Thanks and New Question regarding hills

[Meintheuniverse]

Hi All, I got back out after a week off due to my bad chesty cough, carried on where I left off and did fine so thanks for all your encouragement and advice. I'm looking forward to starting Week 4 on Friday! My next question regards hills. I am English, but live in France at the foot of the Jura mountains, this means when I go out for a run it's either up, or down to start with. There are some routes which are more steep than others, and some with more flat bits, (I found a flatter one for my first run back after being ill!!!) My question is, is there a reason as to whether I should go up first and then enjoy the easier run back down, or begin with the easy down and finish with coming back up? Or am I best to mix it up and do a different route each time? (which is what I have been doing.) I run VERY slowly on the up bits, and am quicker on the down bits. There really aren't any flat routes from my home and I don't want to have to drive to go for a run. Any thoughts, ideas or advice very welcome.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It is all a matter of choice, really. Personally I normally plan my runs to have the toughest climbs in the first half of the run, but living half way up a hill means there is invariably some climbing to be done towards the end as well.

Just keep running the hills.......they are good for you.

[Meintheuniverse Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks Iannoda Truffe. Will do!!!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

I live in France too, and it's pretty hilly here! I don't really have much choice, I live at the top of the hill, so I've got used to having my fastest KM at the beginning. If I had the choice, I'd start off uphill, and coast home...I always have to save a bit of energy for the warm down walk. Experiment, and see what suits you best, I don't think there's any reason why you shouldn't do either or both xx

[Meintheuniverse Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks Curlygurly2, yes I guess I'm lucky to have the choice, I'll continue to experiment.

[Jonesycat Graduate]

Yes, as the others say, uphill first then coast home if possible...I find it's lovely and motivating to have that downhill bit to look forward to; but I don't think there's any technical reason why you should do one before the other. Hills are really good for your stamina and strength, so I (sort of !) envy you your routes. Tip: going uphill shorten your stride and really use your arms - I find this helps on the one (tiny) hill I've managed to incorporate.

Best of luck!

[Meintheuniverse Graduate in reply to Jonesycat]

Thanks Jonesycat, yes I think I'm very lucky to be starting out on hills as I assume that if and when I run on the flat it will seem super easy (I hope ) Thanks for the tip re arms and stride. Will bear this in mind on my next run.

[lightweightkate Graduate]

I've run on hills all through C25K and although I found it really tough I am glad I did as I can manage them now, albeit very slowly!! My favourite is up hills to start and then down at the end - doesn't always work out but that downhill run at the end is very enjoyable

[Meintheuniverse Graduate in reply to lightweightkate]

Thank you lightweightkate. Yes, I feel like I'm flying when I finish on the down hills. Wondered if that meant I was cheating somehow!!!

[lightweightkate Graduate in reply to Meintheuniverse]

Not at all. I see it as a perk 😃

[Natasha-H Graduate]

Hills! How I hate them but living in mid Devon I cannot avoid them either, I do the up on the way but round here it's up/down all the way....but nice to end on a down, I really hope that these hills get easier!! Good luck

[Meintheuniverse Graduate in reply to Natasha-H]

Thanks Natasha-H, me too! 😀