Running Vs Walking up Hill

[courtney.rennie]

I have noticed that sometimes I can walk uphill just as fast I can run or shuffle uphill.  Perhaps I shouldn't admit this but while running with the gang on the Salty Dog course on Sat I was in the back of the crowd.  I found that it took more effort to shuffle up (meaning continue to run) than to walk.  So I walked up a lot of the ups and kept up with everyone.   Is walking bad?

[Andrew]

Walking is excellent!!! It gives many of the benefits in terms of cardioresp training with a lower potential for injury to the to muscle/tendon units.

However...the goal for the trail run was t develop faster feet, which was identified as one of your weaknesses. SO, walking will take away an opportunity to work on what you need most.

Here is a suggestion. If you find a hill to steep to maintain cadence and low intensity, then by all means walk it. Watch your HR, and see if you can keep it where you want in order to stimulate cardioresp changes. The really focus on the cadence on the flats and downhill. YOu can develop enough over time to control cadence on all terrain. At the moment, do the parts you can, and recognize all activity has some benefit, but perhaps not the benefit you are looking for.