Serious question

[ButtercupKid]

I know, not often you find me being serious. But seriously ! Early on I told one or two of you that I had a fantasy goal, which was to run the local hill climb. It was an annual race for decades but fell into abeyance, and although we’ve been here more than 10 years we’d never heard of it. Then last year it restarted, and I’ve just heard they’re doing it again this year, in late August. It’s near enough 10k and quite a lot of it is uphill, obviously, with some very steep sections. Now I’m on week 7, running around 2.4k in a full session (including warm up and cool down), usually on a route with a fair bit of undulation but no long slopes. Question: could I realistically be ready on time, or am I mad to think of it ? I may not be able to enter anyway, since it’s run at a weekend and I have family commitments that take over my weekends, but still . . . Don’t just leap about being enthusiastic: I know you all want to ! But this time I need serious thought and sound advice. Thanks friends x

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

10k uphill in 7 months... maybe.

I’m gonna make some assumptions:

The hill isn’t just there for the event, I’m thinking it’s pretty permanent 😂

The route is available on the event website.

It’s not just a hill, it’s a bit of a beast, that’s why the run is in that hill,

So... you can train on the route, but it’s tough running. Once you’re graduated and consolidation is done you could dedicate a run to it. My post grad plan involved a long run, as yours would have to, to get the stamina to do the distance. I also had speed intervals, so I was doing 4x400m and 8x200m flats and fast... but there’s as much benefit in terms of strength and speed by going normal pace and steep... you could use what was my speed session as your hill climbing session. Each time I got to a speed session I added another interval.... so if you did 400m ones in a few weeks from 4, you’re at 12 and nearly half way up that hill. Other runs stay slow and flattish.

I don’t know if you could run the whole thing this August non-stop, I don’t know if I could to be honest, I’d need to see the hill and train to it... but could you get up that course with mainly running and be proud of the achievement, hell yeah.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks, UNM: that’s the kind of advice I need. I’m going to keep my focus on graduating and then consolidating just now. Then I was thinking about starting C25k again but doing maybe two out of three runs with an uphill bias. The scary hill begins about 5 minutes from my house, and the two steepest gradients in the 100 miles or so of disused railway line are the one coming into the village from the west, and the one going out of the village to the east, so plenty of variety available 😄 How would that sound to you ?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Disused railway is a start, tends to be long steady inclines

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Exactly what it is - in both directions ! Still, it’s fun coming back 😄

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I just read your answer and laughed as I have visions of a group of people wheeling in a hill...

imagine if you’d practiced the race run and on the day they’d brought in three hills. Nightmare!

(Sorry in silly mood)

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

😂

I swear they did that near me once... big hill in the middle of my run that I had no memory of seeing before!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Well, if you will put gin in your water bottle, these things will happen to you 😜

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Noted... vodka next time

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

😂

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Haha so true! I'm planning my routes, think oh I'll run along this long flat road, been there loads. Nope, they've now added ups and downs. How very dare!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I know. I’m sure the council comes round at night and adjusts all the gradients with an air pump 😄

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

I can’t believe I’m actually asking this stuff. Was this me really here all the time ? Why didn’t I find me sooner ?!! 😄😢

[Runawaytrainer Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

You're doing amazingly, Bck! Not retaking any more weeks, now you've got into it, judging by your progress through the programme! Very well done.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Runawaytrainer]

Thanks RT. I was a bit anxious about finishing the programme, so I’m pleased that this new me is already looking for new challenges !

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Wowzers that is one hell of a goal! I have entered a 5miler in April and a (flat: canal-side) 10k in June as I am doing a virtual run the year thing to keep me motivated and raise money for charity. I do run on hills/inclines at least once a week and I am feeling the benefit but there is a lot of me to haul around and I personally wouldn’t think to enter something that tough. However, UNM as ever has fantastic and practical advice which is certainly worth a try. Bear in mind that I have found that race entries seem to fill up early, especially for 5k and 10k distances: I had to book my June event over a week ago as it was nearly sold out. You may have to make a decision on an entry soon! I am in awe that you are even thinking if taking on something so tough: you are such a determined person I have no doubt that if you decide to go for it you will give it your very best and the sense of achievement will be incredible! xx

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Thanks Molly. They haven’t opened for entries yet so I thought I’d get advice early !

[Tartancat Graduate]

As always UnfitNoMore has excellent advice.

I would want to know if everyone is expected to run the whole way, or is it acceptable to walk bits of it? Knowing that could take a bit of pressure off.

Sounds like a heck of a challenge , but wow, what a high when you complete it! And let's face it, you've risen to the challenge of C25K magnificently already 😁

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

I guess once you’re up that hill it’s up to you - unless they send monitors round too !

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

They probably put sensors under the ground with electric jolts if you walk too much

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

There’s a really charming thought 😄

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

😋

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

If you believe in yourself... anything is possible?

Good quote... if you want to do this... you will... one way or another... but... there's always a but...

( Nannying old fogey here)

Firstly complete this.. then consolidation... lots of it...short routes, longer routes and hilly bits.... then Join ju-ju- s Magic 10.... and get to 10K safely...(It takes eight or nine weeks...) and....plenty of exercise along with the running too... leg work....strength and stamina. Luckily Ju has put exercise in alongside her 10K plan now...

You will have to commit to it...and life and weather and injury or illness can get in the way.. ( I know that myself.. trying to play catch up on my HM training).

It is not going to be easy... and running up anything in August.. even in the UK will be hard...I avoided any HM in the warmer months because of that...

Think about it... be very, very sure.... before you make your decision... and I would say.. discuss with the family .... they are going to be part of this and you will need their support

Whatever you decide will be the right decision and whatever that decision is we will support you all the way... and back again

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss. At the moment I’m prioritising graduation. In some ways August feels a long way away and in other ways it’s no time at all; it has been a major challenge just to get to where I am, and ultimately I don’t have any support beyond this forum. Part of my family think my taking part in C25k is a stupid waste of time and the other part resent the time it takes up when I should be running around after them instead ! None of them believe I’m not just walking. So if I do sign up for it, there’s more than just the running to overcome. I’m not competitive anyway, and I’m wondering whether just training up to be able to run the course would be enough, without the extra complication of actually entering the race this year. As I’m autistic, there’s also a whole extra layer of anxieties about being in a crowd of people and a new experience etc. . . What do you think ?

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

If you decide to do it then we’ll all be behind you (pushing you up that hill) and here for any support.

Why don’t you give yourself a bit of time before you decide?

I would suggest completing C25k first and running a bit after to see how you feel.