Re: [pct-l] Slow training

["John Vonhof" <vonhof@pacbell.net>]

Tom in Sacramento asked (a while back),
> Are there any thoughts on running as a pre-conditioner to a distance hike?

In the ultra world, the advice is that if you are going to do a 100-mile
trail run, you need to run trails, If the event is a 24-hour track run, you
can run on roads or track. If on the flats, then running in the flats is OK.
In other words, your training should be  event specific.

Now, don't get me wrong. Any running, even on flats, is going to help when
you start hiking, but training specific to what you will be doing will help
you more. In 1988, I was trying my third effort at the western States
100-Mile Endurance Run and I had the worst training in the six-months
leading up to the run--only about 750 miles. By all rights, I should not
have finished.  But I ran a great event, setting a personal best by over 1
1/2 hours. How? My training consisted of long runs up and down two local
hills. One hill was up 2500 feet in four miles, and down the other side
another 2500 feet in six miles, and then back again. The other was up and
down about eight miles each way with over 3000 feet of constant elevation
change each way. Training specific.

So, to make a long story short, running will help, but running on hills will
help more. And fast hiking, or simply hiking is just as good.

John Vonhof
vonhof@pacbell.net
FIXING YOUR FEET: Preventive Maintenance and Treatments for Foot Problems of
Runners, Hikers, and Adventure Racers
http://www.footworkpub.com/feet


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