In my [still] short time being a bike commuter I have been able to notice some significant bodily adaptations, especially with regards to aerobic fitness. During the first weeks/month or two, I was relatively in tune with the what was happening. Even going from a competitive triathlete’s training schedule to biking a [seemingly] mere 17 miles each day produced some significant changes in body composition and metabolic rate. For the first month of daily bike commuting [the 'August project'] I would wake up with a slight sore-ness throughout my legs, which eventually faded as my legs became used to the constant stress. One of the nice results of this was an exciting amount of increased definition in my leg muscles, particularly my calves muscles. My metabolism seemed to bump up a little - but nothing too exceptional (I was coming off the end of a 6-day a week triathlon training schedule…).
The human body never ceases to amaze me how it can adapt, or even how it functions in general.
Now into my fourth straight month of bike commuting, I am noticing more physical adaptation - but it is different this time. My body has finally realized that it is not being trained for competition. The power of muscular function is being reduced to allow for the extra endurance that is being expected. I tried including some sprints into my ride home yesterday, but I felt sluggish and not as explosive as I used to.
But my running performance has seemed to increase. Since I began bike commuting, the miles I have logged with my running shoes has decreased by nearly 60-70% - YET last night I was able to run a 5k faster than I would when I was training for triathlons, and with an easier effort. A week ago, I went for a run - having not gone running for at least 2 weeks - and was able to maintain a very good pace with no discomfort.
It seems my metabolism has normalized as well, much as my muscles have. My body seems to have become a very efficient calorie burning machine and is able to maintain the functionality that I demand on a lesser diet. This part is actually sad to me in a way, because it means that whenever I eat more than I legitimately need to, I can tell.
While I have been in tune with how my body has responded to the stress I place on it as a bike commuter, I had a ‘duh’ moment today: my body no longer responds and requires the nourishment it did when I was a “competitive athlete.” Bike commuting continues to be a learning experience for me, and I think I have finally shed the mentality that I am training to be a competitive athlete. I will [hopefully] always continue to participate in recreational competitions because I love the experience of being at races: I love the excitement and anticipation, I love the physical challenge of the race itself, and I love the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. The beauty of my situation now is that I am able to maintain a solid and above-average level of fitness without having to spend any time in a weight room or on a treadmill.
That’s right, the Velorution made me a better runner!
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9 responses so far ↓
1 karlisle » On the Anatomy of a Bike Commuter // Nov 28, 2007 at 10:47 pm
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt [IMG] In my [still] short time being a bike commuter I have been able to notice some significant bodily adaptations, especially with regards to aerobic fitness. During the first weeks/month or two, I was relatively in tune with the what was happening. Even going from a competitive triathlete’s training schedule to biking a [seemingly] mere 17 miles each day produced some significant changes in body composition and metabolic rate. For the first month of daily bike commuting [the ‘August project [...]
2 dekun2006 » On the Anatomy of a Bike Commuter // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:08 am
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt [IMG] In my [still] short time being a bike commuter I have been able to notice some significant bodily adaptations, especially with regards to aerobic fitness. During the first weeks/month or two, I was relatively in tune with the what was happening. Even going from a competitive triathlete’s training schedule to biking a [seemingly] mere 17 miles each day produced some significant changes in body composition and metabolic rate. For the first month of daily bike commuting [the ‘August project [...]
3 Ghost Rider // Nov 29, 2007 at 4:53 am
Very interesting observations…I always use my bike commuting as an excuse to eat extra food even though my commute isn’t that long or that intense!
Jeff, what do you do for upper-body strength? The longer I ride, the less strength I feel in the rest of me — I neglect my upper body while my legs and ass have turned into solid rock…one of the drawbacks of being a cyclist, I suppose. Do you still swim or anything?
4 Jeff // Nov 29, 2007 at 8:56 am
Jack, that is definitely true of me too…especially the part about legs and ass turning into solid rock! haha.
I have definitely gotten leaner up top, but I maintain some strength by doing calisthenics and the sort, primarily the classics: pushups and pullups. There is a “fitness” trail right behind my apartment complex that has monkey bars, so I try to get out there every other other day and do a pullup workout.
5 Quinn // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:50 am
For me, I eat less when I am an active cyclist, and/yet better. Just another way to keep the weight off, I have gotten to the point that a normal size holiday meal will make me sick. All I normally eat is trail mix, fish, oatmeal, pb&j, and misc carbs.
for strengthening from the waist up, I have Frank(XC turned 26″ bmx) and go to a (F)MX practice area.
6 Ghost Rider // Nov 29, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I’ve been thinking about Quinn’s upper body routine…I try to ride my singlespeed mountain bike and do stunts (stairs, wheelies, jumps) about once or twice a week, but it isn’t structured enough to really build strength. I’m going to have to add those classic pushups and pullups to my daily routine!
7 FlynRyn // Nov 29, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Cool article. Although i am no tri athlete I do recognize the things you mentioned in your article first hand. I commute and train on the road bike regularly. About 85% of my riding is training and about 15%is riding the Mountain bike even then there is some bit of training within the MTB ride. I race in the sport class MTB and have noticed that if you don’t stay some what strict in your training regimen it is easy to fall off.
8 Lance // Nov 29, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Jeff I noticed that about the running too. I used to do trail running races but hadn’t ran for a 6 months. I tried a 5 mile, hilly route I used to run and surprised myself with my fitness level. Commuting rocks!
Before I got a weight set I used my two 20 pound dumbells and did basic reps with them. Curls, pushups, crunches. Cheap and effective!
9 Smudgemo // Nov 29, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Jeez, you guys are serious. I commute to protest federal policy and not get fat drinking beer.
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