[Brandon MacMullin]

For getting faster on 20 to 30km/1600 to 2000m single day walk up mountaineering and easy grade alpine rock objectives with a day pack would it be better to follow the trail running plan?

I just completed one training block (week 5 to 7) of the 24 week mountaineering plan (old version) and have been thinking of switching to the intro to ultra plan because it has more aerobic volume, speed work and requires less time in the gym. My legs feel pretty sore and slow on runs/hikes now due to the core and general strength in the mountaineering plan.

Thanks in advance.

[Scott Johnston]

All of the top alpinists I have worked with do a lot of running.  It translates over very well to moving slower in the mountains like you will be doing on approaches and long routes.  If you can handle the running volume, then this will be a better approach for you.

Scott

[Brandon MacMullin]

Thanks Scott. I just completed a 25 km, 2100m easy grade alpine rock climb with a pack that weighed 22 lbs. It totally crushed me. As much as I love running, in hindsight neglecting to hike under load left me very unprepared and I have a newfound appreciation for your mountaineering plan 🙂

[Scott Johnston]

It was probably the added weight that was the issue.  Not so much the running per se.  Carrying a 10kg pack adds a muscular endurance element to the you don’t get with normal trail running.

Scott

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