Most of us
know that there are many health benefits to running, including a healthy heart,
mind and body, but the one disadvantage to running is the impact on your bones
and joints. There is a fine line between solid training and doing too much
mileage, which can result in pain, bruising, even a stress fracture, often just
before a big race you’ve been training for. All runners who have suffered from
this know how terribly disappointing it can be after putting in all the hard work
and then not to reach the start line. The good news is that cycling as a
cross-training activity offers a great way to maintain your training while
reducing the risk of overuse injuries, and can really compliment your running
performance.
CYCLING CURE
Johannesburg-based
physiotherapist Toni Hesp has completed 23 Comrades Marathons and says that one
of her best Comrades races yet was when she had picked up a painful stress
fracture just six weeks prior to the big day. She decided to only cycle for
those last weeks leading up to the race and went on to run a great Comrades. She
says that once she had taken that impact off her legs, her body was able to
heal in time for the race.
“An athlete
can get away with running three to four times a week and then compliment their
training with cycling and they will still have a good Comrades or ultra-marathon.
So instead of running six times a week, cut down on the running mileage and
start pedalling,” says Toni. “Cycling works a lot of the same muscles that
running does, including the quads and hamstrings, but you don’t have the
jarring effect on your body. Another advantage that cycling brings to a runner
is the endurance factor, because so many hours are spent on the bike and this
compliments an athlete’s level of endurance.”
Toni adds that
cycling gives the body a break from the impact that running has on the body,
giving the athlete better odds in avoiding injuries. Also, runners who battle
to get up the hills and usually end up walking will also benefit from cycling,
as it focuses on the upper legs and strengthens them. So before you know it,
you wont be walking those hills anymore.
TIPS FOR GETTING
STARTED
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It doesn’t matter if you have a mountain
bike, a road bike, a hybrid or a triathlon bike. What does matter is having a
bike that fits, so get expert advice from your nearest reputable bike shop
before buying a bike – or borrowing the too-big (or too-small) frame and wheels
from your neighbour.
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Essential items are a helmet, bike shorts
(these are padded in the crotch and butt), sunglasses and a seat bag with a
spare tube, multi-tool and inflation device. Optional Items are cycling gloves,
chamois cream, bike shoes and clip-in pedals, and a bike computer.
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Before you go on your first ride, make sure
you know how to change a tyre if you get a flat. If you don’t have a cycling
buddy to teach you how to do this, go to a local bike shop and they will be
happy to teach you.
Cycling is something you can do with friends and family who are not running
enthusiasts, as many people will ride with you just because it is fun to ride
bikes. Also, you can ride outdoors or indoors: If you want to get out and enjoy
the fresh air on a beautiful day, you can just hop on your bike and ride. At
the same time, with an indoor stationary bike, you can still get a good workout
if the weather is lousy, or you get home after dark.
READER-RIDER SNAP POLL
We asked
our readers if they use cycling for cross-training and whether it helps them
with their running, and the answers were overwhelmingly positive:
Dean Martins Almeida: Absolutely,
no doubt.
Ollie Olivier: If you cycle fast. Otherwise
your heart rate lingers below the target rate.
Joulanda du Toit: Yes, it
does.
Natalie Madies: Only on
recovery days
Debbie Osborne:
Absolutely 100% YES!
Rob McDonald: Most
definitely.
Willie Venter: Definitely.
It increased my hill climbing strength and drastically reduced knee pain on
steep trail descents. Should’ve started long ago!