I recently took up cycling as a bit of cross training, but have got quite into it, to the point where I am thinking of doing some bike touring later in the year. My query is regarding fitting cycling trainig in with my running training, and how best to coordinate my weekly long slow run with my long slow cycle. I would prefer to do both over the weekend - is this a good idea, or should I try to do one during the week to get a bit of time between them ??

Hi CJR,

My friend who did Foster this year who has been a good runner 4-5 minute pace for 25 years, would say cycle more. If you want to improve in cycling that will take more time because a long cycle is a lot longer than a long run but easier on the body. Also cycling is a big help for hill running.

He used to ride on Saturday morning and run later on Sunday. This provides a bit of a break. I am sure there are more scientific replies than this but it seems to be good advice. Don't you reckon Murray - he never posts.

plu

Nothing scientific about my post but thought you'd be interested.

I do the long run (90-120min) Saturday morning and the long ride (60-90km) Sunday morning. For both weekends and during the week, I find that doing the ride after the run is best for recovery. e.g. if you do a tough hill/speed session during the week, schedule a ride for the next day. It helps you strengthen, but doesn't give you that wear and tear that constant days of running can give.

While you might not be considering doing any multi-sport events, I also find that a "brick" session at least once or twice a week is great. Slip on your running shoes after you finish one of your mid-week rides and run for 10-30 mins. This is one of the best bits of cross-training techniques I've come across and would not just benefit the triathletes among us.

All the best

A lot of IM athletes do a long ride Sat. morning and long run on Sunday. Usually the determining factor is time (can you afford more time training on a saturday morning for a long ride or sunday morning), and also recovery (when do you plan to run next?), and training partner availabilty.

While running Saturday means you're probably fresher to run, I actually try to run while feeling tired so prefer to ride/run. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve.

You may find that ride/run weekends will wipe you out the first couple of times - plan for the sunday afternoon nap. As you improve your fitness you will find that you recover better and handle the training loads.

Thanks for all the replies. Did long ride Sunday (my first ever), followed by run last night, and felt pretty good. I would actually love to do some triathlon, but have no interest/ability in swimming whatsoever. Now if someone could invent a golf/ride/run event that would get me going!

On a side note, my niggling knee has got considerably better since I have started cycling, which I guess is related to the fact that my VMO has got bigger and stronger.