On April 9, I completed my first half marathon. I finished 15th in my age group with a time of 1:38 and got a hot bowl of delicious potato soup for finishing—not too shabby!
And now that I’ve finished my very first half marathon, I can finally help to answer the age-old question: Who suffers more—cyclists or runners?
A marathon runner only runs a few marathons a year but it’s not uncommon for a professional cyclist to race 80 days.
On the other hand, because cyclists can draft off other riders and coast when going downhill, we don’t work hard every single meter of our bike races. In fact, we sometimes roll along inside the peloton without too much effort, which allows for some recovery time in the middle of the race. A runner, though, actually has to run and move his legs constantly; the second he stops moving his legs, he is literally standing still.
In terms of duration, a bike race can take up to seven hours, while a marathon is usually between two and four.
From the running I’ve done, it feels that my body needs a longer time to recover from a long run than a long ride. It is so much more intense—your joints and muscles have to work so much harder during a run. On the bike, your bodyweight is supported by the saddle and your bike helps to propel you forward. When you run, you have to support your bodyweight every single step and carry your whole body with every step. That takes so more out of you. Whereas cyclists can recover on downhills, the runner has to work even harder because of the negative g-forces.
To me, it feels like a one-hour run is equivalent to at least two hours on the bike. That said, I feel like nothing beats the devastating feeling of bonking at the end of a long bike race, when your body feels so empty that you can hardly turn the pedals and you feel like you won’t be able to finish the race.
Honestly, it’s almost impossible to compare cycling and running—as soon as you become serious and ambitious, every sport becomes hard. They both are beautiful and can be incredibly brutal. They are both very demanding but in different ways. And I like ‘em both!
I will keep biking and running because I love being active and fit. And isn’t that the ultimate goal? To stay fit and healthy?
So my friends, here is our new motto: Be fit. Be healthy. Be happy. (And always—shut up, legs!)
If we stick to that we will not only make ourselves happy but our family and friends as well. Our happiness will rub off on them, and there is nothing wrong with being happy and sharing some laughs and smiles, right?
So, let’s promise to staying happy and active. My next goal is to run a half marathon in less than 90 minutes. What’s yours?
Jens Voigt (right) with his best friend, Jens Wichmann
*Top photo courtesy of Elbdeichmarathon.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Jens Voigt
Fitbit Ambassador Jens Voigt is a former professional cyclist currently serving as a team consultant for Trek Factory Racing. Jens embraces pain and lives by the motto: “Shut Up Legs!” He once rode 20 kilometers in the Tour de France on a kid’s bike. Jens has six (yes, six!) children and lives in Germany.
Interesting comparison! I always thought it is hard to cycle! Looks like running is harder!
I agree that running is much harder on the joints. I got injured far more when I ran over biking – but that is my fault for overdoing it all the time!
Even though a marathon runner may only run a few marathons per year, he or she might run several shorter races in addition to the marathons. Not every race is a marathon, and not every runner is a marathon runner.