backpacking as marathon cross-training / in base phase

I can't provide any scientific studies or evidence, but I'm happy to provide my own anecdotal experiences.

I went on a 1 week backcountry hike in late-August 2017, similar to your trip but a little lower in elevation. I had averaged about 80mpw throughout July and August up to that point, taking a 0 week for the hike.

I felt, at best, I maintained my fitness. It was tough terrain and I like to go at a quick pace when hiking. My goal marathon was in November, so less than 3 months later. The only "hiccup" I found was that the first few days back into the marathon grind were a bit tough, due to the intense descent over the last 1-2 days of the hike. My quads were shredded and it lead to some sore running. But I ran 2:29 (which was my goal), so it couldn't have had too big of an effect.

In simpler terms, given the big gap of time between the end of your trip and your tentative goal race, I wouldn't worry about losing any fitness with your training. Just enjoy the trip and not having to put in miles for a short spell.

Coincidentally, I find myself in the same situation now... having just returned from a week-long bikepacking trip in the mountains and with a "goal race" in mid-September.

Just noticing that your trip is 4 weeks in duration. Wow, that's a doozy.

My outlook is still the same. You'd have 8-10 weeks to put in some solid work after the trip. Go for it.

Thanks, very helpful to have at least one other perspective on this.

I will be interested to know what it will do to my endurance. For example, how will a 20M run feel after hiking an average of 20 miles a day over rough terrain with a pack on my back. Different physical demands, of course, but there is some overlap. We will see.

And we'll see if any marathons happen. It would be a shame to shorten or not plan a trip like this in anticipation of yet another canceled race.

Whoa! 30-45lb backpack!?! You need to research how to backpack! That is crazy weight! Stop thinking old school boy scout backpacking & check-out ultralight backpacking! You should be able to get down to around 15lb backpack without losing creature comforts of backpacking & camping!

Check out Z-Packs for some light backpacks, tent, & sleeping bags. (But, for sleeping bag, I'd look into Enlightened Equipment.) But, those "Big 3" could get down to as light as 3lbs!

As for hiking to running, I think you do work muscles & cardio from hiking, but it's not quite the same. But, you should be able to ramp back up pretty quickly when you return to your day-to-day life.

Injury prevention, strength and overall fitness/aerobic base you see huge benefits. Running specific fitness is very limited unless you are running down the trail a lot. Amazing secret training tool, but probably wouldn't recommend close to a race.

Thanks, everyone.

Experienced Backpacker: that's weight with food. I don't like to resupply too often, so the heaviest trail weights I'll experience will include almost 20lb of food (1.8-2.0lb/day at 140cal/oz) as well as some water. Now you are correct in assuming that my base weight is not as low as it can get, but it's probably around 15lb or so. I'm carrying some shared gear for intermittent hiking partners as well - they're a bit less experienced in either sport, and we're trying to maximize collective comfort.

Would be fun to do some fastpacking at some point, but that's not this trip. It will be interesting to compare perceived effort on similar runs and workouts pre- and post-trip.

Where are you going for a month at 10k+ ft? That would be hard to maintain in the continental US! 15 lb base weight is fine for a long trip at altitude like that IMO.

marathoner & backpacker wrote:

Thanks, everyone.

Experienced Backpacker: that's weight with food. I don't like to resupply too often, so the heaviest trail weights I'll experience will include almost 20lb of food (1.8-2.0lb/day at 140cal/oz) as well as some water. Now you are correct in assuming that my base weight is not as low as it can get, but it's probably around 15lb or so. I'm carrying some shared gear for intermittent hiking partners as well - they're a bit less experienced in either sport, and we're trying to maximize collective comfort.

Would be fun to do some fastpacking at some point, but that's not this trip. It will be interesting to compare perceived effort on similar runs and workouts pre- and post-trip.

Yeah, it's been a bit difficult to find enough territory. But four weeks in the Sierra Nevada is about the best option - and that's what I'm doing. Kings Canyon, Sequoia, up to Whitney, Inyo NF, Yosemite . . . there are bits below 10k', but a great deal of it is high elevation.