10k of hills

[Runsome]

Hi all just thought I’d share the hills on my first 10k today. I’m fine going up all be it slowly a young lad overtook me walking. but coming down I can’t get the hang of it and everyone runs past me I loose so much time☹️

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

Don't worry about losing time - you are going to lose that even if you don't run!!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Oh good grief! 😳 You are superhuman Runsome. Amazing stuff! Those hills! 💪🏃

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

They are a bit steep. I had a club runner pass me and said they would never have done it if they had known how steep the hills were and will never do it again . But the buzz I got on crossing the line made it all worth while it was fantastic 😀👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Good for you! Bet you’re still buzzing!!👏👏

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes I am but I think that will soon change to snoring 💤 and I dare say will change to a little bit of aching in the morning. But who cares if it was easy none of us on here would want to do this running thing.😀😀😀

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Going uphill, gravity slows you down and you lose your breath. Coming down again, it's fear that you'll lose control that puts the brakes on. Lots of hillwalkers, me included, prefer up to down for that reason. If a hill you're going up is OK at first but eventually reduces you to a walk, coming down that hill again you should be able to run fine - maybe slow your cadence a bit and let your stride length increase, which it will naturally. But if it's the sort of hill that immediately reduces you to a walk going up, to run down requires you to disengage your brain and literally bound down ("galumphing", if you ever read Swallows and Amazons - kids do it no problem). If it's too steep for you to do that, you can only do it sensibly one step at a time, planting your heel first, which means you walk or risk your knees becoming shot.

I calculate the average gradient on that run is about 1 in 25, which is a horrid up angle, but probably OK down - if it was a steady 1 in 25 all the way. But obviously it isn't, and lots of the down is obviously outside your comfort zone for brain disengagement. The people who passed you clearly have less sense

Best I can do to answer the original question, sorry!

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thanks I will try your advice if all else fails I will disengage my brain 🧠 😀👍

[Saartjie Graduate10]

Wow those hills! 😱😱😱 Well done you for even finishing that one! Congratulations and kudos to you 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

That’s an incredible run, those peaks look horrendous to me, well done indeed.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Running downhill is harder on your joints than running uphill. If you can, try runnng in a zig zag downhill. It breaks up the slope. Alternatively, bring out your inner child and just go for it - wheeeeeeeee

But well done on your first 10K! Always memorable 🙂

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks I like the wheeeeee plan😀

[MutleyShuffle Graduate10]

Hey Runsome, I was there too! We may have huffed and puffed past each other! It was only my 3rd 10k and the first two were on the seafront - nice and flat! - so that was a tough one. But an amazing feeling to finish it!

I find running fast downhill difficult too, mainly as I have a fear of slipping, but I find the more I do hills the more relaxed I am about it.

Practice makes perfect (well slightly less imperfect!) 😁

Happy Running!

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Hi MutleyShuffle it’s good to know you were there too. you probably were way in front of me I finished near the back but enjoyed the whole thing. I will practice my downhills hopefully I can work it out when I was a kid I would have sprinted down but now I’m not so sure😀

[MutleyShuffle Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

I enjoyed it too, great atmosphere! I don't think I was that far away from you, I am not speedy!

Yes, as we get older I think we get more cautious about movement in general. Hopefully this running lark will be good for our confidence! 😁

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Yes I think your right 😀

[misswobble Graduate10]

Come down under control! Never mind what others are doing. you have to be dead careful coming down as your knee cap can slide too far forward and then you're in the poo Is there any particular hurry? You can lean slightly forward as that helps, as do elbows out kinda stance as they act like stabilisers

Once your legs are toughened up and you've been running for a longer time then that's different but if you are a newish runner, I'd be very careful about an all-out charge downhill

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble good advice, I didn’t take into account the experience of others and leg strength as your right I am new to running all I could see was everyone else walking up hill and running fast down them which was a bit disheartening as I ran up every one only to catch up to the walkers and then they ran off again on the downhill but as you say I’m a newish runner so I guess I get the hang of it😀

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

practice hill running by yourself so you’re not tempted to go off too quick Find a long slope to start with 👍💪

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

I’ve had a few goes as I knew this 10k was hilly but you right practice makes perfect 👍😀

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Small steps and go slow 💪👍😃

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Wow! Great hills Runsome! I struggle with finding my rhythm down hill as well and really dislike the feeling of being out of control. My hills are on trails but I kind of do a run- hop kind of gallop on the way down. It allows me to keep my body perpendicular to the ground instead of my natural desire to lean back and put on the brakes which hurts the knees.

Like MutleyShuffle said, practice makes perfect! Embrace the hills and do it again 🙃

[Runsome Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I will love those hills even if it kills me (which it might) 😀

[Whatsapp Graduate10]

Missed this post as I don't tend to frequent this forum much. I usually hang out in the race support and marathon area (never done a marathon though). I did this run too. I was not expecting so many hills (should have done more research), and I was disappointed by the staff at Northiam refusing to let people use the station toilets which led to a delay in starting. So I'm not sure whether its 'never again', or 'I'll be back'.

That said I did hear some advice on the hills from a coupld running behind me. He told his companion just to widen stride length on the down hills, but keep the same rhythm. Tha way you cover more ground (e.g. move faster) without expending any more energy.