Help with hills

[RunningChocoholic]

Hi, I graduated C25K in 2018 and I’ve pretty much kept the running routine going since then. I can run 10k but admit it’s never been easy. Recently we have moved to a new county and wherever I run I am surrounded by hills. In approx 15 runs I’ve had one ‘nice’ run. Because of the hills I’m struggling to do between 5k - 6k and also find I’m having to walk every so often to get my breath back. I know hills are good for fitness but I’m feeling so defeated. It’s seems to be getting harder rather than easier! Can anyone offer any advice? Will it get easier? I’m thinking of setting up intervals on my Garmin to run / walk. I would really appreciate any words of wisdom. Thanks, Tracey

[limu_mu Graduate10]

Hills are tough, I try to start with an incline but lower km, pace and expectations when I plan to run up steep hills. Your body will adjust but it takes time.

Also, look out for other runners, where do they go? In my part of the woods have discovered that most runners stick to one flat road and tend to do laps around.

[RunningChocoholic Graduate10 in reply to limu_mu]

Hi, thank you. This area seems to have a lot of serious runners who tackle the hills with ease! I think I’m going to try intervals and see how it goes. It’s better than doing nothing and, fingers crossed, I might just find it easier in time (she said hopefully) 🙂

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Can you drive to somewhere flatter?

For hills though, do small footsteps but keep your cadence the same.

They will make you super fit and when you go on a flat run, you’ll fly around!

[RunningChocoholic Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Hi, thank you for replying. I can drive to a park and do laps but I would rather not have to use the car. Plus the park gets busy and I’m not sure joggers are that popular at the moment. I’ll try the small steps and hopefully that will help!

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to RunningChocoholic]

You don’t need to call them intervals when you have to walk. It’s still a run. I think this is a beginner’s thought - that you can’t walk on a run. That’s totally wrong. I’m doing a ten mile trail tomorrow and I’ll be walking lots of it. There’s nothing wrong with that. Forget calling it intervals. Just walk when you need and don’t think anything more of it 👍🏽

[RunningChocoholic Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks, you’re so right. I have a tendency to think that stopping is failing when really I should celebrate that I got out the door in the first place! Good luck with your trail run tomorrow and thanks again for the advice 🏃‍♀️

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to RunningChocoholic]

We walked soooo much! ⛰🤣🥴

Just walk when you need to and run when you can 👌🏽

[RunningChocoholic Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

But you got out - well done!👏🏻👏🏻 👏🏻. I got out early today (reply below). And, I would even call it a success. Yay 😀 👍🏻

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Hi RunningChocoholic , I've had to run hills ever since starting C25K because of where I live. I now realise I've been really lucky with that, and to my own amazement I've even developed a liking for forest trails and uphills!

In the process, though, I've had to accept that when heading uphill I have to take the teeniest-weeniest steps ever - I have short legs anyway, the Duracell bunny looks like a supermodel compared to me - and that my pace will slow significantly. I admit I don't like walking, as I find it breaks my rhythm, but I'd rather walk than come to a complete halt.

Also, if I'm finding it tough, I find it really helpful if I can concentrate on something other than the hill, while keeping my legs pootling on automatically. It might be my music or podcast, or the scenery, or even thinking through my to-do list or lesson planning!

Happy hill conquering! ⛰️

[RunningChocoholic Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Hi, thank you! I’m glad to hear you’ve learnt to like the hills. I went out early this morning, perfect running weather for me - cold with a smattering of sun. I set the Garmin to 3.30 run 45 second walks. My only rule was if the ‘run’ ended whilst I was going uphill I could only stop when it flattened out a bit. It worked a treat. And .... I enjoyed it - hooray! That’s the way forward for now. I tried to distract myself working on my cadence (which is another minefield!). Happy running and again, thank you x

[Hidden]

Hi Running Cmoi ! It’s like reading a mirror image of myself. I too have to deal wilth hills and fields while out running. Now I’m getting more used to them after many years and like you I just conquer the inclines slowly and if I need to stop running albeit slow I just power walk up them and when I’ve regained my breath and strength I start again. I’m 5ft 3ins and have small legs aswell🤣. However I would not change it for the world as the scenery is awesome,the fields full of cows and sheep and lambs at the minute are fab. Nature is in full swing and I heard a woodpecker this morning so all is good.

I’m 63 and I don’t plan on breaking any records ( or bones) so I see how far I can go and just enjoy everything before me! I’m a chocoholic too🍫🍫!

My hubby cycles and I run ...... magic! 🤣🤣👍

[RunningChocoholic Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

What a lovely description, thank you! I’m so pleased to hear you’ve got used to hills over time. I know they’re brilliant for fitness, it’s just been a (big) shock to the system 😳🥵. I will persevere. Running is the only thing that keeps the weight under control. I’m certainly not giving up my 🍷 or 🍫 ! X

[Hidden]

Exactly! Just keep persevering and you will get there! and definitely don’t give up the 🍫🍷🤣🤣👍Take care x