Finally made it up a hill :-)

[pianoteacher]

Week 8 Run 3

Had to plan carefully this morning as our leaky shower is finally being fixed. Been like it since I moved in 2 years ago and for God knows how long before that! Needed to get out and back early before the man arrived.

Got a lift to my usual seafront haunt but decided I would need to turn to come home before the halfway mark in order to get back in time.

Went nice and slowly again and turned about 10 mins into the run. Weirdly for the first time felt I was getting stronger (and faster) as the run progressed. The running Gods were with me at the traffic lights but as I came to the twitten I realised I had misjudged the turn and would have to run uphill - I do not like hills!

I thought of the advice I was given here last time one beat - slow right down, take really short strides - and went for it. Had to dodge all the kids on their way to school - I was only going marginally faster than they were walking which proved a bit tricky.

But I made it - right to the top!

Happy Running - especially to those of you going uphill today x

[sallenson Graduate]

That wasn't Harley Shute was it? OMG!! You are awesome!!

(Even if it wasn't Harley Shute you're still awesome...)

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Sorry to disappoint not Harley Shute - not brave enough to try that again yet! Runs parallel though so almost

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Well done! Couch to 5k, killing your monsters one run at a time.

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Cool isn't it? Was genuinely worried when I realised - especially as I knew there would be loads of teenagers going up it on their way to school. Towards the top there was a big group of them all across the pavement - had to go out onto the road to pass them. Just after I got round them my timer went off so I stopped - they must have thought I was mad 😂

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to pianoteacher]

But the best thing is we runners (!) don’t care about things like that, do we? 🤣

I run past a load of bus stops on both sides of the road I run along. I’ve gone from dreading running near them if there are people waiting to seeing it as an excuse to hold my head high, relax my shoulders, get my rhythm right, “power” past them confidently.

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

That's brilliant Jay! x

[Thecko Graduate]

Well done 🙂 it feels good (emotionally, not physically) to get to the top doesn't it 😀

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Thecko]

Thank you!

Yes so good! I want to start varying my routes so I don't get bored and now I know I can run up a hill it opens up so many more possibilities x

[Ripcurlrana71]

Well done!! I too hate hills 😱

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

And you have them on your Parkrun!

One of my pupils runs - actually she's in her 60s and took up triathlon pretty much from scratch a couple of years ago - and she told me she loves hills because you get to come down the other side. My run wasn't long enough for that to happen today but I'm sure it will be as we run longer distances x

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to pianoteacher]

I know! I also got told by a seasoned marathon runner to tackle hills to make you a better runner with pace and stamina. Atm recovery after a hill is slow which affects the rest of my run. Gonna have to bite the bullet and go for it!

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

I've only tried them at the end of a run so I think after Graduation I'm going to have to look at some alternative routes. I think they'll probably be a few things unpleasant thing to tackle - sprints come to mind - in order to run further/go faster. I'm enjoying it so much at the moment I would genuinely say I'd give it a go x

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to pianoteacher]

Catch up soon! Off to airport now. x

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Have fun - make sure you post about Central Park

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to pianoteacher]

Will do!! X

[Hidden in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Have a great time. Slightly envious this end.

[Ripcurlrana71 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. 🇺🇸😊

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Well done! I hate hills so I'm very impressed! We've started looking at future routes with small hills. I'm dragging my husband around the local park run course to see how bad the hill is!

Nearly there now! Am a run behind you cos of a horribly busy week. Run 2 tonight. At least its cooler!

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

I like the idea of dragging your husband round it!

I will most probably get to Graduation after you as I'm doing Week 9 Run 1 at Parkrun on Saturday but then during half term I'm going to train with my son. He's asthmatic (not badly fortunately but he does have inhalers) and he won't be able to manage to run for 30mins straight. We're going to do a Parkrun together so next week's runs will be us working out a suitable and sustainable way of scouts pacing the 5k.

Good Luck with your run tonight x

[Guesty26 Graduate]

Well done pianoteacher youve obviously got the stamina for the hills in your legs now, i found that too on my last run. Only 3 runs for you now enjoy the weekend.

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Guesty26]

Thank you!

When I start something new I tend to want to be able to do everything within about a week! You're right I just needed to get a bit stronger to be able to do it x

[Keepcalm-keepsmiling Graduate]

Running up hills - that’s impressive. Well done 👍🏻

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Keepcalm-keepsmiling]

As a long term goal I'd like to attempt my local half marathon - you wouldn't have found me saying that 8 weeks ago!

It's really hilly - the hill sallenson metions in the first reply is at the start. Honestly it's so steep I'm pretty sure you need climbing equipment to get up it - my car struggles 😂 Gotta get practising x

[Keepcalm-keepsmiling Graduate]

I’m speechless in awe - half marathon with steep hills! And I’m aiming for a flat 5k lol. You have a great goal to aim for and I fully believe you can do it so I look forward to your future posts 🙂

[pianoteacher Graduate in reply to Keepcalm-keepsmiling]

Nothing wrong with aiming for a flat 5k Our Parkrun is very flat but the half marathon is something else!

[Lydia-jg Graduate]

WoW good tip! Hope you’re getting closer to your goal 👍🏻😊