(I decided to start making entries public; it's not like I'm saying anything that needs to be really private.)

I had to think long and hard about picking up running. I ran for a while in college (for exercise, not competitively) and liked it, but I was concerned about messing my knees, ankles, etc up. Also, I couldn't afford real running shoes, which certainly didn't help my knees, ankles, etc.

As much as I love bicycling, I do not feel safe biking here. Having the big trail across from my in Illinois was great, especially since few people used it. The Pinellas trail here is wonderful, but there are so many road crossings that it's difficult on a bike to keep up any sort of pace. The off-road trails are too far away to be viable for regular exercise. Also, drivers here often don't even look when crossing the Pinellas trail.

So here are a few differences between biking and running:


(Note: these are from the perspective of a road runner/road biker living in Flatland.)

Anyone can do 20 miles on a bike. A fitness runner may only run 20 miles in a week.

If my bike breaks and I have to walk it back, my cycling shoes will destroy my feet and keep me from biking until they heal. If I get too tired/sore to run, my running shoes are fine for walking in.

A $2000 bicycle, properly maintained, will last me the rest of my life. A $150 pair of running shoes will last 500 miles, or about 3 months at the level of miles I'd like to end up doing.

However, having two pairs of running shoes is enough to be happy. Very few cyclists can stick with having just one (or even two) bikes.

If I'm cycling and something breaks, it means a trip to the bike store. If I'm running and something breaks, it means a trip to the doctor/hospital.

The Hash House Harriers are a drinking club with a running problem. Drinking and cycling in most states is a DUI.

Most motorists can accurately gauge the speed of an approaching runner. Few motorists realize that spandex-clad cyclist is moving at 20+ mph.

A morning run means getting dressed, lacing shoes, maybe grabbing a bottle of water, then taking it easy for a mile and then running. A morning bike ride means getting dressed, lacing shoes, definitely grabbing a bottle (or two, or a hydration system), checking the tire pressure, checking the chain, then taking it easy for a few miles and then cycling.

Running burns pretty much 100 Calories per mile, whether I'm going slow or fast, on a treadmill or outside. Bicycling on a stationary bike or going slowly burns next to no Calories as much of the resistance is from the wind.

Once I know what shoes I need and like, I can buy a new pair of running shoes and go running. If I want to buy a new bike, someone will be spending time making sure it fits me correctly before I can ride it.

Running shoes and clothes take up a small part of a carry-on bag. When I land, I can be ready to run in a matter of minutes. To take my bike costs $80+ per leg of the trip (in the US) and I have to disassemble it and put it in a special box. Anyplace I stay won't mind my having an extra pair of shoes. Most places will mind my insisting on having my bike in my room.



To be honest, at this point, I'd rather be biking than running. But running fits my schedule and situation better and I have enjoyed it in the past. On my way home, I measured out the route I'll likely be using most of the time. It's almost exactly a 10K. Of course, I won't be able to do the whole 10K on a regular basis for quite some time, but it's good to know.