Why walking makes you a stronger trail runner
Trail running
For many of the early years of my running career I thought that, if I walked during a run, I wasn’t a proper runner. Why did I think this? It was because, back in the day, that’s what the running club leaders I listened to (who were mostly men), and the media that I consumed, told me.
Of course, they didn’t say overtly that walking during a run was a failure on my part, but my club mates’ disapproving looks when they would have to loop back to gather me up and the editorial that was printed in the magazines, to my memory, never spoke about the fact that most runners – especially trail runners – walk.
The reason I wanted to write about this subject in this month’s column is because, after my 200-mile race in December 2023, I was talking online about the power of walking with purpose during my race. About the fact that walking was, and always is, part of my race strategy to cross the finish line.
In analysing my data from the race, I shared with my social media followers the fact that I walked for more than 50% of the time. Most importantly, I also shared that I felt no shame in this. Not one iota of regret.
This resulted in me being flooded with numerous messages from women who thanked me for helping them to accept that walking during a run didn’t make them less, and didn’t make them an imposter. That, in fact, walking confirmed that they were more of trail runner than they ever believed.
Like a pro
From Courtney Dauwalter to Killian Jornet, Nicky Spinks to Damian Hall, Jasmin Paris to Jim Walmsley, every trail runner walks. Would you disparage any of these elite athletes’ race wins or FKTs (fastest known times) because they walked sections of their event? Because they chose to engage in a way of moving that allowed them greater efficiency, greater speed, and health outcomes. Because walking helps to make them some of the best trail runners on the planet? No, I didn’t think you would – so please stop doing it to yourself.
Walk with purpose
So, why does trail running lend itself to walking? Well, of course, it’s due to the terrain and the variety of ‘trails’ we encounter. Whether it’s a canal towpath or a mountain, a fell race or parkrun, a field or footpath, for many of us runners there will be obstacles to overcome, technical ground to navigate, the odd stile or two to climb.
When you walk during a trail run, you are walking with intent during every step you
