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Aerobic workouts vs training hikes
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This is more me thinking out loud, but if someone could let me know if I’m on the right track in terms of thinking/strategy, I’d appreciate it.
Based on my Aerobic Threshold Test, I have some work to do in terms of ADS. The top of my zone 2 is 120 and based on a recent hike I went on, anything vertical quickly pushes my HR up above that, even at a very slow pace.
I am training using the 16 week Mountaineering plan with my big climb just 17 weeks away. Traditionally, I would tackle the season by working my way up to it via higher and longer trails and heavier packs. But given my goal is not just get through my climb but to thrive, I realize that this isn’t the best way.
Based on the plan, I should replace my training hikes with elevated treadmill time. Hikes I do go on, I should target flatter, shorter, and unweighted until my zone 2 HR can handle bigger challenges. The hard part to wrap my head around: The 2 hour elevated treadmill at HR 2 will do more for me in the long run than the 4 hour 3k feet hike.
Do I have this right?
Assuming you have recently completed an AnT test and the spread between your AeT and AnT is >10%, you may indeed have some work to do in terms of improving your aerobic facilities. If you suspect your AeT is low relative to your AnT, it would be best to confirm where your AnT is at.
If improving aerobic fitness is the top priority, then there will be no substitute for getting the aerobic volume up in a gradual steady progression. Generally, keeping it sport specific can be best so hiking is great as would be the incline tread. Working in some specific muscular endurance work will also be a big help and this is programmed into your plan after establishing a solid strength base.
If you good access to steeper terrain for hikes, I’d be inclined to use this for your longer aerobic session but modulate the pace as best as you can to keep the session below AeT – you may just need to go even slower on the uphills. You can of course sub these outdoor sessions out for incline tread or stair master sessions, however there are some drawbacks. The main disadvantage (but in some cases advantage) is you will miss out on the downhill portion by using a machine which is important to help build durability with descending (a key part of mountaineering).
My suggestion would be to keep the recovery workouts and prescribed ‘Flats’ sessions done with minimal to no elevation and the ‘Hilly Terrain’ workouts done as suggested. The midweek Z2 workout could be a good one to do on a machine. The reason we like to alternate between hilly and flat terrain is simply to give the legs a break while continuing build out the aerobic capacity. In the early weeks of your program I would certainly suggest you keep any extra weight to an absolute minimum for the aerobic work.
Four hours in zone 2 hiking will be better than two hours in zone 2 on the tread. The challenge for you may just be slowing down the pace enough while hiking to keep it in zone 2. Perhaps avoiding really steep inclines for now will make this easier as will avoiding to carry any additional weight.
Hopefully that helps.
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