[Csaba]

Hi!

I always wondered that what kind of training effect and benefit hiking has for runners. I was a hiker before I started to transition to running, and I noticed that I can handle hikes way easier than before as my endurance improved with running. I still wonder if I go to hiking, if it adds any benefit for running. As it mostly very low intensity, it doesn’t even reach Zone1 – only on uphills. Does it improve anything, like muscular endurance? Like going for a 50k hike and being on foot ~10hours, does it improve fatigue resistance for example? or maybe even Base?

Thanks,
Csaba

Topic

[matt.n.wells]

matt.n.wells on June 13, 2023 at 9:53 am #78842

I’m wondering about this as well. I live in a pretty hilly area and a lot of my runs included a ton of uphill hiking.

[Alyssa Clark]

Alyssa Clark on June 28, 2023 at 9:56 am #79093

Hiking during your running absolutely acts as a training affect. I don’t think there are many trail runners who don’t hike during runs if they live in a mountainous area. As far as extra hiking without running, it is somewhat of a stimulus, but not a direct substitute. It is good time on feet and should weigh into your training as discounting it could lead to overtraining or underperforming due to higher fatigue. That being said, it shouldn’t be a direct substitute for your running workouts.