The future of exercise

I blogged last night about the aches and pains of being an overweight non-Sportsman who tries to run to make his brain work, but suffers knee and foot pain in lieu. A suggestion that I should consider cycling was made on Twitter, but that's an even worse alternative. Can you see me in lycra?

So is cycling a real alternative? I know there are none of the weight bearing issues that come with pounding the lanes, but I find that the thing about running is that I keep a more or less steady pace irrespective of uphill, down dale, or across the flat - that just seems to suit my muscles (loved swimming as a boy), whereas cycling seems to demand a much greater variance in the speed at which muscles have to work, especially around here with so many hills.

Besides, just for the minute I have about 50 miles to run in just over a month to make a total of 500 miles since August 17th last year - and I will be really pleased with that, even though I am still to lose more than a couple of milligrams in weight (unless our bathroom scales have given up and are taking the mickey).

Any opinions out there?

I need a steady pace, fresh air, cheap and easy enough to do regularly...

Comments

[Tim Goodbody]

I was told the other day by a doctor (who runs) that cycling needs to be done for twice the amount of time as running to have the same effect as running, but that for those (like me) whose knees are shot away, it is better as it is non-impact.
Round here cycling is great because there are no hills. I seem to reacll a few over that way!

[Nicola]

Presuming you haven't got them already, for now you could get some strong knee supports (not the bandage type from Boots, I mean the strong Neoprene ones from running shops) and also some sturdy insoles (see http://www.drfoot.co.uk/Orthotic_Insoles.htm for the type I mean, I think you can get them from specialist shoe/running shops). Just the insoles alone should make a difference to knee and foot pain, but with a knee supports as well it might give added support to the painful joints at the moment.
Good luck! Hope you find a solution somehow.