From Chicago to California: Why I’m Cycling Instead of Running

Last month, I ran the Chicago Marathon. I haven’t run since — and won’t for another month.

Why? I’m not taking this break because I’ve fallen out of love with running (as if that could ever happen) — but because my body and mind needed it.

Training for a marathon (and racing it) is a demanding experience. All those miles take a toll on your body. Post-race day, your muscles, ligaments, cartilage and bones all need a break.

While many people quickly jump back into training, I’ve learnt from personal experience that not resting enough after a marathon block can be dangerous.

After finishing 18 weeks of training for the Leiden Marathon earlier this year, I made a huge mistake.

I allowed myself only one week of rest before jumping back into a demanding “pre-season” training block — 50~ miles per week with 2 speedwork sessions and a long-run, and a large caloric deficit.

This ludicrous strategy (among other factors) led to a stress fracture — an injury which, to this day, I haven’t completely shaken off.

I’ve talked about this in more detail in another post, but the crux of my point is that a single week of rest wasn’t enough.

So I knew with my next marathon, I wouldn’t make the same mistake.

That's why, after finishing Chicago, I decided to take some time off from running.

Why Give Up Running?

Running offers numerous benefits, including weight loss, reduced risk of mortality, improved mental health, and increased focus.

But as you become a better runner and increase your mileage and intensity, some claim that running can actually have a negative impact, such as damaging your cartilage (though this is debated). This is especially true if you don’t get enough recovery or fuel well.

Many of us feel a reluctance to give up running for any period because we’re scared of losing fitness. We believe that by quitting — even for a brief period — we’ll compromise our ability.

In fact, the opposite is true. Rest and recovery are essential for optimal performance. But even more than that, sustainability is the cornerstone of running. If you don’t rest, you might achieve a PB this month, but what about next month? Or next year?

There’s also the psychological benefits. Sticking to a training plan is hard work. There’s something mentally liberating about giving up structure for a while, and just treading water. If you have another race on the horizon, then you know this is only temporary. That gives you the ability to enjoy being a little less disciplined for a while, so that you can show up to your next block completely mentally refreshed.

With all this in mind, I’ve decided to experiment with a “reset” after a marathon block: a period of time off running to let my body restore itself.

Cross-training

Naturally, the biggest fear of giving up running is losing your hard-earned fitness. That’s where the cycling comes in. Because taking time off running does not mean giving up your fitness — absolutely not!

Obviously, you don’t need to do what I’m doing — a 6-week cycling trip across the US Pacific Northwest in Autumn isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

In my case, I wanted a decent chunk of rest to finish up my stress fracture healing. What better way to retain fitness than cycling across the relentlessly hilly terrain of Washington and Oregon?

Cycling is a cardiovascular activity with no impact. By “no impact,” I mean that, unlike running, you don’t physically hit the ground as you do it — your joints literally absorb no impact.

That means that my body can heal while my cardiovascular fitness still improves.

I’ve decided to do a cross-country cycling trip because I love travelling, and I’ve started to enjoy cycling after being forced into it due to this injury.

But I could have just as easily:

• Stayed at home and jumped on Zwift

• Swam daily at my local swimming pool

• Took up the cross-trainer / elliptical machine — God forbid

Essentially, any non-impact alternative to running would do the job.

How long to take a break from running is difficult to answer, but I’d suggest no less than 2 weeks.

Cycling, swimming and the cross-trainer generally increase your fitness more slowly than running (though it depends on the exact sport) due to lower relative intensity and muscle recruitment.

But if using these sports for a brief period means you can continue to run — and run well — for the foreseeable future, then the short-term dent to the fitness is a price worth paying.

You’re making a short-term “sacrifice” for long-term performance.