Hey, adding another cycling & running question to the forum but appreciate any help! There’s questions about adding a few runs to a primarily cycling week, but this is a question about adding XC cycling in to running instead!
I’ve been a fairly decent runner for the last few years (16:08 5k, 2:38 marathon, a number of ultras, 67 VO2max) but I’ve gotten absolutely burnt out of the competitive element of running (struggling with the mental health side of racing, I think I’ve put in everything I’m willing to in the pursuit of performance at this point). I still love training, I don’t need races to go and train as I treat it as a bit of a personal experiment and do benefit from the mental health aspect of exercise. I also used to MTB a lot in my youth, and I’ve decided that there’s enough good trails and routes nearby to be explored that I’d get an XC bike and mix in some cycling.
With running I found a nice balance from 7 days/week, 120k-140k/8-10 hours, a big session somewhere between lactate threshold and lactate turnpoint, and a steady long run (pushing up to LT). The rest easy runs at least an hour long. In my head I imagine that (subject to weather etc) I’d swap at least 1 of the easy runs for a ride, possibly be able to chuck in another session on the bike too, and maybe swap the long run every other week for a long ride.
I have access to a lab to regularly test myself, so at some point in the next few weeks I’ll probably do a proper MLSS test on the bike too.
I don’t have the funds for a computer or power meter at the moment (the benefits of being a student are the lab access and constant physiological testing, the cost is being cash-poor!), but as mentioned I can still get the cycling-specific HR data and I have done almost all of my running with HR anyway. I’ve read that HR is a better guide for XC riding anyway?
So loads of words, thanks for reading! My question(s) are really seeking any thoughts/experience about balancing this training, any insights others have on doing similar, how does a run=ride - I’ve been assuming its about double (60 minute run = 120 ride). I don’t have any goals with riding, I won’t be racing but I’d maybe like to try some bikepacking/long distance epics. Really I just want to stay in good shape, have some fun with training, but also satisfy the nerd/scientist voice in my head that always wants to know the physiological underpinning of what training I’m doing!