Running down a hill = feeling like a gazelle!

[Woodsrunner]

But is it cheating? will I get any benefit (other than feeling like an amazing running gazelle - how wonderful to be really fit and feel like this on the flat and uphill) 2k down a hill and 2.7k on the flat- I didn't run up the (massive) hill so not sure if it counts?

[AnnieW55]

It's a run. It counts 👍.

One day, when you are ready, you will tackle the hill. Until that time just keep enjoying the feeling of being a gazelle😀.

One way of tackling the hill (when you are ready ) is to "back stitch" it. If there are lamp posts run up two and then down one, up two, down one until you get to the top. The downs give a bit of recovery time and you get the bonus of covering a bit more distance on your run. If no lamp posts just pick out targets. I used this method to get up some of my monsters - eventually you just go further up before making a shorter down bit. And then you get to run it all in one go - all slowly.

[Woodsrunner Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

Thank you - I'll try that and crack it in time, probably months away but no rush the hill isn't going anywhere 😀

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Woodsrunner]

what worked for me was taking shorter steps but the same pace. there are times when I feel like I am peddling a tiny bycycle LOL It feels like I am running in place sometimes but I do eventually crest the monster hills around here - and that is a darn good feeling

[Irish-John Graduate]

I didn't go NEAR hills until I had consolidate my 5K And in your case take heart from the fact that it's reckoned running downhill takes more effort than uphill - you have to maintain balance for starters, and you are using muscles you normally don't

[Woodsrunner Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you - I certainly had achey legs towards the end of the hill but worth it 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

It is a run.. and although we need to be careful running downhill , it is fabulous...!

I did my fastest 3K, with a downhill section and a tail-wind at the end of it!

Some people, ( obviously mentioning no names, have been known to fling their arms out and try to fly )!!!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I only get the funny looks when I also make airplane noises,,,,

[misswobble Graduate]

Uphill, goes "small steps, small steps, small steps", you say this quietly to yourself all the way up. Well I do. I learned it off another runner. Whatever it takes ey!

[Woodsrunner Graduate]

Thank you all for all the good ideas, take small steps, repeat mantra 'small steps' as I go along, double back on myself - what lovely, helpful people on here 😀

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

You could run as far as you can then walk a bit... it all counts it's not cheating. I have a monster hill to conquer today, that's what I'm going to do!

[Theziggy Graduate]

There are downhill marathons and HMs - so you could feel like a gazelle for 26 miles

[Woodsrunner Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

Now there's a fine idea 😉