Is It Actually Worth It To Run Uphill?

Brendan Leonard

This article originally appeared on Trail Runner

You know the feeling: You're running on a trail,
(All illustrations: Brendan Leonard)
it starts to head uphill, you keep running,
it starts to head uphill, you keep running,
it gets steeper, you keep running, but more slowly,
it gets steeper, you keep running, but more slowly,
it gets steeper, you keep running, but you're out of breath, you're pretty sure your heart rate is ~400 BPM, your stride length has shortened to what feels like three inches,
it gets steeper, you keep running, but you're out of breath, you're pretty sure your heart rate is ~400 BPM, your stride length has shortened to what feels like three inches,
And, hold on--wouldn't it be faster to just walk this part? One voice in your head says
And, hold on--wouldn't it be faster to just walk this part? One voice in your head says
I'll tell you what I do, and it has nothing to do with speed, efficiency, how I look, or even common sense. I keep running. Some days--not every day, but many days--I just want to see if I can run all the way to the top.
I'll tell you what I do, and it has nothing to do with speed, efficiency, how I look, or even common sense. I keep running. Some days--not every day, but many days--I just want to see if I can run all the way to the top.
So I grind out one million three-inch steps, clocking a 16-minute mile, or an 18-minute mile, unable to hear anything over the sound of my own wheezing, but I am still swinging my arms and bouncing off the balls of my feet, so that's running, right? Hold on. Let's go at this from from the opposite direction: What's walking?
So I grind out one million three-inch steps, clocking a 16-minute mile, or an 18-minute mile, unable to hear anything over the sound of my own wheezing, but I am still swinging my arms and bouncing off the balls of my feet, so that's running, right? Hold on. Let's go at this from from the opposite direction: What's walking?
According to USA Track and Field and Olympic rules,
According to USA Track and Field and Olympic rules,
So I slog uphill, moving so slowly that you might say to someone,
So I slog uphill, moving so slowly that you might say to someone,

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.

Recommended Stories