Especially for Weeks 1-9. If your route has you "Running up That Hill" (thanks Kate 😄) and you start to struggle....

[AnnieW55]

Turn around and go back down some or all of the way before turning to go back up. It will give you some recovery time to have another go upwards (and no, it's not cheating). If you're lucky on the shorter runs you might have the recovery walk time to get back up 😄. Just posting as its not always an obvious thing to do.

[sallenson Graduate]

Nice idea. As long as we promise not to walk bits of it 😁

[AnnieW55 in reply to sallenson]

Well, only the ones you're allowed to 😉

[sallenson Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

I'm not allowed to walk any more. If I even think about it, my Emergency Jelly Babies will tell Oldfloss and then I'll be sad....

[QueenTea Graduate]

Great advice - thanks. I’ll remember this tomorrow when I’m crawling up the hilly bits 😹

[Decker]

Thats a good plan Annie. And it sounds like more distance would be covered so it is definitely not cheating. Not that I willingly seek out hills myself...

[AnnieW55 in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. It just struck me today as I puffed up yet another hill. I usually reply to people who mention struggling on hills with below. It is essentially intervals so can be done at any pace but is really for wk6r3 and onwards with the above for wk1-6r2.

Try "back stitching" the hill. Run up to first lamp post (or static marker, no using cars or sheep that move - guess who did 😚), turn and run down. Turn and run up two, down one - repeat until you get to the top. The run down gives a bit of recovery time before going up again and you get plenty of practice going up. Do this with small steps, it really works. It's the way I learned to run the hills around here - I can't do a run without doing a hill or two and I don't want/won't drive to a flatter area.

[Decker in reply to AnnieW55]

sounds like a great way to get a lot more out of a single hill run too. And for those who only have shorter hills nearby, you get the benefits (read suffering) of a much longer hill

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

Thank you- that is an interesting idea. I live on top of a ridge so have done all my runs going along it on the flat. I've been nervous of going off either side because of the hills - but those routes are far more pleasant and interesting than running along the main road and back. Now you've given me some inspiration for something to try! Exciting!

[AnnieW55 in reply to Eiralas]

😄 Best wishes for the interesting runs to come.

[Razouski]

I think I may have to try this out sometime soon. I've heard it mentioned a lot but never had the confidence to try it out as it seems like I'll be doing even more running uphill.

[AnnieW55 in reply to Razouski]

You will be on the hill longer but it really does work. You get recovery on the 'downs' so it's not too bad. It was the only way I could get up my particular 'Hill That Kills' and now I, usually, get straight up - and die at the top 😂

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Good plan - I hadn't thought of that!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

One of my very favourite songs by my favourite artist. But I’m not doing hills!

[AnnieW55 in reply to Jay66UK]

One day, one day 😄

(Even if just out of curiosity. It might have killed the cat - but it won't kill you 😄)