Literally an uphill struggle

[HeavyFoot]

I’m training for a 11 km hill run in September which takes place in the town I stay in France.

Thinking about it, I’m doubting if it’s going to happen - 1000 runners, big supporting crowd, communal meal for 500 afterwards - all of these things make it less likely even though it’s 5 months away.

The difficulty of the run is a continuous 180 metre elevation over 4 km, and I find hills exhausting. Time limit is 90 minutes which is a big deal for me.

To train, I have devised a local 4 hill run over 10 km which ends at my back door. I tried it for the first time this morning. It took 91 minutes.

So, a lot of work to be done. If I can get it down to 80 minutes, I’ve got a chance.

If, of course, it happens.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Regardless of whether it happens or not, hill training is great... can you plan a route that covers that elevation, set a date near that time and have that as a plan B? and well done it sounds like a tough run

[HeavyFoot Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Although I live in a hilly area, I can’t devise a 180m rise like in the Pyrenees. However, here I did well over that but over 4 hills. If all goes well, I’ll be trying it out in situ a few times in the weeks before the run.

As for hill training, my quads aren’t talking to me at the moment !!

[orangeguy Graduate10]

I take my hat off to you for that, well done 😀👍 I'm not a lover of hills at all although I know they are good as regards training.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

What a great training programme! I agree with Ju-Ju, it doesn’t matter if the race goes ahead or not, this is still brilliant training.

By the end of lockdown you’ll be taking those hills in your stride 🏃💪🙂

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great effort, long hill runs are so hard, I have a 2km uphill at the start of one of my 10k routes, always nice to have a bit of down after that. It agree your event may not go ahead this year, but think how much more prepared you’ll be next year. Happy running 🤗