Yeah, ok, the best way to gain running fitness is to run!But, in the event of injury, how transferable is cycling fitness to running? If I train aerobically on my bike, will my CV base fitness increase at a similar rate to running, given similar HR and time?
Better than nothing, but pool running would be better.
... part of the problem would be that you probably wouldn't be able to produce the same HR cycling as you would running. ... and if you did, your legs would probably be shot the next day.
I dont't think he asked about pool running.
There is very little transfer at all. Sorry. The only hope you have is to stand for intervals on your bike. Then there is some cross-over. The only cross over from normal biking is for completely sedentary persons who will improve on anything. Try pool running or just plain rest.
I find it very easily transferable.
Both sports are aerobic sports. I routinely go for hour long runs off my biking base. Don't get wrapped up with 'keeping your heart rate up'. Just go out do an easy 2-3 hours at a nice spin rate. You aren't trying to be a cyclist. You just want to maintain a level of aerobic fitness until your injury heals. Don't make it worse by fragging your legs. Heal up and you can wade back in the mix by running and cycling until you feel you can switch back totally. Good luck
actually you will find that a healthy dose of biking on a trainer (a road bike on a stand) will give you a blazing kick at the end of the race. your glutes and upper hamstrings get built huge on a bike.
what do you guys think about using the eliptical machine in place of the bike, no pool access for me in the winter
It all depends what kind of bike you are riding. The absolute best way to cross train is use a Schwinn Spinner stationary bike which has a 40-lb flywheel. You actually get a better cardiovascular workout than running by using it properly and doing intervals. As a result, the benefits are very transferable to running.
Now, if you are riding a mountain bike around on the roads, that won't really do much. You'd have to really work hard to get any benefit out of that.
No joke, the Schwinn Spinner is something not many runners use, but should. The reason why people suck after cross training is that they run in the pool and ride crappy bikes... you remember how Spiker ran his 4:0? mile Sr year in Hikeschool after only a few weeks of 18 miles a week? Well, he was using the Schwinn Spinner as part of his xtraining.
There are lots of types of elliptical machines, and I don't know what type you have, but generally I favor them to cycling. Best is if there are no arm swings, and the incline is adjustable, in which case make it as level as possible (the "easiest" setting). Use a cadence similar to running or faster, which may involve swinging your arms as you do running -- very different technique than most in the gym use with the elliptical. Use resistance to control effort level. Really, its a lot like running, except your feet don't quite come off the pedals, and the "road" falls away working your quads and reducing impact.
It works the hamstrings reasonably well, with little impact, and maybe you can work on increasing leg turnover while you're at it. But I find the foot placement is wider than natural and puts some unaccustomed strain on my knees, so go easy at first, otherwise you might screw something else up.
Still not as good as pool running though. Also, will it prolong recovery? If it might, its a tough choice.
I'm a junior in high school and I have no idea what an elliptical trainer is, can someone enlighten me?
Its a contraption that old runners sometime use when their body has given out under the pressure of workouts they once did easily as 17 year olds.
Its also something that yuppies and fat people use, when they want to loose some of their blubber but aren't really into excercise -- the important factor being that when they're on it, they can still watch TV in the gym. Runners don't like elliptical trainers because they are afraid of being mistaken for this type of "person".
If you want a description, go here (pulled it off of google):
I agree with SpaceManSpiff. Better than cycling, not
as good as (but mentally easier than) pool running. You
can definitely sustain a higher heart rate with less
effort on the elliptical than on either the bike or in
the pool.
Watch out for the wide foot placement - for men in
particular most ellipticals have the feet too far apart.
I tend to feel it in my adductors after a long workout.
It helps to change the incline slightly every so often
(but keep it neer level and keep the cadence high). Try
to stay loose - don't get a death grip on the rails or
your back will get tight. I also find it helps to move
my feet around on the pedals every now and then.
The elliptical is great for training around some injuries
(zero impact), but for others it can be as stressful as
running, so you have to be careful. Build up your time
on the elliptical gradually - if you are in good running
shape it transfers easily to the elliptical, so you can
go a long time without a lot of effort, but you will likely
regret it if you just hop on and go for two hours the first
time you do it.
You got that right. Geez, most don't even have a drop of sweat when they get off those things.
"Ever seen a kenyan on a stairmaster" (don't remember who said this.)