How the ElliptiGO Made Me a Faster Runner

Did you know that an ElliptiGO can make you a faster runner? Mine did. 

What is an ElliptiGO?

That’s great, you’re thinking, but what the heck is an ElliptiGO? I remember when these crazy elliptical bikes first came on the scene a few years ago. My first impression: do I really want to be that person with the crazy exercise machine that looks like it came out of the inflight magazine? No. My answer was no, I did not want that weird elliptical bike. I didn’t need it. 

The ElliptiGO was popular among runners, but it seemed that all these runners had one thing in common: they were injured. I wasn’t injured and honestly thought the Elliptigo was just a tad eccentric. So I dismissed it and kept running. 

Fast forward to 2019 when my running coach and friend, Kim Nedeau started raving about her ElliptiGO. I was curious, but not enough to change my opinion of these in-flight magazine-worthy machines. 

And then I bought one.

1 DIPA + 1 DIPA = an ElliptiGO

I’d just finished a 50K that morning and knew I’d need to take more than just a few days to recover. As a running coach myself, I am well aware how critical recovery is, especially after long efforts. I’d built up durability and I’d finished the 50K feeling healthy and injury-free, I still needed rest. But I’d fallen in love with my 2 and 3 hour training runs every weekend and the thought of curtailing my training felt, well, sad. When would I do all my creative thinking? What about those rural roads I love running down?

I was two beers (a double IPA from my favorite local brewery) into celebrating my 50K when my coach texted me. 

“There’s an ElliptiGO on Craigslist, it’s a great deal. You have to get it.” 

Ten minutes later I was the owner of a green ElliptiGO with plans to pick it up the next day.

I’d bought one. But I still wasn’t sold.

Until my first ride.

The First Ride

Once we brought the ElliptiGO home, I did a couple of test spins around the neighborhood, then the next morning borrowed my daughter’s pink and purple tie-died bike helmet and drove the Elliptigo to the rail trail. I rode ten miles that morning and I didn’t want to stop. I was two days out from my 50K and I was getting the same feeling of covering long distances on my feet, but still allowing my body to recover. 

When I got off the ElliptiGO after ten miles I felt better than I had before, I’d increased blood flow to my sore muscles without the pounding of a 4-5 mile run.

I was hooked. 

Getting Faster

Since then I haven’t stopped riding, incorporating 3-4 hours (30-50 miles) of Elliptigo riding each week in addition to my running. That added volume is what has made all the difference. I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in my running and have PR’d in the 5K and half marathon and also snagged an FKT this year since getting the ElliptiGO

I’m fitter and faster than I’ve ever been, but my weekly mileage has remained mostly the same, hovering right around 40 miles each week. I’m running faster times than when I was logging 60-70 miles per week and my body doesn’t feel nearly as beat up. And with just a couple years to go before I hit that masters category, I’d say the less beat up I feel by my training the better. 

See and Be Seen

In addition to seeing tangible improvements in my running, I’ve also had the opportunity to explore where I live on the ElliptiGO in ways I never had before. Granted, I could get to these places on a bike (Fun Fact: riding an ElliptiGO requires 33% more effort than cycling at the same speed), but I love that with the Longstride I’m in an upright posture allowing me to see the scenery without craning my neck. 

I also feel much safer on the ElliptiGO than I would on a bike. It’s high profile and big, you can’t be missed and often people slow way down because they just aren’t sure what they heck they are seeing--there is an advantage to being a little weird;)

The Road Ahead

I’ve said before that I run for the unknown, the road ahead and the opportunity for greatness. The ElliptiGO has certainly helped me along this path, I’ve explored roads that were previously unknown to me, and when my body is needing more recovery from the run I can still get out there on the ElliptiGO. The long rides I take satisfy my craving for being outside for extended efforts. Plus I believe that with adding aerobic volume through the ElliptiGO I truly have a shot at the personal ‘greatness’ (however I define it) that I am always seeking.

-Sarah

Want to know more about the ElliptiGO? Let me know, I’d love to chat.

Drop your name and email in the form and I’ll be in touch.