You’d think that a pandemic would be enough to stop many from exercising, yet in 2020, more women exercised outside than ever before. According to Strava (the social network for athletes), between April and September 2020, women aged 18-29 uploaded 45.2% more running activities than during the same period in 2019.

While it is brilliant that so many young women were heading outside for a double-dose of vitamin D and movement, that uptick in cardiovascular activity did have its downsides. At my soft tissue clinic, I saw a number of running injuries and niggles caused (usually) by overuse. With little else to do during 2020, it was tempting to run every day — speeding through Couch to 5k programmes or going further and faster than usual.

The advice that I’ve offered my clients over the past few years has largely been based on my own successes that have resulted from blending cycling and running. Back in 2017, after a particularly troublesome knee injury caused by overloading and underworking key muscles, I was told by a knee surgeon to ditch the marathon running I had come to love. It was the only way, he warned, that I’d be able to save the remaining cartilage in my patellofemoral joint (the bit that joins the thigh bone to the kneecap). He suggested taking up triathlons and cycling to mitigate the impact effects of running. Rather sulkily, I took his advice and bought a second hand road bike, determined to be back at marathons one day.

It wasn’t long before I realised that my surgeon had been totally correct. Cycling is a brilliant alternative and complement to running; when used correctly, they have almost a symbiotic relationship. There are many similarities and benefits and each training discipline can improve the other. Here’s how to peddle your way to being a faster, stronger and less injury-prone runner.

Running tips: “How this low-impact exercise significantly improved my running form”