Im training for an even later this summer that involves a bit of running.
In my youth, I was somewhat a good runner, being a competitive Junior level triathlete. Sub 40 minute 10 KM runs were normal. Just under 40 was a recovery run. Pushing for a sub 1:20 ½ was typical, etc. Fast forward I left triathlon to return to competitive soccer in university, and remained a competitive player up till just a few years ago. Never really stopped riding, though. Mountain biking and the odd bit of BMX racing stayed in my life.
So, since I started actually training for running in September, Ive only now started to like and appreciate it again. The most difficult part for me is the mind f_ck that comes with returning to training after, literally, 22 years off.Basically, after such a long absence, Im a rookie again, but the problem is, I remember what it once was. Running the same training routes was much faster that is hard to accept. Its hard to accept that now, when I see a hill, I dread it instead of dancing up it. Through the last 22 years, my body has totally changed. I now look like I should be skating up and down the left wing, not running. And my times my god they are so slow!
One thing I have come to appreciate is that this seems to be helping my body reset itself. Soccer, basically, wrecked me for running. Sounds contradicting to say, but soccer specific training is definitely more on the anaerobic side than aerobic, and the injuries that piled up never really left. Mostly, for me, were back issues. I attribute a lot of those to training and playing on artificial turf, as almost all cities have gone that route. Playing on grass became an infrequent treat. For several years late in my life playing at the Premier or Div. 1 level of open mens, vitamin I became a staple, and all that does is mask the pain. Now, though in the past month Ive found I can go out for a 15-20 KM run, and actually feel fine the next day. Granted, the next day does need to be light, but its nice to have that feeling back, whereby the runs are now routine, and my back actually doesnt hurt afterwards. Its taken September through February, of consistent training, to get that feeling back.
Also, to chime in about the does running help cycling more, or vice versa I think the gains begin and end w/ cardiovascular only. I know for certain, late in my playing life when I started supplementing riding for running, instead of running in the offseason to get ready for soccer, it took me way longer to get into the season. Yes, there were fitness benefits, but there was zero muscle memory gained. I also notice that now that I am ramping up my riding mileage, that it feels the same as this time last year, and the year prior, and the year prior but my recovery from a hard effort is much improved.
Anyhow for you guys w/ marathon experience, what are your feelings on mixing in speed days every week? Keeping in mind, like most of you, I have a career and kids I need to manage as well, so its not really feasible to throw down 100 KMs a week more like 40-50.
***Disclaimer: this post is in no way, shape, or form intended to insult anybody, anything, any animal, any lifeform, or non lifeform, or otherwise, of any kind.