Why I Power Hike

Ask me what my best skill is in a long race and I won't say running. I'll say walking, and I mean fast, deliberate, hands-on-knees walking.

In the ultra world it has a name: power hiking. If you've only ever heard "I had to walk" as an apology, this post is for you.

Walking is a strategy, not a failure

On a steep climb, running and hiking cost almost the same speed but very different amounts of energy. Running burns more fuel and pushes your heart rate up for a small gain in pace. A strong hike gets you to the top nearly as fast, with a lot more left in the tank.

Over a 100-mile race that adds up. Over 250 miles it decides who is still moving on day three.

You don't save your legs by running slower. You save them by choosing where to spend them.

What makes it "power"

• Short, quick steps. Long strides on a steep grade waste energy. Shorten up and keep the turnover high.
• Hands on quads. Pressing on your thighs helps your legs push through each step, and it gives your back a break.
• Lean from the ankles. Fold at the hips and you crush your lungs. Lean into the hill as one line.
• Poles on long climbs. Trekking poles let your arms share the load, which matters when the climbing goes on for hours.
• Practice it. Power hiking is a trained skill. Add steep hill walks and stair climbs to your training and your hiking pace will improve.

Why it fits me

I'm a fast hiker and I'm good at eating on the move. Those two things go together. A steady hike is the best time to eat, drink, and settle your stomach, so I turn every climb into a refueling window. By the top I'm fed and ready to run the next section.

That's the whole plan: hike the climbs, run the flats and downs, and let the food do its work.

How to start

Pick one steep hill near you and hike it at a pace that feels almost too hard to sustain. Then run the easy part after it. Do that once a week, and start planning which parts of your next race are hiking sections, on purpose, before you get there.

It's the same idea behind my race planning spreadsheets: decide your plan in advance, then execute it when you're tired.