Question: I was wondering if any of the folks here had comments or resource
suggestions on a more cycling-centric training program for completing a
marathon?
Answer:
Fall is turning into winter here in Minneapolis. I found using a trainer
rather dull last winter, so this time I've decided to take up running to
stay in shape over the winter. This led me to think about perhaps running
a marathon next fall.
The twist is that I prefer cycling to running, and all the marathon
training I've read about is (as one might expect) very running-centric. I
was wondering if any of the folks here had comments or resource
suggestions on a more cycling-centric training program for completing a
marathon?
I've done two marathons in the past, and have been a runner for
something like 25yrs.
The issue with the marathon is acclimating your body to the brutal
pounding it will have to endure for hours on end--something that
cycling, blissfully, doesn't subject your body to.
You'd certainly be able to build up the cardiovascular capacity to run
the 26.2 via cycling, but I think you'd be in pretty sore shape by the
halfway point if you don't follow a running-centric marathon training
regimen.
I think you can effectively use cycling for to help a little with your
aerobic base for a lot of running distances. And aerobic is certainly a
major component of the marathon, but unlike other shorter distances,
there's also the sheer volume of pavement pounding that you have to
prepare your body for. There are horror stories about people doing
regular marathon training programs on softer surfaces like trails or
treadmills, and then busting ligaments when they try to put it all
together on the concrete for 26.2 miles.
If you were to carry through with it, you might be able to get away with
substituting bike workouts for some of your easy/recovery runs during
the week, and focusing your runs on the quality miles: tempo runs,
lactic threshhold intervals, and the ever-popular LSD (long slow
distance). It also might not be as pretty of a race as if you did a more
ideal training schedule, but you'd probably muddle through. Ironman
folks would probably be good people to ask about how it feels to run a
marathon with less run-specific training than most marathoners, and how
to go about it. I don't know if Mike "Iron Penguin" Tennent posts on any
of the bike NGs, but he does or did frequent rec.running, as did a
couple of other tri-atheletes.
That said, would it not make more sense to train for a duathlon (or toss
in the swim component and do a tri)? You could get your "I exterted
myself to the limit for X hours, and all I got was this stupid" t-shirt,
without having to train to run 26.2 miles if you don't really like to
run much.
You could look into triathalon training and skip the swimming.
However, cycling and running don't really work the same muscles
in the same way. Cycling will build your basic aerobic endurance,
but that's only half the battle. Specific training is always
important. A useful analogy is that cycling will strengthen
your engine but weaken your transmission.
The one thing I would not recommend is substituting a long
bike ride for the weekly long run included in most marathon
training plans. For the person just looking to finish a marathon
a lot of the training is not really physical, but mental.
Learning how your body reacts to long runs, when to drink,
how to pace your self, getting a better idea of what to
expect in the last 6 miles.
I like that analogy, "cycling will strengthen your engine but weaken your
transmission." As a two time marathoner I have found that nothing prepares
a runner for the marathon distance than long runs. By long runs I'm talking
about those approaching, equaling, or slightly over 20 miles. Unless you
are a really extraordinary athlete bicycling will not prepare your legs for
26 miles of running. I do think that you could substitute bicycling for
running on some days but not substitute bicycling for your long runs.
I'm not sure about doing a marathon, but I did a half marathon a
couple years ago. My wife works with quite a few avid runners, and
they talked the two of us into doing it (the Grand Canyon
Marathon/Half Marathon). At ~7,000 feet IIRC, and over some
impressive hills and even some lengthy gravel sections.
At any rate, on the way up we were all chatting about the race, and
they asked me how much I had been training.
"Oh, I've run 14.2 miles in the last two years". Stunned silence.
Who was going to break it to the hopelessly naive cyclist that he was
about to die?
I assured them that I used to run, and that I wouldn't die. I don't
think they believed me.
