Originally Posted by deacon mark

I hope my story helps as I am a long-time runner of now 42 years but there is a catch about the last 2 or 3 years not done any real serious runs. I have over 85,000 miles running in my logbooks dating back to 1985. In my peak years of running from age 29-36 I was averaging over 3000 miles a year running. I have also ridden a bike all my life but did not cycle much until about 1992 bought a road bike and road off and on. It was a way to cross train if hurting and just a break.

Now fast forward to 2008 I decided at getting close to 50 to put some time on the bike realizing running huge mileage was not going to happen due to aging. Also I have never been real fast my best 10k is 38 minutes and 3:06 marathon but respectable and I was consistent. So starting riding maybe 1500 to up to 2000 miles a year after that and dropping off running but still around 30-40 weekly miles running. Then I developed Runner's Dystonia about 10 years ago and it has progressed to I can sometimes run but very little. I can walk ok although I am not graceful, I get the job done. Runner's dystonia is not an injury and as such does not progress but in effect the brain and body has forgotten how to run. Without going into any detail just look it up and it is rare but not fatal just no real cure at all. Nothing hurts or actually causes a problem but I just cannot tandem run except once in a while things go together and I get up a stride.

So the bike and cycling has become for me a saving activity and I am so grateful to the Lord. It has no effect on my cycling and I can ride all I want and do just fine. The difference is walking I cannot get my heart rate up much as I am a long-time endurance person so conditioned. On the bike though I can get my heart rate up because I can cycle like anyone else and fast you turn the cranks the higher the HR. I have gradually worked up over the last 7-9 years cycling mileage and averaging 5000 thousand miles a year. Well I retired 4 years ago and along with COVID I have been riding now about 10,000 miles a year. I ride pretty much year around. I also became a bike mechanic and wheel builder at least for myself and some others who call on me.

So now the difference between running and cycling. I hate to break to anyone but other than the endurance aspect they are completely different. I can ride hard and long day after day without the pounding of running. If I were to go out and run a hard 8 mile run even when I was in top running shape that required, some recovery and a much different approach the next day. I could do 100 mile rides even relatively fast within days of each other. I could even do an all-out 100 for time and recover within a week. Not with running at all. An all-out marathon I could only do 2 a year. The pounding of running a marathon is nothing a bike ride will have. The only difference is a crash on the bike can be serious and even fatal. Running probably does not have the kind of risk unless something really goes wrong.

I don't race and at 61 I just enjoy being out and being active. Cycling has been so good for that and while it is not running it willl have to do. I still try and run a bit and walk especially more in winter when I use indoor trainer. I got the cycling bug and what a joy. Oh would i love to go out and run a 45 minute 5 mile run or even 55 minutes. but I cannot. However cycling has shown me things and places that running could never touch. Cycle, Run, walk, and even a swim is good. It makes the beer, pizzia and donuts taste better.

The deacon will stop preaching.