An unexpected opportunity : My nearest hill is... - Bridge to 10K

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An unexpected opportunity

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate10
16 Replies

My nearest hill is a steep winding one. I’ve run down it dozens of times, but until now have only walked up it (panting). In normal circumstances its narrowness and the speed of traffic has put me off tackling.

Now the road has been closed for utility work. That’s given me the chance to run up it. Twice now. By golly, it is tough : not only steep but takes 20 minutes. By the top I’m down to 130 spm.

But a huge sense of achievement (and stiff quads!)😎

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HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFoot
Graduate10
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16 Replies
Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate10

That's brilliant! I used to avoid hills, but now make myself run up them, extremely slowly! I could probably walk up them faster, but it always feels good!

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate10 in reply to Roxdog

One strange observation: during lockdown in 2020 (remember?) I started tackling the hills which surround my village. I grimly ascended at 130-140 spm, but strangely after several weeks that rhythm became my “natural” cadence on the flat as well. So I’ve had to get into jog-sprint runs to get that cadence back up.

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate10 in reply to HeavyFoot

Lockdown was just after I finished cto5k and I did lots of exploring in my neighbourhood. I live in a flat area, but do remember tackling a lot of brambles and stinging nettles when I got lost! Oh, and I ran across empty golf courses - very strange.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

Well done on as the Kate Bush song goes "Running up that hill" HeavyFoot, you are now a runner who can run up and down hills anywhere. 😊 🏃🏾

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

Here is a fantastic version of that song with David Gilmour from Pink Floyd on guitar 😁youtu.be/Lk7AVm0Ome0

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Instructor57

I have just watched it, excellent version Ian.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

😁👍

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10

Fantastic! Hills are still my nemesis. I really need to do something about that so way to go you!👏👍💪

DylanTheRabbit profile image
DylanTheRabbitGraduate10

Closed roads can be a gift when you're not in your car!

There's only one steep hill on my collection of routes. I haven't been up it for a while (off-road and too dark) but when I do, I sort of waltz -two steps on the spot - one forwards💃🏽

I've started doing interval training on my turbo trainer (cycling) recently. Maybe I'll mix it up a bit a bit in the spring with some hill sprints.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate

I love hills... or I did... I am hoping I still do, but as I am yet to run after Covid... that may take a while ! I tend to move faster and easier uphill than on the flat!

Well done you, and you know, the more you do the hills. the more you will enjoy them... honestly!

Teresa1632 profile image
Teresa1632Graduate10

Well done! Hills make you stronger. Shorten your stride, increase your cadence, and most important: pump your arms, driving your elbows back (like driving a nail into a wall) . Your legs will follow what your arms are doing. It takes a bit of practice, but soooo good to do!

OldManRunning profile image
OldManRunningGraduate10

Well done HeavyFoot 🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♂️😁👍 I too fear hills 😂

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10

Excellent 😁!Sometimes these road works have their uses 😁

I was very pleased to hear that going down (hills, stairs) is also good as it stretches the muscles out (Michael Mosley, just one thing). I dont mind running down at all!

dijep profile image
dijepGraduate10

Well done 👍 I hope there was a good view from the top.It's frustrating that traffic stops us running certain routes. Last summer I got up ridiculously early one Sunday and ran on what is usually a very busy A road to complete a very nice 5k route ending across fields. It also involved a big hill😄

Rungranny profile image
Rungranny60minGraduate

I absolutely hate hills , they seem to sap every bit out of my legs . Tried the hill sprints with a running group I had joined but got injured and couldn't get the knee right for a long time. Now a new challenge for January I joined a women's group of trail running. Absolute beginners sofa to summit. It's a similar idea to our C25k but less structured. We are taken out in groups and we jog/ hike on tracks and trails including hills and descents.

My cunning plan is that after the 7 weeks my running on more even ground will feel like floating on clouds 🤣

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