How to Power Hike and Run Uphills? | Trail Running Basics by PATH projects

Coach Jimmy Dean Freeman breaks down the right ways to position your body for uphill running and power hiking. Even seasoned trail runners often use power hiking to shift muscle group. This gives your running systems a break and makes you a stronger, better overall athlete.
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I'm here to talk to you about uphill running. It's a little bit distinct on the trails. So on the roads you're going to find that grades are pretty consistent and your footing is decent. While on the trail you're going to have terrain that is more uneven. The grades change frequently in the middle of a run up a hill.

You are going to be a bit more careful about your foot placement, there will be more rocks, roots and ruts to worry about when you're going uphill.

You have to worry more about your effort, less about your pace. When you run uphill, you want to be perpendicular to the horizon. As the terrain changes, you want to stay up right. Think about bringing your hips forward, when you're running and hiking. When you go up a steep grade, it might make sense to switch into a hike or even a power hike.

What is a power hike? It's distinct from hiking, where you are leaning forward a bit more. You are a bit more hanged over and you use your hands on your knees to kind of drive yourself up the hill.

One of the great things about hiking when going uphill, you are shifting muscle groups. You are giving your running systems a break. You are also getting stronger in a hiking sense, which is going to make you a better overall athlete.

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