How Do You Count Cross Training Mileage?

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Caren Jew

25 posts since
Sep 10, 2006

Dec 27, 2007 2:20 AM

How Do You Count Cross Training Mileage?

For those of you who cross-train, how do those miles translate to running miles for you? I took 2 months off from running earlier this summer because of plantar fasciitis and started mountain biking. I'm finally back to running about 20 miles a week, with a long run of 10, and 10-12 miles on the mountain bike. Does the biking mileage equal a 10-12 mile run? Or do you not count those in your weekly mileage? I'm trying to get my base built back up to 35-40/week for some winter 50Ks.

Thanks for your help.

http://This message has been edited by KC1125 (edited Oct-15-2007).

rustyboy

113 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Oct 15, 2007 4:48 PM

in response to: Caren Jew

I know that in road biking, it's generally looked at that it takes 4 hours of cycling to equal one hour of running. I always count my cross-training in with my weekly training time, as long as my aerobic HR is equal to where it would be when I run (i.e. elliptical, stair climber, etc).

Mountain biking, depending on the terrain, can be MUCH more of a workout that road cycling.

I found that out the HARD way my first time on a bike in the mountains!

nickjc

37 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. Oct 15, 2007 6:33 PM

in response to: Caren Jew

there are lots of studies that have concluded cross training does not provide much benefit to your primary sport.It is useful for not getting burnt out mentally which can be a significant benefit but the only thing that gets running muscles in shape is running. So no, the miles don't count for anything.

merigayle

1,572 posts since
Aug 15, 2007

3. Oct 15, 2007 7:52 PM

in response to: Caren Jew

i don't really count my miles, i generally train for time. My cross training just goes into that mix. In the past year i have become a slave to the stairstepper and it has really benefited my ultrarunning, especially when i went out to Wyoming for the Teton 100 miler.

rustyboy

113 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

4. Oct 15, 2007 8:15 PM

in response to: Caren Jew

Ditto, meri. That stair climber is an amazing replacement for hill running/walking. Plus, I feel all high and exhaulted, standing several feet above the treadmills and ellipticals.

nick, I'm curious if you remember where you read those studies: The reason I ask is that my physical therapist (who is a PT for a cycling team, a soccer team, and is a marathoner herself) also does R and D and discovered that cross training does actually physically benefit running.

formationflier

975 posts since
Oct 13, 2007

5. Oct 15, 2007 8:28 PM

in response to: Caren Jew

Cycling miles are certainly a helpful supplement, but they
do not replace running miles. There's little equivalence. That's
not to say that they don't give you some great quad benefit
and so forth, but they won't make up for a lack of running.

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dironstarr

21 posts since
Apr 18, 2002

6. Oct 19, 2007 6:25 PM

in response to: Caren Jew

Meri....what kind of workout you using for the stair climber? I just got one a couple weeks ago solely to help me with my ultra running. I've been doingone session a week for about 25 minutes, using the programs that simulate up and down climbs.

I got Stone Cat coming up and want to cover all my bases.