I ran decades then took up hiking. One of the first thing you notice is that in hiking (unlike running) leg length matters. I was a fast runner, but can be outpaced easily by a relatively unfit hiker who has long legs. A runners 'bounce' is not required. It is one thing that annoyed me at first, but as My running slowed with age, hiking seemed like a natural progression. For me, hiking is nowhere near as good as fast running, but it is way better than slow running.
Yes, probably.
I once had a coach who said he either ran or drove. He didn't walk anywhere.
Possibly why he got injured though?
Runners probably wouldn't do much hiking as they would just prefer to run.
The exception might be ultra runners who would incorporate it into their training.
Kvothe wrote:
I like hiking. There isn't a lot of room for it in a serious running schedule though. Hikes make for good dates and provide time to talk, Jamin.
He is rationalizing that he is not getting a date because he dislikes hiking.
Of course, that has nothing to do with hiking.
Enjoy hiking in a different way. Thing about most running is it's a limited time unless it's an ultra, and you're less likely to travel as far for the run. Hiking I could drive 45 mins for an 8 hr hike and day in the hills. I also think it can be complementary.
roller coaster wrote:
Seriousrunnerandhiker wrote:
I love running and hiking my whole life.
These are quite different things and you do them for different reasons.
Does that make me a unserious runner? Probably not.
What is a serious runner anyway?
How many MPW do you run? What are your PRs?
30-40 mpw and a sub 3:10 Marathon PR.
But I have done some running sheit you would never dream about.
Most proud I am of my 1000k PR sub 10 days. Yes, 622 miles.
I think I am an as serious of a runner as an sub 15 min 5k guy here.
Sherpa! wrote:
No, you can definitely do both. I love hiking and also climbing. I've climbed most of the peaks in Washington state and guided on Rainier for a couple of years as well. I've hiked the Wonderland trail and other long hikes in Washington state. Been involved in Search and Rescue since I was 15. Have trekked to the Everest Base Camp as well as the Annapurna Base Camp and also did the Annapurna Circuit. Have climbed smaller peaks in Nepal. Hiking and climbing are a lot of fun. Just make sure you really know what you are doing.
I did some great trekking trips as well. Everest area twice, Ethiopia, Bolivia. At least as much fun as running.
No time for hiking. Simple as that!
Seriousrunnerandhiker wrote:
roller coaster wrote:
How many MPW do you run? What are your PRs?
30-40 mpw and a sub 3:10 Marathon PR.
But I have done some running sheit you would never dream about.
Most proud I am of my 1000k PR sub 10 days. Yes, 622 miles.
I think I am an as serious of a runner as an sub 15 min 5k guy here.
No offense but 30-40 mpw is not serious running, and is under-training for a marathon - and your non-BQ marathon time reflects that.
And, congrats on your impressive 1,000k PR, but 1000 kms in 10 days is essentially hiking, not running, which kinda proves the point.
I would describe you as a serious hiker who dabbles in running.
I actually hate the wilderness, let alone hiking.
I like exercising efficiently though.
Seriousrunnerandhiker wrote:
roller coaster wrote:
How many MPW do you run? What are your PRs?
30-40 mpw and a sub 3:10 Marathon PR.
But I have done some running sheit you would never dream about.
Most proud I am of my 1000k PR sub 10 days. Yes, 622 miles.
I think I am an as serious of a runner as an sub 15 min 5k guy here.
No offense, but that statement is wrong. That’s not even close to being my own subjective opinion either. It’s objective: A 3:00 marathoner (or 2:45 for that matter) is nowhere near serious as a runner like a sub 15 min 5ker.
My friend says the same things. We used to train together, but we have different desires for running. I run at my own pleasure, just because I like it, and he prepares for the competition. And I can also stop to admire nature, and he has a strict schedule.
I don't think this is generally true unless you define as "serious runner" a person that is totally obsessed on only one activity and does nothing else in his life, then your statement is tautologically true.
Personally, I like hiking much more than running and I mostly run to be able to hike challenging routes. I know several people that are runners during the week and hikers during the weekend or the holidays; we often hike together. I am talking about people that run 5-6 times a week, occasionally win local races and usually win their age groups in larger races. I leave it up to you to decide if they would fit your definition of "serious runners".
roller coaster wrote:
No offense but 30-40 mpw is not serious running, and is under-training for a marathon - and your non-BQ marathon time reflects that.
And, congrats on your impressive 1,000k PR, but 1000 kms in 10 days is essentially hiking, not running, which kinda proves the point.
I would describe you as a serious hiker who dabbles in running.
Thanks but what are your PRs? They must be super impressive.
well......... wrote:
Enjoy hiking in a different way. Thing about most running is it's a limited time unless it's an ultra, and you're less likely to travel as far for the run. Hiking I could drive 45 mins for an 8 hr hike and day in the hills. I also think it can be complementary.
Hiking/walking is a great vacation activity that does complement running. Do the morning run, have a hearty breakfast and then hit the trail or explore a city. Roy's Peak in NZ. Delta Lake in Jackson. London.
I love hiking but I rarely go hiking on my own, generally it's more of a social/family activity. I guess the few exceptions are if I'm doing an overnight hike (camping out in remote locations is great) or if the route is too steep/technical to run (generally run the flat/easier sections). I do enjoy the nice views and the challenge of navigating, even if I'm running.
Especially when hiking with unfit people
Of my three best friends, all D1 college runners at two different universities, all of us love hiking and backpacking.
One of us is much more serious and much more talented than the rest and was an All-American in cross country and was top-50 in the Marathon Trials in Atlanta.
jamin wrote:
I would say yes and for the following reasons
* Feels inneficient to them because it takes 5x as long (including drive to trailhead) to ultimately cover the same distance with your legs.
* Serious/obsessive runners avoid any physical activity that isn't running, as they're afraid it steals time/energy from their training cycle and adds injury risk.
* Serious runners are anhedonics, so something like an "epic view of a lake " doesn't activate pleasure centers in their brain.
* Lots of mental overhead involved in memorizing/navigating routes, forks in the road, etc. Runners, if they do hike, want to do it vigorously and be able to zone out and just push forward.
Runner who's just getting into hiking here. Ran in college, still planning on competing in track in the post-covid world. Running up to 90 miles a week when I'm in good shape, most would say I'm very serious.
* It does take longer, but I enjoy being outside all day or for multiple days! You might see some animals or you might see NOBODY which is the best.
* I wouldn't hike anywhere near peak competition, but while I'm racking up miles, I see no harm in taking a few days off and spend them walking up mountains. Think of it like cross training.
* Nope
* Looking at maps and learning trails is something I love. Even when I'm trail running, I think it's fun to get a little mixed up and have to figure out where I am.
It also allows me to spend time outside with friends who aren't fit enough to do a run with me.
If the trail is not technical then I always think I could do it faster running. However with the family it makes for good kid bonding time and if it’s very technical or with cliffs, big rocks, etc...running would prob be super dangerous, so hiking is more fun
Bulk Hogan wrote:
It’s objective: A 3:00 marathoner (or 2:45 for that matter) is nowhere near serious as a runner like a sub 15 min 5ker.
As a guy who has run (barely) sub 15, I’ll bite.
I love hiking, backpacking, and pretty much anything outdoors. To me, they are almost completely unrelated sports. Running hard workouts and building towards a race is a very different feeling from hiking for 5+ hours. Running is primarily an internal activity: it’s about your body, your fitness, and your progression. Hiking is external: it’s about experiencing the world and finding your place within it.
You might as well start a thread about whether or not runners like playing chess.
I think a lot of the “runners” who hate hiking are the type who care more about Instagram and Strava posts than performance. Hating hiking and hikers is more about ego than anything else.