Quote Originally Posted by Travs View Post
Perhaps as i age i might need to resort back to cross-training in future years for preservation.
Quote Originally Posted by Graham Breeze View Post
Probably.

You get good at running by running but that is progressively damaging vulnerable bits of your body.

My knee surgeon told me that all fell runners eventually destroy their knees - it is the consequence of a lot of running fast on hard surfaces down hills, which is not what your body is designed for.

But eg cycling can maintain a good cardiovascular system without wrecking your knees and when you no longer have the body of a spring lamb it can play a part in keeping you running. If that is what you want to do, although some might think cycling is a lot more enjoyable.
When I started running I quickly found that I could not do a lot of mileage without getting injured, and developed a strategy of doing my 'long runs' on the bike, and doing as much of my running as possible on grass.

Later, when I found a consultant who really understood my hip condition, I was told I had exceeded the normal maximum life-span (before surgery) for the joint by 14 years. My take on this is that some running is actually good for joints, and it is excessive mileage that is bad for the joints of the leg (usually starting with the knees). The problem with this is that 'excessive' varies from person to person, and the value probably decreases with age too.

In terms of enjoyment, I would rate road cycling slightly above road running, but a long, long way behind fell.