How can I run up hills if there are no hills? - Bridge to 10K

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How can I run up hills if there are no hills?

SlowyMcSlowlegs profile image
9 Replies

I read a few things that say that running up hills helps you develop as a runner but I simply don't have any hills near me. I live in the Netherlands and it really is ultra flat. There are a few slopes but they will take about 15 seconds to jog up. Any ideas? Should I join the gym so I can use the treadmill which can then give my an incline?

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SlowyMcSlowlegs profile image
SlowyMcSlowlegs
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9 Replies
Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappGraduate10

I too have no hills nearby. A couple of weeks ago I got caught out by a load of hills in a race I had entered. I realised I had two choices:

1. drive to a new location with hills and run there once a week, or;

2. not to enter races that are very hilly.

I opted for 2. Hills are good training, especially for running on hills, but as I don't run on hills I find it easier just to let this one go.

SlowyMcSlowlegs profile image
SlowyMcSlowlegs in reply toWhatsapp

Thanks. I think the nearest hills are at least an hour drive...I'm not that sort of dedicated runner! At least if I enter races here in the Netherlands, they won't have hills but once we move back to the UK next year I can go up and down the hills near my home.

roseabi profile image
roseabi

Stairs. Less fun, but harder than hills 😊

Also, high intensity interval runs and workouts will help. And strength training.

SlowyMcSlowlegs profile image
SlowyMcSlowlegs in reply toroseabi

Thank you. Great suggestions.

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10

I live in the fens(flatlands drained very much like much of holland). In fact much of the fens was drained by the dutch brought over by william of orange I think. There is definitely a dutch verancular to the buildings around st ives and other fen towns. All that aside, i'm in a similar boat, but do find all the work I do on the step climber at the gym and squats/leg press etc does mean when I do hit a hill, I don't find them too bad. Again running on the treadmill is a great way to program in controllable hill repeat intervals.

You could try running pulling a tyre or pushing a sled like many sprinters train with.

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

That sounds over the top to me. Do you have to have 3 kids on the sled too?

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10

Doing intervals is fab too.... I think it’s best to work with what you have 😎

SlowyMcSlowlegs profile image
SlowyMcSlowlegs

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. I had visions of having to run up and down the underpass about 100 times per week! Where I lived in the UK was hilly and Box Hill was only a 10 minute drive away. Blimey I miss landscapes that aren't just flat!! Thanks again.

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10 in reply toSlowyMcSlowlegs

When you get back and start having to run up hills you might miss the Netherlands...

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