training - is it very sports specific?

[kieran]

Just asking, as I know I'm not a bad cyclist but we had my children's sports day yesterday and I did terrible in the Dad's race - a short sprint of about 150m I would guess. As I never do any running (jogging or sprinting) I must assume that my cycle training doesn't carry over into running at all. it also hurt my legs!

[David Lombari]

I'm sure those more clued up will come up with a more detailed explanation, Keiran, but it's probably due to your hamstrings being shortened by cycling.

[Andrew G]

If I can remember my PE it can depend on the type of legs you have - i.e. how muscled they are, sprinters or grimpeurs legs? As David says your hamstrings are shortened with cycling but you also develop the muscle above your knee. When running it can be painful as this now developed muscle tends to get a bit of a bashing. I think cycling does develop your muscles in quite a specific way that doesn't tend to lend itself to crossing over in to other sports, although the triathletes out there must have to get round this and can probably shed more light.

[huw williams]

Kieran

Outside of basic cardiovascular fitness, Cycling will do your running absolutely no good whatsoever!

[Toks]

[quote]training - is it very sports specific?

[Snoop Doug]

well now - of course all muscles contract when exercising hence ye need to stretch. I realise that I barely know one end of a bike from another these days but my hamstrings are tight from years of biking. I stretch 'em out every night. Lie on the floor, stick one leg up in the air and straighten it using your hands to support the knee. Keep your foot at right angles to your leg and voila! I do a 2 or 3 mile jog en route to the gym and always do hamstring stretches when I get there. If I had any brains I'd go home rather than push myself to retching point on the rowing machine - hey ho.

Cheers - Snoop

[kieran]

thanks for the replies guys, good to know, now I can explain it to my son! also must remember to build in some training prior to next years sports day! (or am I taking it too seriously )