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Spinning For Runners

“People think running is just about getting out there, but it’s all of the other factors—sleep, proper nutrition, and cross training—that allow you to get the most out of the sport.”

- Deena Kastor

I have a confession to make, Deena. The only time I take cross-training seriously is when I am injured.  Do you think that’s why I am, uhm, always injured?

Injury has been a major curse in my running life, but I’ve realized—just as I was writing this—that it’s been a blessing as well.  The curse of the runner’s knee forced me to take up TI last year (which started a whole new love affair with swimming) and now, with the respite from running, I tried spinning. 

Yesterday morning, Jun and I joined Annie’s spinning class at Fitness First.  Jun, my running buddy, and I accepted Annie’s invitation as we our both currently suffering from knee injuries.  

Cycling is a great alternative to running as it develops lower body strength without the hard impact on the knee.  Experts say that cycling works out your leg muscles even more thoroughly than running since the quads and calves are strengthened with every pedal rotation.

Spinning is a great alternative for those who wish to bike, but don’t have bikes yet (ehem).  It’s also safer and easily accessible to the gym rats.  

For Jun and I, we also thought it would be fun to watch Annie transform from our crazy, barok friend into serious instructor in a snap. We thought we would get a good laugh out of it (although, by the end of the class, I think it was Annie who got the last laugh!)

By the time I arrived, the class was already warming up.  I stepped into the spinning room, all four walls in black with the milky way galaxy painted on them, as if to remind me that I was venturing into uncharted territory.  I hopped unto the bike beside Jun’s and—3…2…1—blast off!  I started pedalling away!

The first 5 minutes were easy.  Just a warm-up.  The rest of the 55 minutes were excruciating.  Whatever mountain it was we were climbing, it sure was high, and long, and not for newbie bikers like me!  

The first spinning instructor guided us through the first half of the workout.  There was never a dull moment as we increased and decreased tension and speed at varied intervals.  The music was loud and intense so it helped to keep me pedaling on despite the weary leg muscles.  More than once, I could feel my heart pumping and, had it not been for those recovery portions, it would have leapt out of my chest.  By 30 minutes, I was beat. I thought my poor ol’ running legs couldn’t take any more.

Then, as we continued spinning, Annie steps out for a couple of minutes and returns with a CD in hand.  She puts it on and takes over from the first instructor.  Suddenly, she’s not the Annie that I know.  This Annie raises her arms up and commands the class to step it up.  Drenched in sweat as we all are, she raises her arms up in a fury and pushes us to climb that steep hill, pedal faster, or go up to standing position.  Gawd, who is this alien Annie and what did she do with my friend?!

We ended the session with the first instructor taking us through the cool down and Annie leading the stretches.  Needless to say, I survived the whole out-of-this-world experience.  It was tough on the quads (something my patella needs for realignment), it was utterly exhausting (my type of workout), it was humbling (just because you’ve run long distances, it doesn’t mean your legs are strong) and it was fun (although not as enjoyable as a run).

I’ve decided to add spinning to my list of cross training activities.  Hopefully, I get to practice it not only when I’m injured, but even when I’ve fully recovered already.  This would make Deena and that alien Annie proud!

Posted on 01.24.09 to 05 Training. Tags: , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 9 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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9 Responses to “Spinning For Runners”

  1. haha! i enjoyed reading this post of yours, even imagining you and junC spinning like no tomorrow! tara na sa road naman mag-spin ;) seriously, hope both you and jun’s knees become super-duper ok soon. see you tom! :D

    Kapag may roadies na kami vimz! Kakausapin mo na rin ba ang tuhod ni Jun?

    vimz said on Jan 24 09 at 10:54 AM Reply

  2. spinning is quite good, aside from the regular once or twice a week runs, i make it a point to go to my tuesday morning spin class at ff

    I’ll do the same starting next week :)

    mel said on Jan 24 09 at 12:18 PM Reply

  3. I can attest to this personally. December of last year I got injured; I had achilles tendinitis and inflammation under my big left toe. It was because of using the wrong shoe. In that 1 month when I was injured, I was only doing stationary bike or attending spinning classes thrice a week.

    I think it did help. I felt my legs getting stronger. When I ran again, I felt that my legs and ankles held better than i exected. I was still huffing and puffing but it seems that the leg endurance was still there. Since then, I have always incorporated this for my cross-training.

    Thanks flatfoot runner from a fellow flat foot :)

    FlatFoot Runner said on Jan 24 09 at 12:26 PM Reply

  4. Spinning is great, I’ve been doing it the last 3 years at a studio that caters to triathletes and cyclists. It was good because the workout was always intense and the coach tailored it to the big races we had during the year with options for easier workouts for those recovering or not racing. It’s also great for the interval training without the pounding. Make sure you are spinning at a high cadence, 90+, unless the workout is simulating a hill climb – easier on your knees. Also if your quads are too sore after every workout then you are like me, a masher. Means you like to mash those gears, you put a lot of strength on the downstroke. Try to keep an even pressure on the pedal throughout the whole revolution. I’ve gotten better over the years but I still mash.

    rick gaston said on Jan 24 09 at 3:03 PM Reply

  5. hi bullrunner i suffered the same fate as yours i injured my knee by doing a squat of 120 that is with bad form coz i really wanted to run srong waaaa! for half a year no run for me doc said i need to shed 20 more lbs.(but how can i do that if u wouldnt allow me to run) be gentle on ur knees iha he said thats how i got into cycling and its fun i started using bike those worth 2k mtb im so proud of myself cruising along hilly road to norzagay. i now have this roadbike ang enjoying group rides everywhere north to south ul have sexy legs and butt along the way keep it up bullrunner

    cele said on Jan 26 09 at 10:12 AM Reply

  6. Hi, im just about to get into running and was referred to your website by my friend in Alabang. He mentioned that your a hardcore/runner blogger and I should check out your page for updates on running events.

    I came across your blog and how your injury affected you and running. I can imagine how frustrating it is to get injured. I too was injured not once but twice on both knees with an ACL tear. Yeah, cross training and “other” activities help you recover from injuries and keep you busy. But you always seem to look for that activity that you got so much “love” and passion for.

    In my case, I love playing basketball. No, I am not a pro athlete or anywhere near it but I play the game as much as I possible can.

    It takes around an average of 6 to 8 months to get back to regular sporting activities with an ACL reconstructive surgery. It took me that much time away from “my love” on my 1st tear. On the 2nd time it happened, I was devastated and vowed that I will get back better, faster and stronger despite the injury.

    I was looking for other ways to hasten the healing time and came across hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). A good doctor friend of mine recommended it and I went in for a couple of weeks. It really helped a lot and was able to get back to activiites on the 5th month. Now, Im back with my love! :)

    I believe that there are others like us, who have true passion for sports (despite not being pro), and want to recover quicker.This inspired me to put our very own hyperbaric oxygen therapy clinic at Festival Mall at Alabang.

    If you have the time, come drop by the clinic (HBOT, Inc 3rd flr. Festival Supermall) and try it out and maybe I can also get tips on running :)

    Mark Cupino said on Jan 26 09 at 10:57 AM Reply

  7. Though, I highly recommend RPM more than Cycling.

    Patrick said on Jan 26 09 at 8:28 PM Reply

  8. stumbled on to your blog because i’m planning to start running. i used to spin before i got pregnant last year. really loved it, but after giving birth, i lost my groove and hated having to go to the gym. i miss it though. maybe after i’ve gained some strength on my muscles again, i will start spinning and running na rin. :) love your blog–nakaka-inspire to get off my lazy ass and start exercising.

    Hi mandy, thanks for dropping by! I hope you start running soon :)

    Mandy said on Feb 11 09 at 11:44 PM Reply

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