In order to explain why I am searching for your opinion, I think I need to first explain my latest workout schedule. I officially drank the Crossfit Kool-Aid, so I have been visiting Big Horn Crossfit three times per week. In addition to that, I have been running three days a week in order to continue training for my Haiti marathon in January. These three runs are pretty solid runs, and my long run always happens on the weekend. Of course, they are also supplemented with a couple miles that I put in each week during my Crossfit workouts, but for the sake of this conversation, that doesn’t really matter.
But here’s the deal: I am in a quandary this weekend and I don’t know what to do!
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| Everyone needs an awful self-photo from time to time! |
You see, I was planning on doing my long run on Saturday morning and taking Sunday as my weekly rest day. Since I’m effectively starting from scratch, my long run this week will only be 6-7 miles, but it’s all about baby steps, right? However, I got an email from Cindy two days ago, asking me if I wanted to hike Mt. Sherman with them on Saturday morning. Sherman is another 14er here in Colorado, and although I’ve summitted the peak well over six times, I jumped at the opportunity. Elevations above 9000 feet are supposed to get a foot of snow tomorrow (!), and I’d love a chance to get a snow ascent under my belt. I haven’t done a winter hike of a 14er in years and they’re always fun. Nothing like a white winter wonderland to make you feel like ski season is coming! (Besides, Tally would love a snowy day in the mountains!)
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| My lil’ furball playing in the snow |
Obviously, if I hike on Saturday, I won’t be running– I am definitely not that bionic. I could push the run to Sunday, but then I start a whole new week on Monday which means I would have zero rest days for two weeks. No bueno. So here is my question: we all know hiking counts as excellent cross training for running, but can it possibly take the place of a run?
I get the obvious argument: no, hiking is not running so it doesn’t count. Period. And I wouldn’t even consider making the swap if it was longer, double-digit run. However, I’m considering the possibility since it is only 6 miles. I mean, it’s the same movement and the same muscles, right?
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What’s your take: can hiking ever take the place of a run with the same benefits or am I crazy?
Why aren’t there more days in a week for me to fit everything in the way I want to?
15 Comments
I truly believe that any pace is a good pace. So hiking falls under that category. You benefit from walking 10 miles as you benefit from running 10 miles, just takes longer! I am sure you benefit more from the run but really at the end of the day it is still exercise. Now which trumps which I can’t say. I do know that mixing the two and going trail running is the ultimate for me!
Can you move your long run to one of your run days during the week and still take Sunday as a rest day? (As in do your 6 miler today or tomorrow?)
Running and hiking are sorta the same…but for me, actually RUNNING that long run makes a big difference. I can get away with swapping in the hike for a shorter run but not my “long run” (however long or longer it might be at the time).
Hiking. Your gonna get some great stair master action with that hike.
Go for the hike – snow ascent of a fourteener trumps a run any day! And adventures trump training, especially when they technically are training. 😉
Hiking does count toward a run…especially at elevation, and in snow! And if we manage to get some decent mileage in tonight – even if its stop/go – that should help cushion against the longer run you had planned for the weekend. Start fresh on Monday – it’ll be fine with training and you’ll be able to just start all over mentally too {a big deal for my little brain}.
Go for the hike. Even if you had to do a 20 miler, I think the hike would be just as good if not better for cardiovascular building. You will strenuously be on your feet for hours. Do it!
A couple years ago I would’ve said, “you gotta run.” Now, I say go have a good time and live in the moment. It will all wash out in the end.
I am with everyone else. Go for the hike, 14 miles of hiking at high elevation surely counts for something and this early in the training I don’t think will make that much of a difference anyway.
I struggle with this as well because we hike so much. I think for your purposes.. you are replacing a 6 mile run with a how many hour hike? This will be a “time on your feet” sort of day. If you are really interested in making it “equal”.. do some up and backs where you pull ahead and get the heart rate going and then head back to the group and repeat…
I think hiking totally counts, so I say go for the 14er! During my marathon training – which tends to be during the precious summer backpacking months – my long runs compete for attention with backpacking trips. My heart lies in the mountains, so I’m not about to miss a backpacking trip for a long run (except the 18 and 20 milers). So about 25% of the time, I choose hiking over the long runs, and every marathon has turned out fine for me! Have fun up there! Can’t wait to hear about it!
I think that particular hiking/running exchange totally works! Plus, the hike would be waaaay more fun. Enjoy the snow! Our mountain tops are still dry.
Not sure I’d hike a 14 with the winter storm warning they are forecasting for the mountains. But I totally think you could do it of anyone could.
Time on feet counts – it might not be an exact swap, but it definitely counts!
I don’t think that your hike is 100% the equivalent of your run, but I definately think it’s OK to skip the run to go hike!
With the elevation gain, your heart beat will obviously go up, so your cardio will get a workout. Your legs will also get a workout (hiking = stairmaster, kind of).
You just won’t get the constant impact you would during running, but then again downhill hiking involves huge impacts…!
I would choose hiking over running any day 🙂
Thank you! I struggled too today. I am early in my training and a five Mile was scheduled today, but I did an arduous five Mile power hike yesterday. Still debating on it but at least I feel better about not going, if that becomes my choice. Time of month has got me all feeling ugh. That is my excuse.