I'm trying to get back up to speed after I was derailed last year by a nasty bout of classic TOFP caused by weak and sore calves.
I'm up to the 5km running mark (in shoes - barefoot transition comes next), and so I thought it might be time to jump on the bike and go for a short 12km ride at a relaxed pace yesterday. After the ride I went through my current running routine of rolling my calves with a rolling pin, and for the first time since my injury, the front of my calves were quite sore. This worried me a bit, because I was doing quite a bit of bike riding before my big breakdown last year.
I went for another run this morning and found that I was a fraction slower than my previous run on the same course. Rolling my shins wasn't as painful as after the bike ride, but it was a little tender.
So, the question - is cycling a good thing to do if you're trying to build running fitness, strengthen your calves and avoid TOFP? I like the idea of mixing in one or two rides per week, but I'm a little worried that I might end up injured again.
As an aside, I haven't got cycling shoes, I'm just riding with those old-school toe-clips and straps. Don't know if this means I'm more likely to be pushing with the front of my foot and straining the calves more.
I'm up to the 5km running mark (in shoes - barefoot transition comes next), and so I thought it might be time to jump on the bike and go for a short 12km ride at a relaxed pace yesterday. After the ride I went through my current running routine of rolling my calves with a rolling pin, and for the first time since my injury, the front of my calves were quite sore. This worried me a bit, because I was doing quite a bit of bike riding before my big breakdown last year.
I went for another run this morning and found that I was a fraction slower than my previous run on the same course. Rolling my shins wasn't as painful as after the bike ride, but it was a little tender.
So, the question - is cycling a good thing to do if you're trying to build running fitness, strengthen your calves and avoid TOFP? I like the idea of mixing in one or two rides per week, but I'm a little worried that I might end up injured again.
As an aside, I haven't got cycling shoes, I'm just riding with those old-school toe-clips and straps. Don't know if this means I'm more likely to be pushing with the front of my foot and straining the calves more.