Running up that hill ...

[Amerynthe]

I have been gradually talking myself out of the mental block I've built up about hills. And when I say hills, I actually mean an uphill gradient of any kind, even the barely noticeable ones! I start stressing about the inclines at Park Run far before I reach them, and automatically slow to a walk - although I do walk more quickly up them than I used to!

During my past few mid-week runs, I've stood at the bottom of the genuine big hill that I need to climb to get home, and told myself that I will run for 30 seconds, however hard it is, then walk a bit, then run another 30 seconds. It's been a killer, but I have gradually increased the number of seconds each time, and today I approached Park Run number 15 with the mind-set that the inclines are nothing compared to the short sharp shock of the hill at the Sports Centre.

I was hoping for an average run because the course has been re-routed the last 2 weeks and is even more uphill than usual, so I was absolutely amazed and thrilled to achieve my 2nd PB in just 3 weeks! 43:58! My New Year's Day Park Run was 54:57, so I'm just a second off beating that by 11 minutes!

I'm feeling a lot more confident about my Airport 5k on 23 June now - about 5 in the morning along the runway, before the 'planes start taking off. I haven't run a full 5k without stopping yet, but I am determined to do it on 23 June. After all my fuss about hills and inclines, I've got no excuse for a course that will be completely on the flat!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

11 minutes off your parkrun time in 4 months? Wow! Can you pop up here and give me some coaching? Brilliant job. It will be interesting to see what you do on the flat, those hill intervals will be building a lot of strength and endurance. Happy running.

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks! I don't think there's anything I can teach you though! I'm just gradually learning how much of this is in my head and combining that with my sheer *b*-mindedness and refusal to quit!

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

There was someone wearing a Marathon du Médoc t-shirt at today's Park Run! Is it this year you're planning on doing it?

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

I’m extremely impressed! I’ve sought out flat places to run, but recently added a mountain (erm…gentle incline) so I salute you!!! 💪💪💪

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Thanks! I have to say I'm quite impressed with myself (and I almost *never* feel proud of myself) because hills have been a real stumbling block since even before I started running in October last year. I'm really looking forward to the challenge of doing more on that final hill on the Sports Centre because I know it's doing me some good. Good luck with your own mountain! You can tame it, I'm sure!

[welsby1967 Graduate]

Wowsers massive well done to you - you have inspired me to try some slight inclines as I avoid them for fear of not being able to run my set distance because of them - I seek out tracks wherever I can and 5k is achievable for me now on the flat - but thank you I’m going to give some bumps a go xxx

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to welsby1967]

Excellent! I think the hills/bumps/inclines - whatever we call them to make them manageable - help strengthen different muscles and that has to help the whole package. My brother was watching me at the finish line today (he'd finished more than 20 minutes ahead of me!) and said that I finished a lot stronger than in previous weeks, so it's certainly doing something!

[welsby1967 Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

Well you’ve certainly inspired me and kudos to you for a park run too - I’m a bit of a lone runner myself - I use it for unwinding and filing in my head 😂 I love the peace and quiet too much that it gives me x

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

I too hate hills. The best advice I’ve learned on this forum is simply to shorten your stride. Try it!!

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

will give that a go too!

[Katiepops Graduate]

Wowsers fabulous! 11 minutes off your original PB is brilliant well done you. Our Parkrun is half-and-half. 1.5 miles down and then 1.5 up. I walk the steep bits. Last week I ran with an ultra-marathoner. She’s doing London tomorrow and has run 50milers in the past. I was astonished. She walked up the hill same as me!

So don’t stress! You’re clearly doing fantastically. Someone from my running club said on our last XC in the woods, “it’s only a hill from a certain angle!” I know that doesn’t help when you’re standing at the bottom but hey!

Good luck. 😉😊🏃‍♀️