Although I sometimes drive to the start of a run, many times I just run from the house. I've got quite a few routes that I do but there's one direction I've just not been prepared to try... Until now.
Tonight (Week 2 Run 3 of my second trip through the B210k plan) I turned UPHILL for the first time. It's not a steep hill but it's quite long and I was convinced it was beyond me. Turns out it's not! Woohoo!! So happy.
I am approaching one year since I started this running lark and I think I'm finally ready to start to conquer hill-phobia.
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AnneDroid
Graduate10
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I'm just now approaching 2 yrs and still have hill-o-phobia. But you're right it's a step when you start trying them here and there. Part of my fear is that a hill will 'ruin' a run. But the sense of achievement is definitely worth it
ATTACK those hills !!! Don't endure them - don't plod up them!! Run AT them until you are exhausted - then walk and recover until you can attack them again - pretty soon you will arrive at the top.
Hills are good for you! There's such a list of technique points to remember ( head up, shoulders down, pump the elbows, short steps...), that by the time you have been through them all, you will be at least half way up the hill.
I found setting myself a target number of steps that I would run (before I allowed myself to even think about walking) helped. Then the next run, I would increase the number until I got over the hill! Just remember to slow your breathing down again once you have crested the hill. Have fun!
When I was a young boy my dad used to tell me "you can do twice as much as you think you can... and three times as much as your mum will let you!". Well, you have just proven that you can do more than you think, and it's great! Congratulations Anne!
I was where you are. A long hill is a good choice. You can break it down into three or four parts if needs be. As you slowly climb, chugging along, occasionally checking if you are near the top, you feel empowered, grinning probably. When you get near the top it's as if you conquered Everest 😀
Running uphill, however slowly, you will notice if you put your flat hand on your abs you notice just how engaged they are. Great way of toning up your middle.
I think running strongly uphill is easier for men as they are much stronger in the upper body. You notice this in races when you see women walking the hills and blokes generally not 🙂 You get fitter the more you run them though. No doubt about it 😊
Thanks everyone! I knew people here would be more excited for me than other people I might tell!
I think where I went wrong with the whole hill thing was going for short and steep - on the basis that they would be over (literally!) more quickly. But of course they were TOO steep and defeated and discouraged me, and made me just try to avoid them.
Long slow gradients would probably have been a much better idea, in retrospect.
I am registered for the Balmoral 10k in April and it apparently includes "A Big Hill", so it's certainly time to man up, or indeed Anne up, and get on with it.
I have to run hills where I live. Try focusing 10mts ahead, you will realise that's not much of a hill, run it ( with technique 😃) then aim another 10mts ahead and repeat. Try not to stop running if you can. The hill will appear much less steep and far more do-able .
Always aim over the brow, do not stop on the brow. When you go over it feels so much easier going down hill you are much more likely to carry on running.
Enjoy those pesky hills, they open up so many more routes🏃🏼♀️😃
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