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?