Will getting into running harm my cycling?

[boydj]

Like others urging caution, I'd say build up very gradually and stay away from hills for a few weeks.

Way back, I was a club runner, racing almost every week at all distances from 5k to marathon, running sub six-minute miles regularly, even in half-marathons. I last ran seriously in 2005 and started commuting by bike shortly after and got the cycling bug. Last year I decided I'd like to try the local park run and went for a very easy jog of about a mile. My right achilles was still sore two weeks later. I think the biggest mistake was that the run had a couple of short, but fairly steep hills and this is where the damage was done. I'm sticking to cycling now, with regular golf for cross training.

 

[minininjarob]

Depends where you're starting from. When I did my first Parkrun, I had no idea what would be a "reasonable" time, so I set myself a target of 25 minutes and beat it comfortably. The following week I reduced my target to 24 minutes and beat that comfortably too. Less than four months later, I did my first sub-21min parkrun, and was able to achieve that without injuring myself or "overdoing it". This was as a 39yo who hadn't done any running since leaving school, but was reasonably fit from regular cycling.

An ex-colleague of mine who was much fitter than me, and a few years younger, also took up running a few years ago, likewise having not run since school, and was soon achieving sub-20min times for 5km. I believe his PB is now sub-17min. The sod. (ETA: just checked - 16:59, so only just!)

Without knowing more about the OP - age, weight, fitness level - it's impossible to predict what would be a "reasonable" time for him to achieve for a 5km run. We don't know anything about the abilities of the people he's up against either, so it's also impossible to say if winning the 5km event is a realistic target.

That’s fair enough, but you still eased your way in - from 26min and took 4 months to get to 21min. I started at about 32 min and made my way to 26 minutes - which is good for an overweight ex-sprinter (was never any good at endurance stuff and the cycling didn’t help my running!).

Just take the first few runs easy and build up over time - doesn’t matter what the time is!

 

[minininjarob]

If you are buying new shoes go to a specialist shop who are able to analyse your gate.Plus any pronation problems.

Not cheap a bit like a bike fit.Better safe than injured due to inadequate cushioning etc.

I would second this. I had really bad feet from working in shops for 12 years and my local running shop were excellent. I tried some shoes while being filmed on their treadmill and ended up getting some Brooks which had a lot of arch support. I didn’t need to use my special insoles for the first time in years. I went back a Few times for advice and they were brilliant, ended up buying my second pair of running shoes from them.

I baulked at spending £100 on some shoes but I’m glad I did - in the end it’s a LOT cheaper sport than a lot of bike bits.

 

[Drago]

It's important to build into running more gradually than you might with cycling. Your lungs will adapt much quicker than your legs, and this makes minor but persistent injuries quite common in the early days. The older you are, the more likely it will be.

 

[smutchin]

That’s fair enough, but you still eased your way in - from 26min and took 4 months to get to 21min.

Indeed. That's fine as a general principle but my point really was that there's no point quoting specific times for the OP because there's no basis for knowing what he might be capable of.

Just take the first few runs easy and build up over time - doesn’t matter what the time is!

Agreed. As a new runner, it's probably best to concentrate on good technique rather than speed - I found the Chi Running book helpful, which was recommended to me by a friend.

 

[jay clock]

As a triathlete (crap but had managed 4 Ironmans so must be doing something right) I can vouch for the benefits of varying what you do. If not already mentioned, look at Couch to 5k and do break it in gently whatever you do

 

[Shortandcrisp]

As a general rule, I reckon running would make you a better cyclist, or, at the very least, make cycling seem slightly easier.
Not sure the reverse is true!

 

[Spoons47]

I did the couch to 5K to get fit during a strict diet, but found running so boring. However it did lead me into cycling and the now the bug is firmly set in. Also as a 54 year old running was very hard on the joints.

 

[beany_bot]

Swimming also good for stamina

I LOVE swimming. Prefer it even to cycling. But I just don't have the time to get down to the baths and all the faff that surrounds it before and after. Young kids and all that.

 

[Lavender Rose]

I have to say, since competing in duathlon - it has helped my cycling and running. You can pick up online interval guides to get your speed up. The key is to not run too fast, too far, too soon.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I cycle to and from work and have been getting steadily faster and faster. I'm not racing anyone but it's good to know I'm getting faster and better all the time.

I don't run at all but I am going to go in for a corporate 5k thing in November. Thing is, I don't want to just do it, I want to win it. So I am going to start training hard for it. Just wondering if building these running muscles will in anyway be detrimental to my cycling? (which is my true joy).

Thanks.

mix it up its what I started last year. Expect some soreness to start with but stretch off after each run and you should be fine. Best thing ever was to start running, its all good !

 

[HLaB]

Running is generally good for your cardio I believe. Certainly the folk I know who were/are runners are very strong. One of my mates however, who was going the same way (getting really strong) injured his knee which has stopped him cycling all summer. Take care and good luck ☺

 

[Enigma2008]

I cant run for tuppence , but i wish i could as it would help my cycling stamina no end.

Couch to 5k will get you sorted, all done under instruction and music. NHS supported it's a nice gradual introduction to running. Downloads available all over the place Itunes, BBC, NHS.

 

[Globalti]

For God's sake take it easy with the running. Thanks to you high CV fitness you will run harder than your body would want you to and cyclists are notorious for inflexible muscles and tendons.