Is running downhill cheating?

[Laurzmum]

I’ve just been out for a run and extended my 5k to 5.5k and managed this in a good time. However the route I took was largely downhill.

. I was running in a city so wasn’t massive declines but a gradual downhill gradient. Are there any benefits to this run or is this sort of ‘cheating’?

Thanks for any advice?

[Jogunlikely]

Imho not cheating! Running is running x

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Hi. Personally I wouldn't call it cheating!! U r still running. ... And to go down maybe u went up at some point?!? Sounds ok to me. I actually find it harder going downhill sometimes. 👍 No not cheating at all 😊👍

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’d say it was good planning 😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

No, not cheating! Unless of course you walk up all the hills and only run down! 😅😅

I love running downhill, but my daughter and I both agree that running a hilly (up and down) run always ends up being a very similar time to a flat one, so I think it all evens itself out in the end. 👍

[roseabi]

No it's not cheating, in fact there are particular skills involved in running downhill - maybe not so much if it is a very gentle downhill, but still! The fronts of the thighs (quadriceps), and the abdominal muscles, work harder when running downhill. That said, you should try to mix it up with some uphill work.

Also, it's the MOST FUN!!!! 😊😊😊

[Hidden]

I think running downhill is less “puffing” (that’s a sports science term 😉) than running uphill so I try to finish a long run with a downhill section (although it usually means I run the equivalent uphill earlier in the run!).

[JonathanP Graduate10]

No not cheating but if you're worried you could turn round halfway and run the second half uphill!😀

[Katiepops Graduate10]

After a winter of trail running up in the Chiltern hills, downhill is what I live for! No, it’s not cheating. If you ran down, you must’ve gone up at some point. It’s all swings and roundabouts. Whatever that means! 😂😂