Going from cycling to running

[DrMekon]

My missus has turned down my request for a 600km audax this year due to family commitments. I might squeeze one in in October, but work might get in the way. A 400km is possibly going to be my only big ride this year, and I don't really need to train for that. Without a goal, I revert to being a lazy slob, so I've signed up for an 50km trail marathon in July - the FV Spartans 50km Ultra. I hesitate to call it an ultra marathon, 'cos it's just an offroad marathon + 5 miles, albeit they'll probably be the hardest 5 miles. Problem I'm having is that I'm getting injured all the time. First of all, my peroneal tendon on my left foot got extraordinarily grumpy about me upping my miles. 6 weeks rest and lots of horrible tool assisted massage / pressure point release fixed that. Now I'm getting IT band pain in the same leg. It's not acute, but if I run a half marathon two days in a row, the day after the left knee is really unhappy, and it takes 3 or 4 days before I can run on it again. The 50km is is 8 weeks time. I'm using one of those grid foam rollers on my leg, plus the cross leg ITB stretches from my physio. I'm doing a bit of ViPR and TRX at the gym to try to improve flexibility / core strength, but I've really got none! What else can I do between now and mid July to get myself ready?

In terms of mileage, I've done consecutive 50 mile weeks, but the furthest I've run in a single go is 14 miles. I know I need to get some longer runs in soon, but I'm a stubborn bugger, so I've no doubt I'll get around - I just want to get around with as little risk of pain/injury as possible. Anyone else gone from cycling to running? Any tips?

[lost in espace]

Hi DrMekon, I am in the marathon in this event. Apparently you have to really keep your eyes open on this ultra to keep on track and not lose your way, that is the only thing that put me off it. If you fancy a long run 20 miles give me a shout, I am in Welwyn.

If you fancy a marathon to warm up the Herts Hobble is cheap and local, Sun 26 June should give you time to recover. I am doing this too.

I did a tri at the weekend, it was quite something to get off the bike after an hour and start running.

[DrMekon]

I'd love to do a marathon first but have a 400 next month, and shirking parenting at the weekend costs me serious brownie points. Doubt I could earn enough between now and then to get away with it.

Hoping I'll be alright on the ultra course, 'cos I'm used to following a track on my GPS for audaxing. I've been out running locally using the GPS for guidance. Other than occasionally finding myself on the wrong side of a stream, it's gone okay. That said, I can see it going awry when I'm tired.

You're not having any problems with running then? Physio and GP mate both reckoned cyclists are prone to it due to tight calves/hamstrings.

[MikeGTi]

DrMekon said:

Physio and GP mate both reckoned cyclists are prone to it due to tight calves/hamstrings.

This - I ended up with a stress fractured fib and syndesmotic (Sp?) sprain when I first started running more, had problems with my ITB too.

Advice? Stretch. A lot. More. Also, may be worth exercises to strengthen your Achilles and calf as cycling doesn't really strengthen them to the level running would require.

[Lanby]

Are you sure you're allowed to use GPS, they are banned from all the long distance events we do (other than for data logging)

[DrMekon]

Ooh, I don't know. I'd assumed they would in that there are GPX files available for previous years.

What events are you doing that don't allow them?

[Lanby]

Most of the events listed in the FRA from memory.

They all insist on the FRA kitlist as well including full body cover, map, compass, food, etc

[DrMekon]

Ah, well this is considerably more wussy than long FRA event, I suspect. It's just a run around paths surrounding Stevenage.

Audaxing is my thing, and I've always used GPS. I would struggle with the navigation side of things. At the end of my first 600, I dropped from 1st to 2nd because I could no longer read my GPS. I'd have been screwed with a map by that point. Hats off to those who can keep their brain working.