To take to the hills... or not?

[MCR73]

Hello. I've just graduated on the C25K - literally, did my 3rd 30 min run on Tuesday. I did my local parkrun last weekend, as W9R2 - completed it in 38:14, really struggled from about 3.5km (my standard 30mins distance) to 4.5km, but did it. That parkrun is flat and I have done all my running so far on the flat.

So, to the question. I am staying with friends this week as I'm having work done in my flat. They want me to do their local parkrun on Saturday (they have been really encouraging of my running and travelled to my part of town to do my local parkrun with me last week). I'm really worried about it though as it is hilly (it's Hampstead Heath if anyone knows it). I'm worried because I doubt my ability to run it all, because I know my time will be slower than last week and I wanted to increase my parkrun speed over time, and because I don't want to risk being put off or dispirited when I am feeling quite pleased with myself at the moment.

What do people think? What would you do?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Go.. and walk if you need to

[Hidden]

Just see how you go. Loads of people walk part of park runs. If you decide to run up some of the hilly bits, small steps and lean into it slightly. Remember what goes up has to come down, so you can make up some time there 😊

[roseabi]

We all make allowances for hills - stopping and walking is fine 😊 And then there's the downhill bits which are awesome!!! It doesn't matter about your parkrun pb - you can work on that back at home. You will have a pb for Hampstead Heath, and this will show up separately on your parkrun page. Parkrun tourism is brilliant - have fun with your friends!

Also, do you use Strava? It has a feature called GAP (Grade Adjusted Pace), which tells you how fast you would be if your hilly run were flat, just sayin' 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

I think you should take part in that parkrun, you don't need to run all of it, especially the hilly parts, by the way congratulations on completing C25K with week 9 run 3 on Tuesday. To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE next to your username leave a message on the October graduate post in the pinned posts on the right side of the healthunlocked C25K home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3.

[misswobble Graduate10]

I’d do it and take my time. It’s about having fun Getting up hills has to be tackled slowly with smaller steps 😃

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

I would do it. A change of scenery is always good and if you have to slow down to go up the hills, so what? If you can’t bear to walk, try a really slow jog then speed up a bit on the inevitable downhill bits. Enjoy!

[MCR73]

You lot rock - thanks everyone for being so positive and practical!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Go for it but take the hills slowly. It doesn’t matter about your time because you will be a first timer for that parkrun, therefore a PB. Take it in the spirit of parkrun

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

You can’t go on avoiding hills if you run, go for it. Hills are everywhere, they are to be run up and down, I actually think of them as a challenge, just do smaller steps and you’ll be fine.

[MandiV]

Go and enjoy - don’t think about the hills or the time just enjoy the fact that you are a runner and can run 5k and are having a blast!

[Mrd2001]

I understand how you feel, I would be just the same but also agree with others here just go and give it a go! Walk bits if you need to, there is no problem with that, and then you have a marker for that course to come back in the future and improve it. You know you will get lots of support and encouragement on the day so go and Enjoy!

[dynamodi Graduate10]

I have only recently graduated-end of Sept and have completed 2 park runs. First was my local and pretty flat ( time 34.40). Last week was Wyre Forrest park run. I really struggled as the last mile at least is up hill. I had a couple of little walks and was disappointed. But then I thought ,a few months ago I couldn't even imagine doing this. Go for it! think how far you have come. And it isn't a race. I love seeing dogs,kids,us older ones just getting out there. Good Luck

[MCR73]

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to run the hilly parkrun - I followed your advice and went along in the spirit of the thing - to do my best and just enjoy my new level of fitness. I had to walk some of the hills, and some I managed with a strange fast shuffle action! I actually completed it in 40mins 37secs - only 2 and a bit minutes slower than the flat course I did last week! I'm hoping this is a sign that I can manage a faster time back at my home parkrun next week!

Thanks again to everyone who replied!