I thought I would post this here instead of a running or cycling subreddit because I feel I would get more of an unbiased opinion here. I started C25K in mid May this year and have since worked my way up to an 8 mile run. However, I injured my knee and had to take a week and a half off. Ever since I started running many people, my trainers included, have been telling me how bad distance running is for you because the impact on your knees is like 3 times your weight slamming into them with each stride and over time it just severely damages them. I used to ignore what they were saying because I really love running. After this injury, however, I am starting to question if it is worth it.
I have been really thinking about what I really enjoy about running. I think it is being outside seeing the town and countryside and getting into that stride where I really feel like I'm pushing myself and getting my heart rate up and a good sweat. It seems really hard for me to get my heart rate up in my classes at the gym any more, no matter how hard I am pushing myself it stays in the lower 70% of my max heart rate when everyone else in the class is pushing mid 80s to lower 90s, like I used to. When I run, I am pushing to that higher heart rate an it feels good and like I am actually getting a good workout in. I also looked up running vs cycling for weight loss, as I still have around 20 -25 pounds of fat I would like to lose. Those articles all said that you get a better calories burn running because you are working your whole body compared to cycling but, you run a much higher risk of injury and can not run as long as with cycling. Cycling is also much more expensive. My dad is into it and his, slightly above mid tier bike, cost him around $3,500. I figure I could get a decent starter bike for around $850 - $1,000 but, that is still very expensive compared to a pair of nice $150 running shoes every year. You also have maintenance costs on the bike. It is something I have always wanted to do, I've really wanted to ride the Rag Brai with my dad some day but, I just don't think I will be able to afford it for another year or two at least with my wedding, honeymoon, and a trip to visit family that lives across country all coming up next year. At the same time, he has been having health issues and was unable to go on the ride this year and I'm not sure when or if he will be able to again.
I guess what I'm asking is, is the risk of injury just too high to bother with running? Would it be much better to switch to cycling given what I enjoy about running? I don't really want to make a big monetary investment in cycling right now unless there is good reason to switch from running.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts you give me.
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