CYCLING FOR RUNNERS - GET FIT, RECOVER QUICK & RUN FASTER!

There are so many benefits you can get by cycling to help your running.. here's my super quick and easy guide to get going, what to do and some tops tips I've learnt while in the saddle.
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#gettingitdone #benparkes #zwift

[@SethJamesDeMoor]

Get it Ben! You are staying positive as we all can see through your videos, and that makes all the difference through injury. Onward and upward through the highs and lows we runners endure. Cheers from across the pond. 🇺🇸🇬🇧 🇺🇸🇬🇧 🇺🇸🇬🇧 🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@BenParkes]

As soon as this is all over we need to get together for a colab! Due a trip to Boulder / Denver soon.. so hope to see you. Awesome job on the 50 miles! 🙌🙌🙌

[@fincolverson-martin4972]

Seth James DeMoor as a subscriber of both off you I can’t wait for this🙃

[@alexanderparsons4862]

Seth James DeMoor let’s gooooo Seth, good work on your 80k yesterday, quality job done

[@theorb21]

Legends

[@mastroiannisteve]

So cool to see you on Ben's channel! Way to go on the 50 miles...you are so inspiring!

[@Petermaguire3684]

I do alot of this. Cycling without a doubt makes you a fitter and faster runner. At one time I was doing 100 kms running per week and 75 km's on the bike. It made the biggest impact on realizing my PR in the half marathon. I was so fit the race felt like a 10 k.

[@sebastianbolt6905]

Fabulous!!!👍🏼🏃🏾‍♂️

[@toniapage9730]

Awesome. I’ve been on Zwift just over a year now and love it. Also do lots of my running too. Love the community as you say.

[@Skip_Carter]

Great video, keep the great work going. Thank you for all the inspiration, and motivation. God Bless you all, and your families Mate.

[@amboshable]

Awesome video Ben. I startted zwifting a month ago during 2 weeks iso and have loved it. Great break for running and have continued with a couple of rides a week since ramping up the running again. Even now swapping my SLR each fortnight with a long ride. Great fun. Havent really felt the benefits to running yet but expect I will feel stronger soon. Keep up the good work and stay positive mate. Love your vids

[@gurya]

I started with cycling first using kickr core. Then went onto running. Using zwift for both and loving it. Running has definitely made me a stronger cyclist.

[@Wizardscobra]

Love my wahoo kickr that I got fo Christmas. Has really helped my legs on recovery days. Best investment for me being a triathlete also. I can get my training in even on the poor weather days.

[@amazanto]

Thanks for the tips, Ben! I’ve got a stationary bike, not the best option but at least I am able to cycle everyday. Love from Italy, keep it up!

[@charliewalker1220]

Great advice. Using my Kickr to recover from PCL injury and strengthen the knee. Hopefully be back running by time we are allowed out again 😀

[@Mockie007]

I’ve been battling peroneal issues for a year now, cycling is the only cardio I can do that doesn’t flare it up. I’ve fallen in love with Zwift (Mel De from Australia). Especially good now that we are coming into winter I can still ride indoors!

[@foy_boy11]

Good video Ben. I’ve been on Zwift since December. Best thing I ever bought. Has improved my leg strength no end. See you out there. 👍

[@geraintjones2180]

I find it good to mix up the training, so bought a road bike last year after I kept suffering from Achilles problems when out running. Now I split my time between road running and going out on the bike. It's helped me reduce my foot problems and I have been able to increase my running distances and pace significantly as a result. I was going to do my first Duathlon in March but that will have to wait. Good to see you back training and hope the leg is ok.

[@markpartain6516]

I got to ride with you for a few minutes the other day on Zwift. Cool way to bring the world together when everything is closed down.

[@quiveringbadgergaming4881]

Cycling for me means I’m injured and can’t run lol

[@vpsway6681]

Same

[@Oscarsrunning]

Brilliant video Ben, will have to buy myself a Wattbike at some point, to use on zwift as well as my treadmill! Thanks for the idea😀!

[@taylor1991]

That Wattbike atom is part of my dream home gym setup. Amazing bit of kit

[@BenParkes]

Feel very lucky to have it right now! All the best Simon!

[@danielstorry5133]

Great videos as always, Ben. Good to see getting in on a few now. I'd like to see some videos for any workouts us runners can be doing at home, yoga, strength work etc. Intetested to know what you've been doing most days and what sarah does to accommodate her running! 👍

[@alij9599]

Hi Ben. I gave a dumb trainer + wahoo cadence and speed sensors. Connected up to zwift about 3 weeks ago and following a build me up programme. Tried my 1st race this morning with a short 4k blast in central park. All good fun and can feel the benefits, weight loss and on the couple of outdoor runs I've done. Only about 8 weeks on this programme to go. Going to try a time trial soon.

[@masonmmjmu]

This is great thank you! I'm prone to injury, so I like to add in indoor biking between running sessions during the week to continue working on that aerobic capacity without the high impact of running. Do you have any tips for someone trying to simulate the zone 2 training on the bike versus long runs?

[@CarlosGarcia-om5mw]

It is great to see you cycling.

[@AliceOnARun]

Just thought I’d say about peloton - you can still use their service and do all the classes without the £2,000 bike. I use a spin bike (£100 secondhand) and added a cadence sensor (£30 from a cycle shop) and it works as if you have the full bike. App-only is £13 a month so quite cheap.

[@TheDangerousKid]

Alice On A Run I do this myself. Of course I’d love one but if you can make do without knowing the exact resistance/cadence it still is an awesome app. I’ve used the running classes on my treadmill for well over a year now and it was that that got me into running

[@tristanliggett4088]

I’ve found that mountain biking is a great and fun way to strengthen your legs and like you said, get a workout in similar to running but without as much of an impact.

[@AspiringRunners]

Hey Ben, love the vid. I found cycling is no substitute but a great complement for running. During lockdown used only cycling for patellofemoral pain rehab (not much fun whilst trying to run and film for a new YT channel!), managed to get a PB for the 10 mile TT on the turbo trainer (alas yet to get 'Evens', though getting closer). Crikey even with movies, it's dull, but helps mental discipline. Found now that I can get out to carefully run again that the cycling has done little to help; or maybe it had just stopped me from sliding further off the fitness hill!

[@dm3898]

Group zwift session sounds good, just started on the bike to compliment training during lockdown but know nobody out there!

[@arock264]

I am on Zwift. I use a Kurt kinetic trainer with my road bike. This is my go to whenever I can’t run.

[@brynnmccallum5445]

awesome to see Ben Parkes love to know what you get for an FTP test on zwift if your planning on doing one!!!!!

[@BenParkes]

As soon as I'm back to normal, then I'll do one for sure!

[@marklee8284]

Great video again Ben. Currently following a plan where I run alternate days[5k plan] & biking on Zwift the other days, following a FTP 12 week plan, very much interval based on power output.Hope you are back running soon.

[@BenParkes]

Sounds fun Mark!! Good to have that variety in your training.. will really help in the long term. Good luck with the plan!

[@beltransuarez4941]

Ben send u love from 🇪🇸, but seriously I will try to brake 2:25 in Valencia so be ready, cheers man

[@BenParkes]

See you in Valencia!!!

[@runningwithmymind4638]

I had a good, budget Zwift set up. iPhone and a Wahoo Blue speed and cadence sensor strapped onto a spin bike in the gym. This was my system in the ‘before times’! 😂 I miss my gym 😻

[@Louis_The_Fly]

Hi Ben, great video!!! I only really started running just over 4 months ago(your videos have helped a lot!!!) and I've done 2 marathons and 1 half marathon since, and lately I've been having trouble with my right knee..I'm guessing it might be overtraining. Anyway, since we here in South Africa are currently under lockdown I've been forced into not running at all, which is probably a good thing for my knee. I got an Tacx Flux from my brother and hooked it up to a road bike covered in dust because it wasn't being used at all. And to get to my point, I have noticed that using the Zwift training plans work great for overall cardio and gives the muscles a great workout as well without putting strain on my knees! And you can do very precise training(I find it sometimes difficult when I'm running to follow a set exercise). So I think indoor cycling is absolutely great for training and maintaining fitness. #gettingitdone

[@billflu]

Zwift runner here. It’s free for running (for now). The Stryd footpod is perfect for this setup.

[@jamiexavier6654]

Sadly am a fair weather cyclist Ben so when the sun comes out so does the bike - but only use it for commuting but with working from home just doing rides near the home on my trusty steed. Looked at a getting a turbo trainer but they are out of stock everywhere! Hope the recovery is going well....keep safe and healthy take care.

[@roydos949]

Starting cycling also opens up a new world for competing in duathlons which are great fun, put in a swim and your all set for triathlons.

[@JHornsby89]

Injuries myself last year Sept, had a marathon in Dec so I did 2 months of zwift (a lot of time in the saddle ) and 4 weeks in Nov running (4 hours, still lots of cycling). Ran a 24 min pb for 3:15 marathon. 😁 I love cycling, although running is always first!

[@andrew1lee]

Used to cycle mainly, then started doing a bit of running. Now I'm doing a lot more running, but started cycling again. Didn't realise how much I missed cycling.

[@eoincasey5461]

I've been running on Zwift for the past 3 years, makes time on the treadmill fly by.

[@ashdanga]

Get into duathlons when you get back running. Good luck with the continued recovery.

[@abernardes2]

Hi Ben ! Have you ever heard of the concept of “ Jerry mile” running log system? You don’t track your run using GPS miles, you run by time according to what your body feels like doing and then you count every 7 min ( man) = 1 mile and 8 min ( woman) = 1 miles regardless of how fast or slow you were. Couldn’t find much about it but it seems to aim to take pressure of distance covered and try to concentrate more in time on your feet.

[@Sam-ss5hd]

Great content as usual, Ben. I just sprained my ankle unfortunately. Been running every day of lockdown and it's been my life line. What to do??! 😔

[@davidziv2003]

Hi Ben Glad to see you get well And also manages to keep fit A question about fitness bikes, do we have runners during this time fitness bikes Give a solution? Thanks and lots of health.

[@joetruelove2770]

Hi Ben. I cycle to work and back daily. 10k each way- into work is flat with some downhill sections, coming home is uphill and a tough workout. It's really helped my fitness. With Covid I'm working at home so doing some hill sessions or easy rides alternating between my running days.

[@krishnachaitanya7674]

Wow 10k each side 5 days a week is crazy. How does your body react to it? Isn’t it making you loose your strength and weight beyond the healthy levels?

[@19Vxc76]

Running is my sport, and I cicle to commute 😉👍

[@fariqazaha6321]

I bought an indoor bike setup with interactive rollers off a recurring ankle injury in November. I started Zwifting regularly during the Covid19 lockdown. Now I can’t stop thinking about going for another ride on the bike everyday. That said, if you want to improve as a runner, you’ll have to do running. Of course, cycling will help at some point. For me, cycling is more about muscular endurance rather than cardio endurance. A Z2 long ride of 3 hours would normally end you burning your upper legs quicker if you’re on a low cadence/up the hills etc. Nevertheless it is really fun to cycle and would absolutely be my choice during my downtime.

[@nixpix814]

You already have a fan, me.

[@ehbaprae]

Thanks

[@joseandresbolanos7216]

Hey Ben, on the Fizik shoes how's your sizing compared to Nike (e.g. Turbos)?

[@kumite1984]

Do you think cycling (maybe out of the saddle?) can improve steep hill climbs for trail running, or are lunges, jump squats better?

[@mochacat4042]

I got a new tacx booster ! I don’t have any experience or friends that do this workout my question is how I change gear on the smart trainer -how do I star ? I want to improve my aerobic and fitness

[@tomhartridge1]

Shame it's all so expensive. Glad you're still able to get excersise in!

[@a_skiller6286]

The productivity culture makes us care so much about the result, that we forget to enjoy the process. The Forwago helped me to keep improving myself and achieving my goals while still enjoying the process, and I am so grateful because of that.

[@BT.channel]

Good video

[@Maestralius]

Indoor cycling is like running on a treadmill to me -> impossible / I love being outside to make sport, breathing the air of nature :D

[@mikesimms1]

I'm a runner and a triathlete. Hope to see you out on Zwift. BTW, one of Zwift's competitors, Road Grand Tours, is free right now, so that might be an option for people who don't want a subscription.

[@BenParkes]

Should out to Road Grand Tours! Haven't heard of them myself.. but will check them out!

[@heggybhoy82]

I'm 39 I've been running 4 days a week with about 16 to 20 miles and exercise bike twice a week with a days rest, I recently did my first parkrun, 22m.43s and i want to start getting faster , I was thinking hill sprints. and 1km intervals with 2 min recovery. Maybe a long run aswell, any bike tips I usually do 45mins to an hour gradually increasing the resistance every 5 or 10 mins til I get to 40-45mins then back down for 5 or 10 mins 👍

[@robinrobin135]

Im a lazy comfortable runner, when it rains i use my indoor bike lol and i think it helps my running alot.

[@Meghamin2013]

hey mate so does cyclying at home help you get faster because i need to get faster in sprints would indoor cylcling help?

[@briangrissom3203]

Call me crazy, but I’m a runner and a huge indoor cycling fan. I’m also a cheap skate. I bought a used fluid trainer for around $80 and just watch sufferfest or the GCN training videos. It’s also a great way to train by “feel” which will help you in your running as well.

[@edwardbrown2359]

The elite zumo is a very good interactive trainer for around £400

[@aris_tri5307]

Guys are there any cheaper options like the atom ? Like sub 1000?? Or could anyone suggest a good actual bike and stand combo for indoor use !!?? Thank you ! Stay safe !

[@nickclark5883]

I use a Concept2 BikeERG which works well with Zwift, they cost about 1000 pounds.

[@gainde1137]

When already running 4 times a week and having an addtional strength training day. Would you sacrifice one rest day for cycling so there is only one rest day left in the week? Maybe it's a better option on off-season or when injured to reduce the running volume. What's your opinion on this matter?

[@giovanbattistafichera8439]

What would be a really cheap Zwift setup? (not counting the tablet?)

[@TK-nc3ou]

Isnt cycling a great supplement to running as it develops back of your hips which is not as strongly impacted while running?

[@JP32e1]

Group Zwift ride!!! On a weekend so people in different time zones can join you (CA time pls!)???

[@harlequin991]

I think I will just carry on outdoor cycling. Bike is always ready to go and no need for expensive gadgets.

[@shermanlau8143]

How much power (watts) for a 160lb man would be equivalent to an 8:00 pace run or 6:00 pace tempo?

[@jamieh9644]

Have you heard of an app called FulGaz?? It is like zwift but all your rides people have filmed and it automatically adjusts incline, speed etc.

[@BenParkes]

I have heard of it.. but haven't researched it. I will do now though!

[@Marco-wt2cj]

We should create a group ride on Zwift!!

[@aaroiseverything]

giving tips like a seasoned cyclist (: sounds like you're going get a real bike soon :D

[@phill.p]

I have been looking for one to use while on lockdown. You try and buy a half decent one at the moment!🤦🏻‍♂️ As much as I would love a Wattbike my other half would kill me if I bought one!

[@simonecarniglia4870]

How do you manage to raise the HR on the bike? I really cannot raise it above 110 bpm.....how van to raise it to mimic running? even in running I have low bpm 130-140, but on the bike I cannot reach that level I was suggested to keep an easy gear and have high turnover to mimic runs, but even with hard gear i cannot raise my HR as in a run

[@AliceOnARun]

Simone Carniglia - Not Ben but I had a similar issue and it was a case of finding classes on KZbin (e.g. GCN workout videos) where they guide you through interval and hill sets which generally get your heart rate up more when you’re being told what to do

[@aaroiseverything]

After covid 19 ends: Ben parks does an ironman with a gopro!

[@aaroiseverything]

@Road Runner JAN FRODENO IS DOING HIS FULL IRONMAN AT HOME NOW!!

[@flodolo]

I looked into Wattbike right after seeing it in one of your videos. Too bad they ship only in a handful of countries :-\ It looks like a convenient option for winter and crappy weather, considering that I don''t plan to buy a road bike, and I already own two that wouldn't fit a trainer. P.S. luckily here you can still exercise outside. Following your HM training (I love how clear it is), and will have a virtual race on my own at the end :)

[@flodolo]

@Road Runner Thanks! I missed that they added a full bike to trainers. I'm afraid it's over budget, unless I find one 2nd hand. Also, looks like it's not shipping in EU yet, which makes that pretty much impossible. I'll keep an eye out though.

[@jonh1958]

Going to save up for something like this. Not sure I have the room for it, may need to buy a bigger house first. BTW it is possible to pair a Garmin device with your laptop etc to give you HR data in Zwift, DC Rainmaker has a video about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKaylHSGlJyom8U (you may need to install some extra components to your device to allow it to recognise Ant+ devices but it does work)

[@ArnisR.]

good that can put subtitles 😅👀👂

[@tapamthemovie]

Now I see why Ben has a hard time replying to email... 6510 unanswered mails in his inbox LOL :-)

[@julianpimat2467]

Oh, I love Zwift. Added you on the platform. Maybe we´re doing a ride together soon. I´m "Fred de Fire". Greetings

[@belayatapo3035]

hi

[@thedanishking1524]

Been using zwift for around 5 months now and I love it, getting in 100-150 km of cycling a week has really been beneficial to my overall fitness! bought a 3-year old"Kickr snap" second hand for around 150 pounds and it works like a dream, I would highly recommend it to people starting indoor cycling. User name "Oliver Carlsen" if interested :)

[@paulkeenan7553]

Is that a new hat to the way at 2:58?🤔

[@BenParkes]

It's a sample one of the new pink hat.. pre-orders open soon for that! :-)

[@paulkeenan7553]

@@BenParkeslooking forward to it!

[@alexanderparsons4862]

You missed the roller option Ben!!!!

[@BenParkes]

I did! They do look potentially an accident waiting to happen (know I'm one to talk!!) Did mean to include it though.. :-)

[@dardoux]

Ben Parkes I use rollers Ben, took me two weeks to master and love them, it’s not easy but worth persevering at them. keep pedalling = stay upright 😊.

[@bigflat1238]

Using cycling is a no brainier it’s great fun,ps you can cycle outside

[@dewknow1315]

I rather use my road bike. I need a break form the roads because that all we got right now. All the trails are closed for now.

[@101ballard]

Cycling is a runners wheelchair

[@McStoolio]

Don't be ridiculous, runners cannot cycle properly. They are useless.

[@churnetvalleyrunner3635]

Cycling is a sport for people who aren’t fit enough to run, unfortunately for you