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.

seamus wrote: »

In the same way that if you get on the bike and go do 150km after a few months off everything will hurt. Someone who is unfit will be out of breath before their muscles complain. You won't, you could actually do some real damage.

100% this. Go ridiculously slowly to begin with. All the ligaments and tendons will strengthen (thicken) and the chances of injuries ahead should be reduced.

I suffered from ankle tendonitis after going from zero running to 30/40km running per week. When it finally cleared up, I started back with walking 5-10km per week for a month, then upped to 1-2 km slow jogs (6:30-7:00 per km) three times a week for a few weeks, then upped the distance again but not the pace to 3-4 km three times a week, ... You get the picture.

Physio told me once you start doing 20km per week to increase distance at most 10% per week. To help stop myself going mad I introduced interval sessions at this stage, high intensity, low distance.

2 years later, zero injuries, and running away.

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....