Initial Strength Building Makes Trail Running Easier

Five years later, we go back to the Grand Canyon. And this time around, we do some training in advance because we don’t want to be the post-hike wimps we were the first time around, when even a gentle declining sidewalk made us beg for mercy.

Discovering Mount Pelion as Our Training Ground

There’s this place near home called Mount Pelion. It’s not an actual mountain, but you can get some serious training in because it’s so steep.

At first, we would just go and walk up to the top and back down. Then maybe next time, we’d go up and down three times.

The first part is a steep roadway, then you’re climbing rock-hewn steps. And when you finally get to the top, there are five flights of stairs up a tower.

And then, of course, you do it all in reverse.

Downhill Training Is Crucial

It often feels like going up is harder. But it still takes something to go down.

The day after our first Grand Canyon hike, the most pain came when we had to walk down even a gentle slope. Which means that, if anything, the muscles we need to train are the ones that take us down.

Progressive Training with Heavy Backpacks

By the end, we’re going up and down ten times, wearing heavy backpacks as we would at the Grand Canyon.

So when we get there the second time, it’s actually a pretty easy and enjoyable hike.

The Initial Strength Building Makes Trail Running Easier

Look—so many of us as adults, if we haven’t kept up with it, the first time we try to hike the Canyon or go for a trail run or start a learn-to-run program, we’re asking our bodies and legs to do something they maybe haven’t done in 20 years.

But once you’ve developed some initial leg strength, it gets easier. It’s still a challenge—but not the impossible challenge it first seemed.

Why Running Stays Hard for Some People

For some of us, running is always kind of hard because we don’t do it often enough for it to become easy.

Mental Attitude Determines Perceived Difficulty

And part of it is mental.

For some people, everything—even the easy things—will always feel hard. And for others, everything—even the hard things—will feel manageable.

Was it a challenge? Were there obstacles? Did I get injured? Sure. What’s your point?

“Easy” or “hard” aren’t even really in their vocabulary.

The Difference Between First Attempts and Developed Capability

But when I say easier, I’m talking about the difference between the first time an infant pulls themselves up and tries to take steps, and when they’re three years old, running around.

I’m talking about the difference between the first time Naomi and I hiked the Grand Canyon and the second time.

And I’m talking about the difference between the first day of my learn-to-run program and a 3K obstacle course through trails.

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Mat Coker is a trail running photographer in Ontario, Canada.