Hills

[Shippers]

I have just finished W4R3. I find even modest gradients really hard and sapping. Is there any trick to this other than avoiding them?

[misswobble Graduate]

It’s ok to avoid them. You go back to them when you’re ready. They’re not going anywhere 🙂👍

[Shippers Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thank you.

[Jullaly Graduate]

I feel your pain, I’m on week 7 and can’t avoid the horrible hills but I decided right from week one the only way I could complete this was if I accepted them. I slow my breathing, slow down generally, even shorter strides, distract myself with a good podcast and think ahead to the going downhill the other side. Sorry I haven’t got any technical advice cos I’m still only concentrating putting one step in front of the other 😂

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

Absolutely spot on! I can't really avoid them either. So have learnt to accept what I can't control. Smaller steps going up hill has helped me - where steps are measured in teeny tiny distances, millimetres maybe. But just think of how awesome you'll be on the flat!!

[Shippers Graduate in reply to Jullaly]

Thank you

[Tbae]

Yes, just avoid them until you strengthen.Plenty time.

The informed technique is stand tall, shorten your stride,but increase your cadence,quicker steps, lifting a little more from your knees.Some descend the same way, particularly on very steep terrain and even have to zig zag.

Hills a great resource later for further strengthing.Loads of info and recommendations if and when interested, maybe later

Hope this helps.👏👏.

[Shippers Graduate]

Thank you. Sounds sensible- I’ll try it if one of those pesky hills jumps out in front of me again.

[Tbae in reply to Shippers]

Yes good for you, as Mentor suggests.

Just do not confuse your slow and steady happy pace with the extra effort, quicker steps, little more knees and of course the extra oxygen you need with maybe a few more breaths initially.

Hills are great, as suggested.

It is certainly the way to go.

Good advice from Mentor.

Do not sap your energy,do not descend something too steep in the beginning,that situation can subject your running body to the highest out of balance forces,particularly at an early unstrengthened stage, but if you can build it up ,you will get the rewards.

Take care of you.🌟👏👏

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You will never be able to run up hills unless you run up hills.

You could go as far as possible and then turn round and go back down. Next time just try to get a little bit further.

I altered my route, by adding a loop, in W6 to avoid finishing all my runs on a steep uphill.

[WineLover99]

My advice would be go in opposite direction and run down them! I find hills impossible also- even a very small increase and I feel like I’m halfway up a mountain! Stick at it though you are doing great x