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.