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Uphill Running and Power Hiking | Trail Running Basics

Uphill Running and Power Hiking | Trail Running Basics

BY PATH PROJECTS MAY 10, 2019

ENTER TO WIN A PATH PROJECTS OUTFIT, VALUED AT UP TO $173. TO ENTER, LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW: ''WHAT OUTFIT WOULD YOU CHOOSE IF YOU WON (1 PAIR OF SHORTS, BASE LINERS, SHIRT AND HAT'' 1 WINNER WILL BE PICKED AT RANDOM BY 5/14/19. Terms and conditions

Coach Jimmy Dean Freeman breaks down the right ways to position your body for uphill running and power hiking. Trail runners of all levels often use power hiking to shift muscle group. This gives your running systems a break and makes you a stronger, better overall athlete. Learn more about your footing on uneven terrain, dealing with hills, how to position your hips, and more!

 

Uphill running and power hiking

I'm here to talk to you about uphill running. It's a little bit distinct on the trails. So on the roads you're going to find that grades are pretty consistent and your footing is decent. While on the trail you're going to have terrain that is more uneven. The grades change frequently in the middle of a run up a hill.

uphill trail running

Foot placement with trail running

You are going to be a bit more careful about your foot placement, there will be more rocks, roots and ruts to worry about when you're going uphill.

You have to worry more about your effort, less about your pace. When you run uphill, you want to be perpendicular to the horizon. As the terrain changes, you want to stay up right. Think about bringing your hips forward, when you're running and hiking. When you go up a steep grade, it might make sense to switch into a hike or even a power hike. 

What is a power hike?

It's distinct from hiking, where you are leaning forward a bit more. You are a bit more hanged over and you use your hands on your knees to kind of drive yourself up the hill. 

power hiking on a trail

One of the great things about hiking when going uphill, you are shifting muscle groups. You are giving your running systems a break. You are also getting stronger in a hiking sense, which is going to make you a better overall athlete. 

Enter to win PATH projects outfit

ENTER TO WIN A PATH PROJECTS OUTFIT, VALUED AT UP TO $173. TO ENTER, LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW: ''WHAT OUTFIT WOULD YOU CHOOSE IF YOU WON (1 PAIR OF SHORTS, BASE LINERS, SHIRT AND HAT'' 1 WINNER WILL BE PICKED AT RANDOM BY 5/14/19. Terms and conditions

 

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108 comments

Sykes px 5” – black
Tahoe cL 3” base liner – black
Cascade SS T – heather grey
Muir Cap – Grey

David Q,

Sykes px 5” – black
Tahoe cL 3” base liner – black
Cascade SS T – heather grey
Muir Cap – white

Matthew Young,

If I were to lucky enough to win then I’d kindly ask for the Sykes 5" in jet black, the Tahoe CL 8" base liner in frost grey, the Cascade SS T in heather grey and the Muir Cap in black…please! :-)

Harry Melville,

Sykes 5” in Olive Grey (don’t have this color yet), Tahoe 3”, Cascade SS – Olive Grey, Big Bend Trucker – Black

Greg Sisengrath,

Big Bend Trucker Cap – Black
Tahoe CL 5” Base Liner – Black
Graves DA 7” – Light Grey
Cascade SS T – Olive Grey

Richard Cheng,

Sykes PX 7" olive grey, Tahoe CL 8" black, Cascade SS T heather grey, Muir cap charcoal grey

Marlen Wilkins,

Graves DA 7" Blue Black with the TAHOE CL 3” Base Liner in black. The CASCADE SS T Heather Grey tee and the MUIR CAP in charcoal grey.

Evan Rich,

If I won this amazing package Id choose, Cascade SS T /Olive Grey with Prospect PX2 8” Jet Black shorts paired with Tahoe CL 5” base liner/Frost Grey and topped off with a Zion cap/ Frost Grey. Then Id be cruising the trails in cool comfort!

Michael McCloud,

Just the Sykes PX5 in black and the Muir cap. Too hot in central Texas for anything else.

Michael lien,

Sykes PX 5" -Olive Grey
Tahoe CL 5" -Black
Madre T -Heather Grey
Muir Cap -Black

Mike Horton,

Graves DA 7" Blue Black & Shasta HX 8" Black & Cascade SS T Olive Grey & Muir Cap Charcoal Grey

Tony Konvalin,

SYKES PX5" Olive Grey with the TAHOE CL 5" Base Liner in frost grey.
The CASCADE SS Heather Grey tee and the MUIR CAP in charcoal grey.

Lots of grey…

Jonni Remmler,

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