hiking Sulphur Mountain

Minotaur training: Working on my hiking skills

I will let you in on a little secret.

To those of you who haven’t done any trail running, hiking can be a big part of it – especially on a long day steep and technical trails or in a big race.

Back in 2013 when I started trail running, I read Relentless Forward Progress by Byron Powell. It was my “how to” guide to all things ultra and trail running. I was super nervous for my first 50K race – the Blackfoot Ultra. And it gave me everything I needed to run my first big trail race. I had trained with my dearly departed pal Mark but I am such a keener. I had to read everything and listen to every podcast about ultra running.

The book is well-organized with chapters on everything you need to know from pacing, course specific training, recovery, running hills and much more. It is this book that I pick up whenever I start a new training program, when I need to focus and regroup or just a little nudge.

While it’s been 10 years since I started trail/ultra running, you’d think it I’d have figured out the winning formula. I don’t. Sometimes – like anything in life – you have to take a step back and look at the big picture when considering new goals or challenges.

I have Meet the Minotaur coming up in June. It’s not a pure running race per se and there will be a lot of fast-paced hiking involved. I am not a fast-hiker, and my up hill running needs a lot work. (This race scares me.)

So coupled with strength training this winter, I have been working on my hiking skills. This involves the usual hike every mountain every weekend. Also I have been doing David Roche’s three-minute mountain legs for at least a year now.

hiking Sulphur Mountain

I recently set out for a double at Sulphur Mountain. I did a triple in December and I was so sore after! This time I had a strategy. First ascent: hike at a moderate pace up then jog down. I would save my energy for the second summit and attack it with whatever I had left.

Looking at my stats after, I was pretty even on both ascents. I ran “fast’ down the second time and Strava tells me I set a few PRs.

Now I can’t tell you if I am getting any more efficient at hiking. I continue to prod away and get in the vert every weekend. I can tell you that I feel stronger (definitely not faster) and my recovery time is decreasing aka I am not stiff for three days after a big weekend. Of course this could be the result of a half a dozen things (daily mobility and yoga work or focused strength training) but I am feeling good where I am right now with my training.

January and February have always been chill training months for me.

I am looking forward to spending time on the trails with my friends and exploring new places in 2023 – in order to do this, I have to listen to my body and train smart.

What are you working on this winter? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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