Running Less, Cycling More
I have a draft blog post entitled “How to Know When It’s Time to Trade in the Running Shoes for Cycling Shoes.” I started it a couple of years ago during a pity party while sidelined with my ongoing back issue caused by minor disc herniations that love to act up on occasion. My back has been threatening to act up for the last few weeks so I’ve temporarily cut back on my running and greatly increased my time on my bikes.
Even though there was no running this past week, now is not the time to hit publish…
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Cycling: 42 miles
• Average speed: 12.2 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 3,005 feet
• Start time: 9:34 AM
• Location: western Loudoun County
• Weather: 66° and cloudy, climbing to 79° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey
Bill and I returned for the second year to participate in the 40-mile Loudoun 1725 Gravel Grinder (there were also 60 and 80 mile route options). Despite rain in the forecast, we stayed dry while appreciating the cooler temps thanks to cloud coverage for most of the ride. I don’t plan to recap the ride, but if you’d like to read about last year’s fun, you can read that recap here.
Photo credit: Bruce Buckley Photography
Recent heavy rain made the water in Butcher’s Branch on the deeper side, but Bill gave it a try and made it across without wiping out.
Photo credit: Bruce Buckley Photography
I, being of sounder mind and klutzier riding skills decided to carry my bike across…
Photo credit: Bruce Buckley Photography
Monday
Strength training : 1 hour of total body
Tuesday
Walking: 5K
• Average pace: 14:14
• Start time: 7:28 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 74°, cloudy to sunny to cloudy, and humid
• What I wore: shorts, tank, and visor
Cycling: 10 miles
• Average speed: 16.7 MPH
• Bike: Life Fitness spin cycle
• Surface: N/A
• Elevation gain: N/A
• Start time: 8:30 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 68°
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra
Wednesday
Strength training : 1 hour of full body
Gardening: 1 hour
Thursday
Cycling: 42 miles
• Average speed: 14.7 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,276 feet
• Start time: 6:03 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Sterling to Clark’s Gap loop
• Weather: 71° and cloudy, climbing to 76° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey
I met my friend Chuck for an early morning ride on the W&OD Trail. Rain was in the forecast for east of us, but I think most trail users thought we were to get rain because the trail was quite empty. Chuck and I were able to ride side-by-side and chat most of the time.
Gardening: 1 hour
Friday
Strength training : 1 hour of full body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Saturday
Cycling: 33 miles
• Average speed: 12.1 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 2,301 feet
• Start time: 8:57 AM
• Location: western Loudoun County
• Weather: 66° and cloudy, climbing to 68° and sunny with wind gusts of 25 MPH
• What I wore: bike shorts, s/s jersey
After a very hot and extremely humid week, delightfully cool and crisp air moved in overnight leaving me almost chilly at times on our ride. We met friends in Bluemont for a gravel ride on a fantastic course with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Overall, it was a fantastic ride and I felt strong, but those headwinds on the last half, wow!
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
Questions:
- • How much time do you get to spend outside each day?
- • What was your favorite workout of the week?
- • Did you run in a race this weekend?
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Good for you on carrying your bike over that water.
Hope your back starts behaving.
Unfortunately I work all day on the computer. But I’m outside to run and garden.
Yes I ran a fun 5k yesterday.
Thanks, Darlene! My back is starting to feel a lot better, but I usually start running too soon after it feels better so I’m giving it a few more days before running again.
It seems like cycling is such a good backup plan for you! So if you have to give up running…it’s not going to be bad at all.
I try to get outside every day–workdays in the winter make it less appealing, lol. No racing right now–I’m finally recovering from those back to back hard races. It’s nice to just run right now.
Yes, cycling is a great backup plan for running except in the winter. I can go out for a quick 3-mile run no matter how cold it is and easily finish before my first client even if it’s a super early session. With cycling, I’m stuck on my spin bike and I’d rather be outside.
I would have carried my bike across the water as well. Riding in puddles always scared me. I got caught in a huge down pour during the Reston century one year it was so scary! Hope you back feels better this week!
Thanks, Deborah!
Yup, the wind is really whipping out there (still).
Shaking my head at Bill riding through the water!
I’m sorry you’ve had to cut back on running, but it gives you extra time to ride, right? I was spending time outside everyday reading — until this weekend, because it’s downright cold!
I don’t know, but I bet that 50% of the cyclists rode through the water. I want to ride back out there in August when the water is lower (and there’s no photographer) and give it a try. 😉
Your bike carry looks like a victory stance! Yes, I would have carried my bike as well rather than risk tipping (I know my grace and coordination skills, LOL). I hear you on the back issues, though I blame mine on all the gardening this week…probably 10 hours worth for me, all since Wednesday! UGH…I walked this morning, and that was a struggle for the first 10 minutes.
Yep, that what it was, a victory stance. 😉
I hope your back recovers quickly! I’m pretty sure I initially injured my back pulling tree and bush roots out of the ground shortly after we bought this house. It was majorly overly landscaped and needed a lot of “thinning out.”
Wow, you had a great week- three strength sessions and four bike rides! On a week like this, do you miss running? Or are you just absorbed in what you’re doing. I had a client once who told me he used to run but had to stop because of his back. i immediately started to list all the things he could try to get himself back into running- and he had to cut me off and tell me that he didn’t WANT to run anymore, that it just wasn’t worth it to risk his back flaring up, and that he was perfectly happy doing what he was doing (I think he had a Peloton bike.) So now I’m more careful- if someone starts talking about a running injury they can’t seem to overcome, first I ask them if they want to get back into running, or if they’re just as happy without it.
Anyway, i love the picture of Bill riding through the water! He’s brave. Your rides (especially the one near the Blue Ridge Mountains) sound really beautiful.
Thanks, Jenny! As much as I love cycling, I do miss running. I miss the ease of getting up and just heading out of the house for a quick run. It’s quite the production getting ready for a ride with getting all of my gear together, plus I’m out longer on rides than runs so it takes up more of my day.
I’m glad you have cycling in your life Deb! It seems to be a great alternative especially if it doesn’t hurt your back. I don’t think I knew that it was herniated discs that cut your running career short. My mom had some of those and they are painful. 🙁
Great pictures from all your cycling- I would have carried my bike over the water for sure!
Thanks, Jessie! The gravel grinder was fun and it’s always great to get free pictures from course photographers.
Yes, my rather minor bulges/herniations started causing me minor problems many years ago, but it wasn’t until 2011 when I couldn’t finish training for a marathon that I finally got an MRI and diagnosis. Luckily, I was able to run a few halves after I recovered, but at this point I’m not willing to give up running altogether in order to do another half. I’m happily settling for 6-10 miles per week; taking necessary breaks as needed.
Great cycling this week and it looks like beautiful scenery. Sorry your back is acting up but sounds like you are getting in great workouts. I hope the rest from running helps.
Thanks, Michele!
Um. I wouldn’t have crossed that actual river on foot or by bike! What is going on???? In Florida, that would be loaded with snakes, gators and bacteria! Nope!
But great job! I’m sorry running is giving you a hard time right now. I think I remember you talking about this draft post a few years back, and was glad that you weren’t ready to cal it quits just yet. I hope you still have time.
Well, the good news is that we weren’t in Florida so we didn’t have to worry about gators or poisonous snakes. Creek crossings isn’t uncommon in gravel cycling and just adds to the adventure. The water was higher due to recent rain; otherwise, I might have given it a shot.
As for running, I’m not calling it quits and hope to go for a run one day next week.
Wowow on the elevation. I love the look on your face when crossing the water
Yeah, we have some serious hills west of us that we climb regularly.