Distance Runner converting to Cycling?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mulligan
I am a distance runner at a Division 1 university. I have been injured most of my career here after having much success in high school. I am considering the possibility of taking my aerobic talent to cycling as I have also developed a bit mroe muscle mass (6'2" 165) than the typical 10k runner in college. Are there any studies or anyone with experience as to how well aerobic talent crosses over? I used to mountain bike race when I was a bit younger, but never trained for it or took it too seriously, so that doesn't help too much. Any thoughts?

My girlfriend is going the same route. The biggest problem that she has found is balance. I can understand that, moving from your feet to a 1/4" of rubber. If I were you, I would look up one of the local clubs, they can work with you. As for your base aerobic talent, you shouldn't have too much trouble with that. I have had to cross between the two myself due to military duty as well as training for tri's and I have found that my cycling has helped my running and vice versa. Hope this helps.

Your weight/height is exactly same as mine. heh, cool.

Anyway, I got 2 friends to start riding a few years ago that were both distance runners. One had knee trouble, and the other got tired of running alone.

I was amazed at how easily they converted(i'm talking road here). You'll have the initial shoulder/butt/neck sorness for sure, but that passes as you get used to it.

The main thing I remember is how well they did on the flats. They could cruise along at a good clip right from the start. They had trouble with the hills at first. I'd imagine it's the muscle use and the cross over. I'm sure someone will know all the technical reasons. I kinda understand, but not well enough to put it down in writing. I'm sure a coach or someone that has trained a TRI-Head will know.

This is just what I observed, and may not stand up, but maybe it will help and if you experience the same trouble with hills don't fret it will come, and they are both excelent riders!

C-

Oh yeah. Took forever to get them to drink enough water!!!! sheesh, I had to beat it into their heads!! LIQUIDS.

I ran x-country in high school, and at the Naval Academy Prep. School, but got into cycling while I was stationed in Germany in the Army.

The aeorbic stuff converts right over. And you are already very light for your height.

I was both a very good sprinter and excellent climber on the local level, and I attribute a lot of that to the running I did for years.

The interesting thing was, even at my peak of cycling ability ('95), I jumped off the bike and went for a run expecting to do what I used to, and got my butt kicked by running. I never ached so much in years before.

The transition of running to cycling is easy, but after years of only exclusive cycling, going back and running was really wierd, and painful!