Cycling vs running

Just because your friends enjoy it doesn't mean you have to. Try to find some friends or people who enjoy cycling as much as you or just enjoy the time you have alone? But running just like cycling it's no pain no gain in order to get easier but it's all relative because you'll be trying just as hard but you'll just increase your average speeds.

I dont have time to do both but often wish that I do just because as you say running has such little faff. I just need to win the lottery and have a bionic body to combat the signs of ageing!

Posted by: hyper_real

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Do I just need to grit my teeth and do more running and then I'll start to enjoy it more?

Multiple training sessions a week over 3 or 4 years, fitted my cycling in around it, then i switched focus to 100% cycling.

It was a long time ago, but i'd bet on me having enjoyed the ride to and from the track more than the actual running bit.

As with most things you'll enjoy it more if you get better at it, but that means doing it more first....

Where are you running? As a mountain biker road running can be incredibly dull, but so can road cycling. I really enjoy fell running though, I accept that I'm never going to be as good at it as I am on a bike but I like that it can take me to places totally inaccessible by bike. If you live in the Cairngorms or Snowdonia this is great, it's no help whatsoever if you live in the middle of Birmingham. 

I think it does get enjoyable once you get a decent base level of fitness. But the conversion process from cycling is long, slow and painful, in my experience. And then you also need to be running at least twice per week in order to maintain your running legs once you've got them.

Running can be many things, but I'm not sure enjoyable was ever meant to be one of them. It can be satisfying, useful, time efficient, cathartic, meditative or mindful, but never enjoyable.

Make peace with that and either run, or don't run.

I love running. I'm doing that more frequently than riding at the moment, but the first 3km is always crap 😂 It just seems to take me that long to loosen up and get into my stride/comfort zone. Getting past that is probably the key for me. 

I do think that running enjoyment is even more dependent on location than cycling is. I have countless fantastic routes on my doorstep. 

I cycle for enjoyment but run for fitness. Never liked running, still don't and struggle to improve but it is an easy way of keeping fit.

Speaking to a marathon running friend of my wife and he said the most important thing is his weight. When he's in race shape he can run forever but if he gains some weight it makes a huge difference. I'm much too big to ever find running easy!

Running sucks when you aren't very good at it.

You may enjoy it if/when you get better, but no guarantees. I also used to hate running but after a year or two I really came to enjoy it. Part of the advantage over cycling is the fact that it takes less time and less organisation in general.

Running can be many things, but I'm not sure enjoyable was ever meant to be one of them. It can be satisfying, useful, time efficient, cathartic, meditative or mindful, but never enjoyable.

There's some truth in this.

Part of the issue with running when you've come from cycling is, as the OP has mentioned, the fitness doesn't really translate. You come from a good level of cycling fitness and think you can knock out a half decent 5k...and you can't. You're slow and it hurts.

But, over time, it becomes good, trail running particularly is wonderful.

Start off with Couch 2 5k, take it slow, and commit to 2 or 3 runs per week, maybe finishing the course with a trash round you're local parkrun. By that point, you might find you love it.

I've tried but I just find running to be miserable. It feels difficult and my body is begging me to stop the whole time. I can't believe how slowly I'm moving compared to the effort I'm putting in.

I know what you mean. I have never really been a runner but I was determined to give it a go again at the beginning of the year for the very obvious health benefits associated with it. Now every Saturday I do a parkrun and every Wednesday evening I do 60 minutes with a very large local running club.

I am always excited before the run assuming that I will enjoy it, dunno why, then whilst I am running I think to myself "why the **** am I doing this, it is so difficult, unpleasant, and boring", yet after the run I always feel absolutely fantastic, and I then repeat the whole process again the following week.

I did find the very slow pace of progress really quite depressing especially compared to how quickly I feel that I can improve my cycling fitness, but now the two runs per week for five months is starting to show results and my wider health/fitness/weight has improved significantly imo.

And I am starting to enjoy it a bit more as I struggle a little bit less to keep up with the ladies significantly younger than me in my club running group, or at least not hate running quite as much whilst I'm doing it as I did before. It still feels great afterwards.

Do I just need to grit my teeth and do more running and then I'll start to enjoy it more? 

In my limited experience I would say yes. Progress might appear frustratingly slow but it will occur nevertheless, and the health benefits indisputable imo. 

Whoever invented the term "fun run" had clearly never tried it, eh?

I've been running for about five years now, still haven't had one that I actually enjoyed (though it is convenient and I often feel good after).

Sounds like you need to get your pals into biking OP 😉

I think a lot depends on your fitness goals.. I'd say running will burn more calories and be better 'cardio' as you don't have the option of using bicycle gears to your advantage.

But running is pretty hard on the joints, long term compared to pedaling, assuming you know how to use your gears efficiently and your bike is set up correctly.

Cycling all the way for me.. Tu cover a lot more ground so I find it more interesting for things to look at etc.

I don't like running, but I do like having been for a run!

Just to add to my previous comment..... I used to drive to the start of the parkrun and the club runs and then on one particularly cold morning a couple of months ago I pulled a hamstring soon after the start of the parkrun.

Ever since then I have always jogged/walked at my own pace to the start of the park and club runs to warm up first. Both take approximately 15-20 minutes.

This seems to have increased my enjoyment of my runs a little as I feel a bit more "hyped up" for them. Getting out of a car and going from zero to a 12min pace instantly is never going to feel very pleasant, and if you start off thinking "this is shit" you are unlikely to enjoy your run.

I love running, still love riding bikes more though. Needs to be off-road running though, preferably hills. I find tarmac a bit dull after a while.

Like scotroutes above, it takes me a good 3km to get into the groove. Once I find it, I can go for hours. Probably an age thing.

I love a fell race, even though I'm a solid mid-packer who's laughably bad at descending. Find I'm burst at the end of a hill race in a way I never am at the end of a bike race, not sure why.

Running's brilliant in winter when it's horrible and dark outside and the thought of having to clean bike and kit after a midweek evening ride is off-putting.

I'll quite happily listen to music while riding, but never while running. Don't have a sports watch or anything, I just like the simplicity of running with only clothes, shoes and my thoughts.

Wish I had more time available to do more of it. I could do with being independently wealthy. Unless the weather's stinking I'll nearly always choose the bike though.

Running is to Road Biking, what Road Biking is to MTBing.  It's to remind you of how good something else really is.  

A lot of the comments above are great.

My advice to improve enjoyment would be:

Build-up slowly. It's a bit frustrating, but really helps longer term.

Warm-up. Something I rarely do but it makes a big difference. If I'm going for a 'quick' run & really want to do well/test myself/set a time, I will always do a steady jog to get into the groove & gradually wind the pace up.

Longer, slow runs really help with running fitness. And what constitutes a 'long run' is entirely dependent on your fitness level. It should feel 'too slow'.

Get some decent running shoes & use them just for running. You'll knacker them if you use them for gardening, DIY & circuit training as well as running.

I'm the opposite, I enjoy running but my body doesn't! The last time I seriously tried to get into it, got fitted for expensive shoes and insoles, jogged incredibly slowly for what felt like pointlessly small distances, my foot grew an extra bone (technically some ligament calcified) and then broke it just to spite me.

Life's too short to spend time doing things you neither enjoy, or have to do.

I try and get out for a run 1x per week. Not really for fitness but just because it feels like a good thing to do with my body. My tolerance for it is pretty low - after about 30 mins I'm usually wishing I was riding a bike, but I've found a few things that make it more enjoyable for me:

• no metrics. My phone is zipped away in my pocket and I don't wear a watch. This means no thinking about if I'm actually any good at running and more time enjoying my surroundings.
• Parkrun. Just a great atmosphere.
• Stop for dogs. I really like dogs and will usually stop to say hello to them and give them a scritchy scratch. If I've been out longer than usual my wife will usually ask me how many dogs I saw when I get back.

But running is pretty hard on the joints, long term compared to pedaling

There's actually very little evidence of this, if anything the research suggests it makes your joints, particularly knees, stronger.

Running is to Road Biking, what Road Biking is to MTBing.  It's to remind you of how good something else really is.

Road running = Road biking. All about times, performance, going fast. They eat gels, talk about bicarb and lactate thresholds and the good ones look like they need a good feed.

Trail running = Mountain Biking. Can also be about the above, but for most people it's about getting into the countryside and finding sweet singletrack. They stop of cake, have a pint at the end, and put more value in the scenery than the pace. They also often measure a run on elevation and not distance.

Cross Country = Cyclocross. A Sadistic winter ritual in mud and rain that is enjoyed but only a small group of deranged individuals wearing inappropriate clothing. Organised by old, grey men with clipboards and often takes place in strange parks on the edge of industrial estates.

Posted by: hyper_real

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Do I just need to grit my teeth and do more running and then I'll start to enjoy it more?

mmm... to some extent. As in, try different runs (pavement, woods, hills, etc); maybe try different distances, and give it a month or two. If at the end of that you still don't enjoy it, maybe it's not for you - and that's fine! And you're absolutely right - running effing hurts to get into, even if you're cycling-fit - aching legs, sore back, tight muscles, etc. It does get a little less painful with practice. 

FWIW, I grew up running, mainly up hills and through forests, and always did it because it's just there; but MTBing is what I really enjoy. And after various marathons, halves etc I realised I didn't enjoy most running; and just kinda did it to stay somewhat healthy. 

Now I'm lucky to live somewhere by a beach, hills and countryside; and do a weekly run just to not get fat. But it'll never compete with MTB as a sport I actually love doing. 

Just remembered this Guardian article I read a while ago, seems a nice way to build up distance without wrecking yourself?

Posted by: steezysix

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Just remembered this Guardian article I read a while ago, seems a nice way to build up distance without wrecking yourself?

Thanks for that, useful 🙂 

I started running as a lockdown thing. Was quite tough and a bit dull to start. I now run regularly. I still find running round town a bit dull but it takes very little time or effort. Basically get up, throw on some running kit, run, come home, shower and have breakfast, start day. 

What I do enjoy though is running somewhere else. Whenever I travel for work or holiday then I'll a plan a run. If it's in town take in the interesting sights. If it's in the countryside then a nice scenic route. Best is by the seaside. Clifftop or on the beach is glorious. I also use it as transport. Need something from Screwfix then it's a 5k run round trip. Or if the wife is doing something in town, run in, hang out, come home together. Surprisingly useful and fast compared to more conventional means of transport. 

Loved running, it was the perfect thing when I worked away ,and it kept me out of the bar. 😉 

I never ran with people though (or clubs),the main thing (for me)was using it to keep a level of fitness and to wind down after work.

As I got more into it I started doing some events and got properly hooked. Half marathons were my fav,a great distance for me and I really enjoyed them.

Also as said above,the first few miles out the door never get easy,but I never,ever came back from a run thinking "I wish I hadn't bothered with that",and those runs where you are at a perfect pace,and feel you could run forever, they are a strange and beautiful thing 👍 😀 😀

You just need to get a different running buddy.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/for-75-years-runners-have-raced-in-colorado-tethered-to-donkeys-180984523/

I started with cycling and then moved to running as the novelty and tedium of cycling kicked in.

These days I cannot run so its back to bikes. Its like a 2nd wind with bikes, but I do miss the freedom of running ie the absolute lack of faff needed or travelling etc.

I never liked road running or cross country its just dull and boring, but I guess 'fell running' was what I enjoyed, but that could be anything from just running nice flat singletrack sections to full on running / scrambling up 3,000ft + peaks. Also you can be almost anywhere in the world and so long as you have some trainers you can get out and feel better.

I try to get some running in to balance things out but I find its somewhat counterproductive in terms of injury and I am on the side of not enjoying it.

Even running in woods etc I find it far less enjoyable than either mountain biking or just walking since then I can stop and look at tracks etc.

Road running sucks donkey ballz, mountain/fell running is da nutz

I love riding. Probably a bit obsessed about it really.

I really like running, but I don't love it  I used to. Discovered trail/fell running in my mid-30s. And then, in my early 40s, got into riding properly and since then, running has always been second choice.

I still run regularly-ish, once every 5-10 days usually, which at 57 years old, is not quite regularly enough for it to not feel like hard work and leaving me achy and stiff in a way that cycling rarely does; really, I need to be running twice a week I reckon.

Road running (much like road riding) can get in the sea. Trails, woods, moors, fells, mountains, coasts is what makes running pleasurable for me.

I like the simplicity of it. In winter, when the roads, gravel and trails are muddy shite, it's great to get out and just splash about through the muddy puddly woods whereas riding in those conditions can be a chore. And it's efficient / good bang-for-buck fitness/fresh air exercise; 30-60 minutes is a good workout, and can be fitted into eg a lunchtime window, whereas I'll often not bother riding unless I've got at least 90 minutes free.

I reckon it's worth persevering with. Do a C25k, or give it eg 2-3 months of running little and often and gradually building it up; that'll give you enough fitness to get over that initial "this just feels like hard work" to see whether it's something you could come to enjoy.

I'm 8 sessions into couch to 5k and feeling an improvement already. My goal is to do a park run with my son and daughter in law. When I say "with" I mean start at the same time as them.

Posted by: hardtailonly

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Road running (much like road riding) can get in the sea. Trails, woods, moors, fells, mountains, coasts is what makes running pleasurable for me.

I like the simplicity of it. In winter, when the roads, gravel and trails are muddy shite, it's great to get out and just splash about through the muddy puddly woods whereas riding in those conditions can be a chore. And it's efficient / good bang-for-buck fitness/fresh air exercise; 30-60 minutes is a good workout, and can be fitted into eg a lunchtime window, whereas I'll often not bother riding unless I've got at least 90 minutes free

I agree with a lot of this. An hour of running is (according to Garmin) c1000 calories, which is basically most of another dinner you can have, just for 60 minutes of running. Bargain! 

Posted by: nicko74

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Posted by: hardtailonly

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Road running (much like road riding) can get in the sea. Trails, woods, moors, fells, mountains, coasts is what makes running pleasurable for me.

I like the simplicity of it. In winter, when the roads, gravel and trails are muddy shite, it's great to get out and just splash about through the muddy puddly woods whereas riding in those conditions can be a chore. And it's efficient / good bang-for-buck fitness/fresh air exercise; 30-60 minutes is a good workout, and can be fitted into eg a lunchtime window, whereas I'll often not bother riding unless I've got at least 90 minutes free

I agree with a lot of this. An hour of running is (according to Garmin) c1000 calories, which is basically most of another dinner you can have, just for 60 minutes of running. Bargain! 

Definitely...its such a pure sport, totally unreliant on tech or others to make it happen.  My knees were struggling back in 2007, which is when my knee surgeon suggested I give it up.  So whilst MTB gets me out there....its not the same and I still miss it.

I love running. I think the reason a lot of people hate it is that at first it’s essentially just boring and painful. After you build fitness though it can be enjoyable in a zen kind of way. 

Like others have said, the key I think is to mix it up. Trail/fell and road running, I also do track intervals with my local Tri club which are different again.

Even just mixing up interval sessions keeps it interesting for me- I tend to keep earphones off for hill reps or fast intervals and then for slow long runs I have my earphones on and just zone out. 

I hate faffing around though, so I’ll admit that a big attraction for me is the simplicity of just putting my shoes on and going. It’s just no contest for me on a cold, wet December morning, compared to putting on shitloads of cycling clothes, overshoes, packing food and then cleaning all the mulch off my bike at the end. 

This was yesterday’s run - Ben More from Ben Fhada, a Coich route - TBH there wasn’t much running here, just getting one foot in front of the other! 15km, 1800m ascent 

I used to detest running, so I know where you're coming from. Then I discovered fell running (when I hadn't paid for enough parking - true story) and it started to change the way I look at running, and these days I run pretty regularly.

Others have have alluded to this, but I wonder if basically it comes down to where you run? If you're biking is sweet singletrack in nice woodland, and your running with your mates is round the local park or, god forbid, the pavements, perhaps it's not the activity but the location that's off-putting.

If your running is more urban, maybe suggest to your friends trying somewhere new and finding somewhere more interesting to run. Doesn't have to be mega hilly rocky fells, but somewhere you enjoy being for its own sake.

I'm reluctant to get in the car to go for a run, but this last winter I've realised the importance of getting out of the city when I have the opportunity and have found a few places that are within half an hour where I feel like I'm really in the country. Of course, where you live will determine whether that's even an issue for you and how much.

I hate faffing around though, so I’ll admit that a big attraction for me is the simplicity of just putting my shoes on and going. It’s just no contest for me on a cold, wet December morning, compared to putting on shitloads of cycling clothes, overshoes, packing food and then cleaning all the mulch off my bike at the end. 

Same for me, running in bad weather is so much better than cycling in it for me. I think the big thing for me is I don't get cold running whereas on the bike I do

here's my very unscientific take...

running you have basically one "gear". Yes you can exceed it for a short sprint, and go below it for a gentle jog but your basic aerobic sustainable pace is essentially the same constant effort and heartrate.

and if you are used to bikes, especially mtb but road riding either on hills and or with a group, you get much more variation and micro recoveries.

I'm just getting back into running. 10 years ago I ran three times a week, but could never do road or flat runs. Then I needed to do some training for a big event and decided to ride a bit as part of training (1h 30 commute each way). Ended up getting into mtb a d only running when the weather and tracks were too bad for riding.

Now I'm enjoying it again and hoping to get my pace back up a bit. I'd say my av bpm is ~25 higher when running and fairly steady. It is helping me maintain higher intensity when I ride.

Tuesday's run...also with some steep walky bits.

Posted by: ayjaydoubleyou

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here's my very unscientific take...

running you have basically one "gear". Yes you can exceed it for a short sprint, and go below it for a gentle jog but your basic aerobic sustainable pace is essentially the same constant effort and heartrate.

and if you are used to bikes, especially mtb but road riding either on hills and or with a group, you get much more variation and micro recoveries.

Yup, very much this, and for more of an interval training effect ride single speed!

I used to be into running, went mountain biking exactly once, then immediately ditched running (as a "main" sport) for ever. There's just no comparison for me in terms of the intrinsic enjoyment. Don't get me wrong, I still run in occasion - I used to race (well, participate) in the winter off-road duathlon series they used to hold at Glentress (think it still exists elsewhere in some form?). The running sections were much more akin to fell-running and more "enjoyable" for that. Maybe rope your mates into something similar if it exists in your neck of the woods?

I find that another drawback for running is the likelihood of injury, just from doing it. With MTB and strength training, I tend only to get injured when I **** up.

I run cos I have to! Chasing 16 year olds around a field* would be very very difficult if I didn't keep my running fitness up!

That said, I don't mind it, it causes me pain, but if I don't get a run in in the week, I really miss it and feel fat, even if I've been out on the bike (I commute into work too). 

*I referee rugby and them 16yos are FAST. 🙂

i've always been a 'running aint for me', then a few years ago a friend roped me into a parkrun and i havent stopped since. Must've started when i was 40? or 41. Now 44.

Go through periods of doing it more than other times, but always try parkrun (hit 100 at the start of this year) and fit in another run mid week. Done a few events, like 10ks and the London Landmarks Half for the last 3 years. I am happy to pound pavement, as i always get this thrill of how simple and basic it is. The only way to cover ground is you. no free wheeling.

But, i do see running as a social event, a way to see my mates. I do struggle to go out on my own.

I've always been told, you never regret a run, and i dont think i can fault that. it might suck at the time, but after, you feel good for it (or i always seem to).

Although not sure when i will be running again, as just broke my leg just below the knee... doh!

Running doesn't suck. It's running and trying to go at a competitive pace that sucks. Why not simply enjoy the run rather than think about pace, walk when you have to, sprint when you feel the urge, but just keep ploughing on at a speed you can easily sustain.