News flash - I got a new bike! Can you tell I’m excited? Thanks to FitMom and Michael B (twitter link) - both of whom know a great deal more about bikes than I do - for giving me ideas on what to look for as I was trying to find the right one.
I got the bike on Saturday, and so far, it’s been a fun-filled few days. Saturday I took it on a tour of the neighborhood - about 9 miles or so. Sunday, I dragged my husband out with me for another 10. Yesterday, inspired by Eric at Stubborn Running, I tried commuting on it. I rode it to the park ‘n ride, which is about 5 miles each way, and took the bus the rest of the way. The ride itself went well. The hardest part was actually fitting all the stuff I wanted to take with me (change of clothes, laptop, lunch, etc.) into my backpack. So, now I’m in the market for a new backpack. I’m thinking about this one from Pearl Izumi - does anyone have any other suggestions?
Today I had an incident much like the one Eric had on his first attempt at commuting - I got a flat while out running errands. Fortunately, I had asked the guy I bought the bike from for a demonstration of how to fix a flat since I’d never done it before. Unfortunately, I didn’t pay as close attention as I thought I had because I didn’t quite get it right. However, (back again to fortunately), the flat happened while I was only about a half a block from a bike shop, and they helped me out. Next time, I’ll definitely be able to change the tube myself.
I realize that this is been a long and rambling post - but here’s where I try to tie it in to the title. Although I didn’t feel sore on this morning’s run, my legs seemed to be a lot more sluggish than usual on the first half, even though I hadn’t run since Saturday. So, here are my questions:
- Do you think commuting by bike and other easy bike rides counts as cross training?
- And if you cycle, how do you fit it into your schedule so it doesn’t negatively impact your running workouts?
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, it definitely counts as cross training. It’s also a lot more fun than driving!
It takes me about an 45 minutes to an hour to ride to work, and another 45-60 to ride home, so I generally do it on days that I don’t want to be running. If I do run, then it is usually just a few easy miles when I get home in the evening.
As for fitting it in with running, it’s a great replacement for a scheduled easy run.
@Blaine - good advice Blaine - fitting it in with or instead of an easy run sounds like the way to go. And I agree - it is more fun, and a whole lot more relaxing, than driving.
XT on days when you have scheduled easy runs. Make sure you are rested for the hard running days.
Leave stuff home or at work so you don’t have to haul so much. My hubby leaves a change of clothes at work for the next days commute and so only carries his lunch. Hauling a lot of stuff on your back can be not so fun. You can always get those cool paniers for the back of the bike.
It does in my books! My only problem is that going TO work I have to take it easy b/c we don’t have a shower at work & I don’t want to be nasty the whole day. I bust a move on the ride home, though. It’s about 7 miles each way.
@Rachel - panniers are not an option - my bike has carbon stays so they are not recommended. I could leave some stuff at work, but my laptop needs to go back and forth most days because I rotate working in the office and working at home and it’s my only work computer.
@Topher - no shower at work for me either - so I’m going to have to go slow so as not to offend my officemates.
@Topher and @kch - leave a couple of hand towels at work and a small bottle of soap. I leave those with a change of clothes and a pair of shoes in a backpack under my desk (my bike has clipless pedals and I don’t want to wear my bike shoes all day.)
When I get in, I grab the backpack, drop my lunch off in the fridge (if I didn’t bring in two lunches the day before) and then go to the rest room to change. After getting out of the sweaty biking clothes, I give myself a quick sponge bath with the hand towel, soap and some water, then dry off with the other hand towel. A little deodorant masks any lingering scent. I’ve never once had a complaint, and the people I work with are not shy about pointing out when you stink (a few people have been sent home to shower before.)
I’ve been bike commuting for several weeks now. My commute is only 4 miles each way so I’ve not changed anything with my training schedule. I’ve tried to switch up my riding style though so that on a harder running day I might ride slower/at an easier cadence. But I also stared biking during an easy part of my training schedule and will see how things progress as my mileage increases.
So on an actual cross-training day I would hit the bike hard and long or swim instead of counting my short commute.
Good Questions!
@Blaine Moore - Thanks for the commuting tips.
@crossn81 - I was thinking along the same lines you are - that if I’m doing the commute at an easy cadence, I shouldn’t necessarily count it as cross training. My commute is only about 5 mi each way. Maybe on an “actual” cross-training day I’ll do the ride home at a faster pace, drop whatever stuff I have at home, then continue the ride.
I guess I’ll just have to see how I feel as I continue biking more, and adjust my schedule accordingly.
I love commuting on my bike! I did it all last summer, and just started again. I have saddle bags, because there’s no way I could go that much with a backpack (1.25 hours each way). But I also bike to the YMCA, shower, and ride the last couple of blocks to work in my work clothes. Enjoy!! It’s so super fun. And lets you destress after work before you walk through the doors at home!
@Sarah - wow, that’s an ambitious commute! I think if I biked all the way to work instead of just to at park ‘n ride, mine would probably be about that long - but I don’t think there’s really a safe path that would get me all the way there. You’re fortunate!
now that is one pretty machine….i thoroughly believe the bike commute is XT. i even believe walking around the office, to starbucks, blah, blah, blah is XT. put a pedometer on and try to reach 10k steps a day…it’s way harder than i thought it would be…but wearing it makes me want to walk more. cheers. see you on twitter/plurk.
@michael b - I’ve thought about the pedometer thing, but haven’t tried it out yet. One of my friends at work does it though and she thinks it really helps her make sure she’s moving enough during the day.
Hey nice machine. Sorry to hear about your f*** (I don’t ever say it out loud :0) but now you’re probably well stocked on CO2 and tubes, right? As far as avoiding negative impacts on running I keep my long running day and long biking days 3 to 4 days apart but then have specific bike/run days during the rest of the week. Seems to work out ok.
@Jim - yep, stocked on up co2 and tubes. I’m hoping I won’t need either again any time soon.
Congrats on your new bike. I just love mine and find it to be a great way to cross train (and save money on gas!).
Thanks for another great post!
Sandy
man I ASPIRE to be you.
well, first I need to get the bike but THEN I need to lose my fear of traffic…
@Sandy - thanks, I’m really enjoying it. On the days I commute with it, it actually makes me look forward to the commute.
@MizFit - the traffic can be a little scary at first, but it’s not so bad if you can find a decent route. You do need to keep fully tuned in to what you’re doing though - IMO, it’s not the time to be using your iPod like I see so many people doing.