How much will Cycle fitness help with Marathon training?

[Pdstubbs]

I'm working towards a half marathon. Take it slowly and heed all the advice about injuries etc. I find my calves have been most problematic and to be honest would take longer to build up to a full marathon than you plan but I'm 49.

 

[pubrunner]

Can it be done in 5 and a bit months? I did lots of running in my 20s and 30s but never done a Marathon so this is kind of unfinished business for me.

Hi Banj,

It could be done in 5 and a bit months, but it would depend almost entirely on what training you intend to do. You'd have to be prepared to greatly reduce your cycling training and get up to at least 30 mpw running.

I know that you are a fine cyclist and comfortable cycling well over 100 miles in a day. In my experience, your cycling fitness will provide only a small advantage by comparison with a complete novice. However, your experience of cycling long distances, will give you a great advantage over a novice, in terms of 'mindset'. A marathon is a 'long haul' and the mental aspects are almost as difficult as the physical ones.

In a sense, cycling is 'easier' than running; I've been on a few CChat rides and have managed to 'get round', purely through a modest amount of running training. This isn't because of any inherent ability on my part, but rather the following factors . . . the bike takes the weight of the rider, it is easier to take on board (and digest) food whilst cycling, and most importantly, when tired, there is nearly always the option to change down and spin a lower gear . . . that aspect, really helps.

Whilst running a half-marathon or marathon, it is much harder to 'get food on-board', 'cos realistically, you won't be able to eat any solids. If tired, there's no lower gear . . . . . . you just have to 'dig in'. However, with your extensive experience of cycling long distances, I think that you will have the mindset to do this.

I think that you should significantly reduce your cycling and increase your running mileage . . . but not too quickly. I actually think that you are in a 'win win' situation. If you 'ditch' cycling for 5 and a bit months and increase the running training, I actually think that you'd eventually become an even stronger cyclist. IMO, running is more 'aerobic' than cycling. I think that after '5 and a bit months' of decent running training, you'd jump back on a bike and be as quick (quicker) as ever.

To run a marathon, you need to train by running; cycling will not really help. A particular problem, is that runners & cyclists become attached to a particular mindset. You mention 'attempting' a 3 mile run . . . . . . . as a runner, I wouldn't even consider a training run of less than 6 hilly miles. Yet as a runner, I virtually never cycle more than 10-15 miles on a training ride; whereas the likes of yourself, LD, TC, Rich, RobH, SD etc. probably wouldn't get out of bed, unless you were cycling more than 40 miles.

Despite regularly doing 100 mile rides . . .

^^^ I read a remark like that, and I have to smile; for me, a 100 miles is a once a year 'special event' - such as the Llandrindod ride. Certainly not something that I'd consider doing on a regular basis.

For me, running 40 - 50 miles a week (family commitments allowing) is perfectly achievable; to a cyclist, it might seem a lot. Yet the same consideration, works from a cyclist's viewpoint. On the Llandrindod ride, I was amazed that some of the riders cycle more in a week, than I do in a year. I just couldn't comprehend, regularly cycling more than 100 miles per week. Yet some of those guys do 250-400 miles . . . a week ! I don't know why, but I just can't imagine what it would be like - it might be that it would be something that I could manage fine, but somehow, I just can't get my head around it.

You might have a similar 'struggle', mentally trying to adapt to running training. The secret is to only increase the distance you train, in small increments. You can, however, introduce a bit of speed work - just once a week and also a few hills.

Not really concerned about times. Anything less than 5 hours will be a bonus.

You shouldn't be overly concerned about a time; and I can tell you, I don't think that you'll be too bothered either, when you get over 20 miles.

A 5 hour marathon is about 11:20 minute mileing . . . . . . . I think that you'd be (comfortably) capable of that . . . with adequate training.

If you do decide to do the Chester marathon, let me know . . . . . . . it is only 40/45 minutes from my house. You'd be welcome to 'kip over' if you wish, or at the very least, come and have a meal.

 

[pubrunner]

. . . . . . . but I'm 49.

Younger than most on this thread, then.

 

[tonyg52]

In March this year I ran my first half marathon in fifteen years, followed a training plan of increasing distances over a 3 month period, with emphasis on distance and not speed. All this was in addition to cycling and my Audax RRTY.
Apart from some aerobic fitness I had to train for the two disciplines as separate entities.

 

[Banjo]

many thanks to all who replied especially to Mr Jamie, Rich P and pubb Runner for the detailed replies.

The big thing that has surprised me is how ffing hard it is. At 25 I could drink until 2 aM then run at 8 hard and fast. Now just doing a 3 miler is really hard and leaves me aching the next day.

Im taking onboard the advice and taking it gently (not much choice to be honest) .Thanks for kind words of support but As this is a cycling forum I guess I should STFU now and just say I do appreciate the advice and encouragement.

 

[HLaB]

Its probably been said Banjo but your lungs & heart will be upto it but its new set of muscles beeing exercised or muscles exercised in a differerent way; good luck! I know a lot of runners who have became cyclist and a few that went back to running and they are certainly good at it.

 

[ayceejay]

This may or may not come as a shock to you but 26 + miles is a very long way. As part of my marathon training I joined the Long Distance Walking Association, I found that having walked 26 miles and more I was better prepared mentally for the marathon.

 

[Louch]

I have run 4 half marathons over last two years, and last I run in march was my slowest as iv been cycling rather than running this year. No substitute for getting out there and doing it. I'm still slow, run betweenn10 and 11 min miles, but enjoy the challenge of it.