New route

[Jenny1970]

So far I have being running along a canal tow path. It's nice a flat and very picturesque. However I have to face facts and for the dark mornings and evenings I need to find a better lit route. The problem I have is it is very hilly near me and I think I will find running up hill a challenge! Any tips on running up and down hills?

[sus1eb]

Hi Jenny, I'm exactly the same running flat wherever I can. On a recent 5k which was mostly hills I power walked up and jogged slowly down. I found I was walking faster than some people's jog. I would try and find some not too steep and try power walking/ slow jog to start.

[Jenny1970 Graduate in reply to sus1eb]

Thanks I'll take your advice. I will miss the canal but it's probably not a bad thing to include some hills in my runs.

[MrsT82]

I find that smaller steps uphill makes it easier on your legs. X

[Jenny1970 Graduate in reply to MrsT82]

Thanks MrsT82 I will try that.

[misswobble Graduate]

Yep. Slowly climb up the hill using very small steps, repeating to yourself, "small steps, small steps", as your running uphill mantra 😃🏃‍♀️👍 Make no mistake running hills is tough and can be demoralising., They do help improve fitness though 💪👍🏃‍♀️

You can divide the hill up and tackle it in stages. Break it down into bite size pieces sort of thing. Take care going down hill at this stage. When your legs are built you can let rip runningmthe downhills, but for now restrain yourself and take care 🙂

Have fun🙂 You won't be alone out there. We're all running through winter, well cept those in the gym 🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

misswobble has given you some great tips. Just embrace the hills...like the weather, we have to learn to love them

[Hidden]

Hi Jenny I have the hill problem and in fact did more or less all of my C25K up and down hills. They can be tough but I tried the little steps method and that worked for me, so too did a recommendation on a method called back stitching, which is to start your run from the bottom of the slope or hill and identify a set of milestones up it. Run to the first one and then run slowly back down or walk to get your breath back and then aim at milestone 2 and repeat. The key thing on the backstitching is to curb your enthusiasm for setting too ambitious milestones, it's a bit like C25K in miniature, take small distances, before stretching yourself.

Good luck with them thar hills