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You are here: Home / Running / Mix Up Summer Running workouts with Bike Run Bricks

Running triathlon

Mix Up Summer Running workouts with Bike Run Bricks

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No doubt about it-summer running is challenging to say the least. For many, it’s a time to have a more relaxed training schedule before diving into fall racing season. A great way to mix up summer running is to add some “fun” bike run bricks. Even if you are not training for triathlons, run bike combo are fabulous training opportunities.

mix up your training with bike run intervals

mix up summer runnng

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  • Mix up your summer running with bike run bricks
    • How can this type of workout benefit you as a runner?
    • Can you do a bike run brick workout indoors?
    • What kind of gear do I need?
    • [You make also like: 4 Weeks to a sprint triathlon]
    • Summer is the perfect time to try new things and mix up your workouts. Ready to give it a “Tri”? You just might like it!

Mix up your summer running with bike run bricks

Ready to give this Brick workout a #Tri ? Running #BikeRunFun

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What is a “brick” anyway? A traditional brick workout consists of a bike workout followed by a run workout. The goal is to prepare your legs for what it feels like to do back to back sports in a triathlon race. When you transition immediately from the bike to a run, your legs can feel a little jello like for the first few minutes. It can take a few minutes to regulate your pace on the run.

mix up summer running| embracing the August heat

How can this type of workout benefit you as a runner?

Even if you are not planning on doing a triathlon, stacking a bike and run workout can make you a stronger runner. Running on tired and or jello like legs can build both mental and physical strength. During the summer when the temps are high and running is shall we say, not so pleasant, brick workouts are a great way to mix up summer running.

Can you do a bike run brick workout indoors?

Absolutely! If you have access to a treadmill and an indoor cycle, yes indeed you can do these workouts inside.

What kind of gear do I need?

 A bike helmet is a necessity. Having a basic pair tri shorts makes switching back and forth from cycling to running more comfortable.

Brick|workout|run|bike|triathlon

While traditional brick workouts are a bike ride followed immediately by a run, I have a favorite brick workout I like to do. I do shorter bike splits followed by 1-mile runs. Repeating this 3 or 4 times is tougher than it sounds. I call it my “ton of bricks” workout. For best results, try to minimize the time between sets and transition as quickly as possible.

[You make also like: 4 Weeks to a sprint triathlon]

Summer is the perfect time to try new things and mix up your workouts. Ready to give it a “Tri”? You just might like it!

 

 

 

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About Deborah Brooks

Hi I'm Deborah! I spend my days successfully raising a husband & 2 teens in the VA/DC area. I am a lover of all things running & fitness. As a life long vegetarian, I've always been passionate about healthy living & exercise. Looking for partners in crime, I started my own chapter of Moms Run This Town (MRTT) which has grown to over 700 members. I've met so many amazing women who inspire me daily to keep moving forward. You can usually find me running with my crew and training for the next crazy adventure they talked me into. I love to keep up to date on new running & fitness trends. I definitely choose my running gear based on color and love to express my fashion sense while exercising.

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    08/21/2019 at 8:10 am

    Brick workouts are hard! Though I haven’t actually done one since my brief foray into triathlon over 10 years ago. 🙂

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/21/2019 at 8:18 am

      They can be tough and also a fun way to mix things up!

  2. Rachelq says

    08/21/2019 at 10:32 am

    Interesting. I never considered doing a brick if I’m not training for a tri. What a great idea!!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/21/2019 at 8:23 pm

      It is a great way to mix up your training and challenge yourself

  3. Wendy says

    08/21/2019 at 11:17 am

    I’ve done this before when it’s a steamy hot day! It’s a great way to mix it up and get a run in! I should have done it this morning.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/21/2019 at 8:23 pm

      Yes I agree it really helps on those super hot days. Fun way to challenge yourself

  4. Kimberly Hatting says

    08/21/2019 at 12:32 pm

    It’s amazing how tough bricks are! I have not done it this summer (because I’m biking for longer distances), but I have often biked the 2-miles to the “city” lake (not the lake that’s on the hilly bike path). Then, I run 2-3 miles around the lake, then bike back home. The lake is kind of in a sketchy part of town, so I don’t want to go out there in the early hours…but I could do this after work someday.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/21/2019 at 8:24 pm

      Yes let me know if you give it a “tri”

  5. Marc Pelerin says

    08/21/2019 at 6:41 pm

    I’ve done a few bricks in prep for my first (and only) tri 3 years ago, but never tried repeats. I can imagine that the on and off is taxing and can stimulate some real aerobic growth!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/21/2019 at 8:24 pm

      Yes it’s a great way to mix up your training and have some fun

  6. Laurie says

    08/21/2019 at 8:00 pm

    Great advice! I have not been getting as many miles on the bike as I hoped to this summer. I have a mountain bike (no road bike) and had hoped to ride on some local rail trails, but have only had a few rides so far this summer.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/21/2019 at 8:25 pm

      I have not rode outside as much as usual this summer either. I do love to mix it up though

  7. Kim G says

    08/21/2019 at 8:19 pm

    While I don’t own a bike, I do like doing Peloton rides and then a run right after!

  8. Esther says

    08/22/2019 at 8:29 am

    This sounds like a great workout! I will def have to get back to these when I am able to run again! I actually like the challenge of a brick workout!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/22/2019 at 8:45 am

      I do too!

  9. Black Knight says

    08/22/2019 at 1:14 pm

    Interesting post. I thought about it few weeks ago but after I decided to alternate running and swimming. I run in early morning and later, when I go to the beach, I swim 45 minutes. It works but I admit that the bike run bricks is better to be ready in fall.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/22/2019 at 7:14 pm

      Hope you give them a try sometime!

  10. Kaleigh @ Lively Table says

    08/22/2019 at 6:31 pm

    Wow, this sounds like a tough, but great training and conditioning work out! Great post Deborah!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/22/2019 at 7:16 pm

      It is a fun way to mix up a workout

  11. Jenn says

    08/22/2019 at 7:53 pm

    Gah! No way in this heat! It’s already hard enough to just run!

    But seriously, I used to do bricks when I was tri training and it was an incredible workout. Just not for 90 degree days.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/23/2019 at 8:55 am

      I struggle to run long in the heat. Switching it up with the bike gives me a great workout without having to run longer distances. I stay much cooler on the bike

  12. Nick says

    08/22/2019 at 8:29 pm

    🙂 Fun stuff, I’ve unknowingly been doing this the last few years, biking to a trailhead, doing a quick run, then back on the bike home. Ok, there are no repeats, but it’s fun all the same!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/23/2019 at 8:55 am

      Yes definitely a fun way to mix it up and keep you in shape for both

  13. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says

    08/23/2019 at 6:48 am

    I’ve really never thought about doing a brick indoors — that’s fantastic advice, Deborah! I’m sure I’ll be incorporating this into my workout routine at some point.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/23/2019 at 8:58 am

      It definitely works indoors! Hope you “enjoy” mixing it up like this it’s fun

  14. Kalee says

    08/23/2019 at 9:00 am

    Oh wow! I had never heard of the Ton of Bricks Workout! It definitely sounds intense and perfect for training for a tri!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/23/2019 at 9:11 am

      Fun to do even if a Tri is not on your plan!

  15. Marcia says

    08/23/2019 at 3:45 pm

    “Fun” and “brick” do not typically go together in my vocab! This sounds like an effective but TOUGH workout!

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/24/2019 at 1:56 pm

      ha ha that is true! I do think it’s “fun” to mix it up sometimes

  16. Zenaida Arroyo says

    08/24/2019 at 5:31 am

    I’ve never done this type of workout. Definitely looks challenging! I will have to look into doing this now that I have a bike.

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/24/2019 at 1:56 pm

      Yes you could easily do it with your new bike

  17. Debbie @ Deb Runs says

    08/27/2019 at 8:06 pm

    Oh, I like the sound of that workout! Since I’m “considering” the Hagerstown Bi in mid-October, perhaps I try it. 😉

    • Deborah Brooks says

      08/28/2019 at 5:24 am

      Yes that would be a great practice exercise for you

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Successfully raising a husband & 2 young adults in the VA/DC area. I am a lover of all things running & fitness. NASM Certified Nutrition Coach & RRCA Run Coach. As a lifelong vegetarian/pescatarian I’ve always been passionate about healthy living & exercise. Looking for partners in crime, I started my own chapter of Moms Run This Town (MRTT) which has grown to over 800 members. I’ve met so many amazing women who inspire me daily to keep moving forward. You can usually find me running with my crew and training for the next crazy adventure they talked me into.
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