Runner trying to start cycling -Help

shaunhancock said:

I have been a runner for several years and absolutely love it. But after having back surgury my neurosurgeon told me to cut my miles to 15 a week. That is just no fun. Soo, I am switching to cycling. Already have a decent road bike, and ok mountain bike. I am wondering what advice anyone in the forums can give, especially from those of you who have made the same change. Is there somewhere I can go to find beginning training calendars?

Thanks,

-Shaun

This would be a good start. bicycling.com1,3317,s1,00.htmlOpen ↗

lw

shaunhancock said:

I have been a runner for several years and absolutely love it. But after having back surgury my neurosurgeon told me to cut my miles to 15 a week. That is just no fun. Soo, I am switching to cycling. Already have a decent road bike, and ok mountain bike. I am wondering what advice anyone in the forums can give, especially from those of you who have made the same change. Is there somewhere I can go to find beginning training calendars?

Thanks,

-Shaun

15 miles a week is too few?! Well, I guess if you're really into running... But yea, welcome to our sport. I switched from running (though not hardcore like you) to cycling and found it pretty hard because of all the new muscle groups that get used.

I used to run, and then I started cycling and didn't stop. The trick is to start feeling out your physio... what I mean by this is start experimenting with distances, riding types (mountain, road, urban assault), exertion, and all the rest, just like you would warm up after a long time off of running. Don't let yourself get scared by miles and distances, either. What you can do in 2 hours on a bike is a lot more than you'd think. Start having fun and learn how to get coordinated and adjusted to riding.

Anyone else find it funny that someone with back problems wants to cycle, all I can say is find correct form right away or you will pay very soon.

endurance222 said:

Anyone else find it funny that someone with back problems wants to cycle, all I can say is find correct form right away or you will pay very soon.

Believe it or not, cycling, specifically road riding was reccomended by my physical therapist. He worked with me on posture, and said I would be a lot better off road riding than MTB or running. It is the repetitive jarring that could cause me further injury.

Thanks all for your advice.

-Shaun

Shaun,
I was in the same position as you except I was a (Football) Soccer Player....I used to get chronic Back Pain every few months but touch wood, nothing since I've been road biking...

I started with a MTB and after changing over to a Road Bike I found I was a lot better off and have never looked back...
On a Road Bike you can change hand positions and the angle of your Torso as you ride...

It would really pay to have your bike fitted by a good LBS to save problems down the road...

Then, initially, you don't really need any Training strategy, just ride, ride, ride....plenty of base miles!!

Good luck!

shaunhancock said:

Believe it or not, cycling, specifically road riding was reccomended by my physical therapist. He worked with me on posture, and said I would be a lot better off road riding than MTB or running. It is the repetitive jarring that could cause me further injury.

Thanks all for your advice.

-Shaun

Wow, I didn't know that.

I too have played soccer my whole life (spent some time with the NOMADS and a couple other clubs in Orange County for the guy in SoCal) and still have back pain, and I run marathons (which doesn't bother me near as much).

I started cycling about 3 weeks ago and it was a bit strange to be in extremly good shape but still feel some pain at first. It's not so bad anymore but you will be suprised what you don't use running.

Jaguar27 said:

Shaun,
I was in the same position as you except I was a (Football) Soccer Player....I used to get chronic Back Pain every few months but touch wood, nothing since I've been road biking...

I started with a MTB and after changing over to a Road Bike I found I was a lot better off and have never looked back...
On a Road Bike you can change hand positions and the angle of your Torso as you ride...

It would really pay to have your bike fitted by a good LBS to save problems down the road...

Then, initially, you don't really need any Training strategy, just ride, ride, ride....plenty of base miles!!

Good luck!

+1 Base miles are as important to your cycling as they are to distance running. You need to build your cycling muscles stamina and endurance. You already have your aerobic base from running. I'm primarily a distance/marathon runner and found the above to be true when I started to cycle for cross-training. If you use an HRM for run training you will notice a much lower heart rate when cycling.

A few years back, I used to have a 5-mile commute to work. I would run the route one or twice a week, and ride it the rest. When running, I would either car-pool home, or walk.

I didn't find any conflicting muscles, but I was also playing basketball at the same time.

Since then we've moved, and my commute is 8 miles, and always by bicycle. I also play tennis, so I get some running in there.

My advice is to just start riding. Your body will tell you when it's had enough. Pay attention to the signals. You should be able to work up to 10 or 20 miles rather quickly.

That's great, I've heard some good things about the NOMADS...
I'm from the UK so I grew up playing Footy...but had to quit unfortunately due to a back injury...too much impact and twisting etc..you know the score...

Anyway, I started getting fat and Lazy, so re-started Cycling again 3 years ago and absolutely love it...it's also done wonders for my back!! Seems cranking really builds up the glutes, lower back muscles etc..and no impact on the old spine etc...

So you started 3 weeks ago? Fantastic!! as I said before, get your Bike set up right and just crank out plenty of base miles...at first 12 miles would kill me, now, although I'm not Lance by any means, a Century isn't a problem and I climbed Mount Haleakala in Maui last month, 36 miles and 10,023 ft.
So it can be done....plus I'm an old 50 year old fart now...but thanks to riding I feel 25 again (A 25 year old that's been run over by a Steam Roller sometimes). But yeah, Cycling is brilliant for helping back pain...depending on what causes it of course...

Keep up the good work mate!!

SBSpartan said:

I too have played soccer my whole life (spent some time with the NOMADS and a couple other clubs in Orange County for the guy in SoCal) and still have back pain, and I run marathons (which doesn't bother me near as much).

I started cycling about 3 weeks ago and it was a bit strange to be in extremly good shape but still feel some pain at first. It's not so bad anymore but you will be suprised what you don't use running.

Three years ago I had back surgery which completely ended my running. I actually had two surgerys. The first took out 80% of L3 and L4 discs. The second cleaned up the infection I recieved from the first. The second surgery is the one that really f$#!@$ me up. I can't even run a mile without pain. Mind you when I was in rehab I followed their instructions to a tee. I stretch and try to strenghthen my lower back but to no avail. They think the infection reached it's way into my lower back muscle destoying some of it. I guess thats why it never gets stronger. I really do work out like a fiend. Anyway my therapist suggested I not try biking. I believe this is because I told him of my mountain bike adventures. I rode pretty hard. Oh yeah, I also mountain biked before surgery. I sold the bike after rehab ended. Last fall I was in for an appointment for my back, as it had acted up again. The physicians assistant I saw suggested I try to bike. She herself also rides. Until this point I had been doing indoor arc trainers at the Y. Man is that a boring workout! I bought a friends bike and gave it a try. On uphills my back would get sore but only as long as the hill lasted. This got much better the longer I rode. Riding has actually helped me out more than anything. My legs have gotten much stronger relieving a great deal of stress on my lower back. All this time I had been trying to strengthen my lower back while I also should have been working my leg muscles more. Biking is really great. I can go much further than I ever could when I ran. I just started getting into that groove that I had while running, while biking. I can't explain that one. It's harder to find other bikers than it is to find runners but they are out there. I never looked for training calendars. I just started riding. I guess I should get into some routine. 15 miles a week would definately be no fun. I ran that far on my long day on the weekends when I ran. good luck on your new endeavor. Keep in touch if you would like, I would like to hear how you make out.

I guess it's good to have a Cycling routine eventually, but when I first started riding again my routine was to ride whenever I could, I'd even leave work after lunch and ride along the beach trail or something...I figured as long as I was riding then that was good...before I knew it, I was up to 40 miles...

I had no set program, no HRM...nothing...I just rode...it just takes time, but I found finding the time was the hardest part...

Good luck with your Back, I know just how miserable a back problem can be..only those that have suffered really know!!

dbackmtg said:

Three years ago I had back surgery which completely ended my running. I actually had two surgerys. The first took out 80% of L3 and L4 discs. The second cleaned up the infection I recieved from the first. The second surgery is the one that really f$#!@$ me up. I can't even run a mile without pain. Mind you when I was in rehab I followed their instructions to a tee. I stretch and try to strenghthen my lower back but to no avail. They think the infection reached it's way into my lower back muscle destoying some of it. I guess thats why it never gets stronger. I really do work out like a fiend. Anyway my therapist suggested I not try biking. I believe this is because I told him of my mountain bike adventures. I rode pretty hard. Oh yeah, I also mountain biked before surgery. I sold the bike after rehab ended. Last fall I was in for an appointment for my back, as it had acted up again. The physicians assistant I saw suggested I try to bike. She herself also rides. Until this point I had been doing indoor arc trainers at the Y. Man is that a boring workout! I bought a friends bike and gave it a try. On uphills my back would get sore but only as long as the hill lasted. This got much better the longer I rode. Riding has actually helped me out more than anything. My legs have gotten much stronger relieving a great deal of stress on my lower back. All this time I had been trying to strengthen my lower back while I also should have been working my leg muscles more. Biking is really great. I can go much further than I ever could when I ran. I just started getting into that groove that I had while running, while biking. I can't explain that one. It's harder to find other bikers than it is to find runners but they are out there. I never looked for training calendars. I just started riding. I guess I should get into some routine. 15 miles a week would definately be no fun. I ran that far on my long day on the weekends when I ran. good luck on your new endeavor. Keep in touch if you would like, I would like to hear how you make out.

dbackmtg said:

Three years ago I had back surgery which completely ended my running. I actually had two surgerys. The first took out 80% of L3 and L4 discs. The second cleaned up the infection I recieved from the first. The second surgery is the one that really f$#!@$ me up. I can't even run a mile without pain. Mind you when I was in rehab I followed their instructions to a tee. I stretch and try to strenghthen my lower back but to no avail. They think the infection reached it's way into my lower back muscle destoying some of it. I guess thats why it never gets stronger. I really do work out like a fiend. Anyway my therapist suggested I not try biking. I believe this is because I told him of my mountain bike adventures. I rode pretty hard. Oh yeah, I also mountain biked before surgery. I sold the bike after rehab ended. Last fall I was in for an appointment for my back, as it had acted up again. The physicians assistant I saw suggested I try to bike. She herself also rides. Until this point I had been doing indoor arc trainers at the Y. Man is that a boring workout! I bought a friends bike and gave it a try. On uphills my back would get sore but only as long as the hill lasted. This got much better the longer I rode. Riding has actually helped me out more than anything. My legs have gotten much stronger relieving a great deal of stress on my lower back. All this time I had been trying to strengthen my lower back while I also should have been working my leg muscles more. Biking is really great. I can go much further than I ever could when I ran. I just started getting into that groove that I had while running, while biking. I can't explain that one. It's harder to find other bikers than it is to find runners but they are out there. I never looked for training calendars. I just started riding. I guess I should get into some routine. 15 miles a week would definately be no fun. I ran that far on my long day on the weekends when I ran. good luck on your new endeavor. Keep in touch if you would like, I would like to hear how you make out.

That's awful to hear about the 2nd surgery. I too had 2 surgeries, and my second surgery was a direct result of a problem from the first. I won't go into details, b/c of possible litigation. Since I started I discovered 2 things.

1. I love riding, and I love riding fast! We have a rail to trail that goes between my city and the coast and there are only about 3-4 road crossings for 15.5 miles. It makes a great 31 mile loop. Also, there seems to be an avid group of cyclists in my city so whenever I am out and about there are many friendly faces.

2. I need a new bike. I have a great steel frame that is 15 yrs old and starting to rust. After a driver hit me (my 1st week riding) she ruined my rear wheel. The cost of replacing the set doesn't make sense on a 15 yr old frame with components that would make the wheels incompatible with the new bike I want. (Bianchi Veloce with Campy components)

I too notice that I have some pain climbing hills, but I am no longer waking up in the morning with pain.

[quote="shaunhancock"]That's awful to hear about the 2nd surgery. I too had 2 surgeries, and my second surgery was a direct result of a problem from the first. I won't go into details, b/c of possible litigation. Since I started I discovered 2 things.

1. I love riding, and I love riding fast! We have a rail to trail that goes between my city and the coast and there are only about 3-4 road crossings for 15.5 miles. It makes a great 31 mile loop. Also, there seems to be an avid group of cyclists in my city so whenever I am out and about there are many friendly faces.

2. I need a new bike. I have a great steel frame that is 15 yrs old and starting to rust. After a driver hit me (my 1st week riding) she ruined my rear wheel. The cost of replacing the set doesn't make sense on a 15 yr old frame with components that would make the wheels incompatible with the new bike I want. (Bianchi Veloce with Campy components)

I too notice that I have some pain climbing hills, but I am no longer waking up in the morning with pain.[/QUOE

The bike I bought last fall was a 14 yr. old Diamondback Master TG 62 cm in pink with black splashes. Everyone makes fun of me. It too was a steel frame that is way too big for me, I ride a 53cm bike. It has 105 everything on it and is in exceptional shape. I bought a shorter stem, pulled the bars up and moved the seat all the way forward to make things fit better. Thank goodness I have long arms. The shifters on this bike are on the frame which is a pain in the butt. I was going to change everything but it too would have been a major expence, (The 105 is a seven speed)
This spring I bought a new Raleigh C700, flatbar road bike. I absolutely love it. It is slower downhill but I can keep my same pace on the flats as with the DB. I actually wanted a Jamis Coda Supreme but couldn't justify spending the 1750 on my first real bike. I'm saving for it and should have enough by next year. It is actually a true road bike frame with a flat bar compared to a mountain bike frame with road wheels and gearing like my Raleigh. I'm not complaining about my new bike, I still love it.
Good luck on finding your new bike. Go with what you want and feels good to you. Many people tried to get me to go with a drop bar but I knew what was right for me. Being comfortable on my ride is much more important to me than finishing my ride a couple minutes earlier. By the way I'm not trying to get you to buy a flat bar, I'm just enthusiastic about them. Take care.