane... my back problem does feel much better as a result of the stronger core so I keep meaning to find a running routine similar to my cycling where I tip away at a near constant fitness level of less but often, but the bike wins most of the time... and if doesn't I'd probably prefer a good hike...

Arequipa wrote: »

I just wanted to know if any of you found running really tough after lots of cycling?
Are there any ways to prep your body for the impact, use of different muscles etc?

Aerobically, running after a cycling focus isn't tough, but that's where the danger lies really - doing too much too soon when the muscles and joints aren't ready.

I did Triathlon for a couple of years, and have tried to keep a weekly run going, especially in weather like this. One (of several) reasons I've moved away from triathlon is the toll of running on the body (it was mainly the bike is just best though!). There are some that are adamant that the toll on the body is muscle imbalances/ weak core etc that will eventually show from cycling too, so the wear and tear excuse is just kicking the can down the road. I guess we'll see.

As for prep, just build up slowly as Seamus suggested no more than 10% a week. Or the couch to 5k someone else suggested. Apart from that, it's mobility/ flexibility and strength work that will help. None of which I do regularly, hence the constant run niggles.

I wouldn't listen to advice on what runners though - if you're going to do it, go somewhere for a gait analysis like Amphibian King. Speaking from the experience of a supinator, a lot of the symptoms are the same as an overpronator (which is much more common) - if I'd listened to advice on boards and got stability runners it would've been the exact opposite of what I needed, despite the symptoms apparently being the same.

A bit of impact exercise is supposed to be good for bone density in cyclists. For me, there's just days it's easier to fit in a run than a bike really though.

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'm looking into starting a swimming regime for core strength. anyone else do this?

I don't think it would add much tbh. To swim well you need a strong core, not that it helps build a strong core.

Thargor wrote: »

Which of the couch to five k apps are the best? Play Store is flooded with them.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.c25k&hl=en_IE

This was the first one I found that didnt require payment to unlock all routines. There are ads instead but you can at least put up with them. After week 2 I ended up paying because it's a decent app. Can listen to spotify while running and theres a tone and voice prompt to tell you when to walk/run. I use it on iOS but assume its the same.

Used to run loads and then took up mountain biking/cycling, thereafter the running took a nose dive.

This year, I'd say 10 months since I last went for a run, I partook in a charity 5k. I'd been commuting loads on the bike, putting up big mileage and the lungs and heart were in good form. So I clocked in 22 minutes, not fast really but way ahead of my running work colleagues. For the next week though, literally the 7 days, i was very sore all over - a bad case of the DOMS.

Bang for buck it's hard to beat a fast (for you) 5km.

Similar to some above, came from a cycling background and got into running alongside it some years back. Think it's been mentioned above but would strongly advise getting proper runners, in a proper running shop. They may seem expensive, but as someone who's spent a small fortune on physio after a couple of running induced injuries I highly advise investing in them.

Some may disagree, but I wouldn't get too caught up in a couch to 5k program if you've a good level of cycling fitness, as seamus says above just start out slow and build it up gradually.

As for stretching, there's a lot of debate as to whether static stretching does more harm than good. Personally I absolutely hate it and go through phases of not doing it, but I probably feel the benefit more when I do. Good bit of advice I got was never to stretch a cold muscle for more than 2 seconds. Think of a rubber band coming out of a freezer, you stretch it too long and it snaps, multiple small short stretches are what's needed. And pay attention to your Achilles, that's a proper bastard of an injury to deal with....

im mostly cycling fit at the moment but go for 2 hour walks at the weekend, recently started doing some jogging during the walk , idea would be at least once a week turn my 10km walk into half walk and half jog and a shorter one half that during the week. the bike is staying in the shed for the next two weeks so hopefully a chance to build up the jogging over the xmas period. i also want to build up core fitness either using a body weight routine or toying with the idea of getting a squat rack, its possible to get lots of benefits from an hour a week.

Did it this summer.

I'd always be ok(ish) for a 5k run.

Did a half marathon and a couple of the quest series (hardest category) by end of summer. Really like the quest ones

Have a brother who's a good runner. Gave me the same advice as above and it worked.

No more than 10% extra a week.

I started with two 3k runs a week and built up.
Once I got to a 7k and a 5k i went to 3 runs a week. One long two short.

The once I ignored my own plan I paid dearly and had to do bike only for a while.

Had a kid in October. Bike and runners in shed since. Gonna be a painful January!!!

I always tracked my runs with garmin but never worried about being quick on the long ones. Just hit and stick to a steady pace. Did try pushing on with 5k ones by the end.

I am deffo now ****e at 2 sports!!

I took up cycling 7 years ago (aged 45 - typical mamil stuff) and joined club, few sportives, one Alps trip, one day on Ventoux, not competitive, just leisure. Got fairly hooked on it, enthusiastic but not devoted/obsessed, peaked around 5/6K km per year.
I had tried a small bit of running before, but knees were a bit dodgy. Last few years did a bit of running again, and hey presto, knees stood up to it ok, thanks to muscle development from cycling. Not too much, but got up to doing a few 10ks etc. but cycling was still the main thing.
My OH does a bit of running (late starter also) and worked up to doing DCM in 2016 & 2017. While I had no intention of doing the marathon, the support and buzz on the day in Dublin seemed brilliant when I was supporting her, much better than any cycling event I did including Mallorca 312 which I did (225 version) this Spring. So having done a HM last year I signed up and did DCM this year.
Obviously cycling took a back seat during that training, and I've only done a few moderate spins since. It's going to take a while to get back to where I was cycling-wise.
It did take a while to get going at the running, but I didn't go at it too hard initially, maybe running less than once a week while still cycling. It's when building up the volume of running, or doing hard efforts that injuries seem to occur. Got a good bit of useful info from the athletics forum here on Boards. Initially I kinda had the one pace for most of my runs, but learned that you need to make yourself run slowly (not as easy as it sounds) to build mileage and prevent injury. They then say to build some volume first, then add some speedier sessions / intervals. Not a good idea to try to build volume and speed at the same time.
Most training for the Marathon here were doing 5-6 days per week, but I just did three (occasionally four) and maybe one cycle as well, and was reasonably happy with my time.
I got some niggles, but nothing more than when starting cycling, and luckily no issues with achilles / calf muscle apart from mild calf tightness at times. I do believe that Achilles injuries need to be treated with respect and caution, knowing some folk who did have trouble, including one full tendon rupture, and one partial. It seems 40-50 somethings can commonly rupture them.
I still prefer the freedom and mile-munching of cycling, plus the sociability of a club spin (can't keep up now though), but time-wise running is great. You can go for a decent run from 30 mins upwards, whereas cycling needs a good bit more to be worthwhile.
Looking forward to striking a better balance of both going forward.

Good luck with whatever approach you take, just remember to mind that Achilles... You want to avoid this at all costs! (needs volume): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsvcqS6tCLs

After a multiple fracture injuries some years ago, I run a bit on the grass in the park (there's elements of arthritis since that accident which I don't want to inflame and which makes itself known), but nothing like as often as I should.

I'm a relatively fit mountainbiker but I took up running recently. The first night I started with great intentions of starting slowly, warm up, walk run for 20 mins and warm down. 5 mins in I thought f*ck this, it's easy and ran 5km straight. 2 visits to the physio and lots of pain later I am starting back into it SLOWLY. As mentioned, cardio fitness is your enemy when starting out.

Trail/Hill running is the only way to go....
Try a duathlon and then progress to adventure racing...