Hiking vs Trail Running (and how to prevent ankle injuries)

Hiking vs Trail Running (and how to prevent ankle injuries)

The Best of Both Worlds: run down the beach, then hike up the bluffs. Near La Jolla, CA


As spring melted into summer, officially at June 21st 17:16 UTC (or 1:16pm for those of you on the east coast), my desire for trail running also melted some.

OK, it melted a lot... unless of coarse I’m in the cooler reaches above 9000’. 

Well, the only other place I run when it gets really hot and humid is usually on the beach, and that is barefoot, but there are no real trails, and all you need is sunscreen and a bathing suit. 

And maybe a sunglasses and a hat.

And as long as you don’t get bitten by a sand-snake (snag some driftwood) or trip over the toddler while ogling that hottie, the only things that cause injuries while beach running are sunburn and overusing muscles that aren’t used to running in the sand.

And maybe stubbing a toe on the odd rock.

But enough about running.

I find the slower pace of hiking more bearable in the summer heat.  I also I hate carrying hydro-packs while running, all that jiggling up and down, even with every strap pulled tight.

So this way I can stay hydrated… and stop for a snack, or take a picture, or well, try and keep the sweat just short of Niagara Falls proportions.

And lets face it, anywhere above 9000', its usually not that hot, and definitely not that humid.

So to paraphrase my 11th grade English teacher, it is far easier to be “aloof and invite your soul,” or at least solve the world’s problems with your hiking buddy, when you are sedately walking through the glow of the aspens or the fresh scent of the pines than when you are gasping for breath on that last incline.

While some trail runners will sneer at hiking, it can be more extreme than trail running… (Hello AT, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail… each over 2000 miles long, and each takes months to thru-hike).  I’ve never tried to run with a hammock, food, and water, let alone with a tent, sleeping bag, and camp stove, but I can’t imagine that its much fun.  Besides I’m clumsy enough, and have injured my ankles enough, to need ankle braces with a 30-40lb pack to keep from blowing out my notoriously bad ankles when I’m just walking.
Especially when I get tired at the end of the day when carrying a heavy pack.
And, yes that’s one of the reasons I designed the MaxX K Premium Ankle Brace the way I did).
So what do you like to do?  Hike, run, both, or it depends.