Decline the incline?

[OhYesICan]

Hello everyone, newbie here.

I joined about a month ago and did nothing until my first run yesterday. Yaaay. Prior to lockdown I swam and played badminton, so was surprised that I found yesterday's run Horrendous. I suppose the weight gain didn't help

All that aside, I realised half way through my run in the park, that I was running up slight inclines. Its very hilly in my area and my question is, as a newbie, should I only be running on the flat, or will I eventually get used to slopes? There are areas that are flat, but a good 15 minutes away pounding the pavement and by that time the session will be over.

Any ideas or advice would be really helpful.

Thanks

OhYesICan

[nowster Graduate]

Slight inclines are OK, and in the long term a good thing. Steep hills probably not.

My initial running course was alongside a main road. My run started with a slight downhill then a gradual uphill incline to the turnaround point, then retracing my steps meaning a gradual downhill and a slight uphill for the last minute.

It's quite hilly round here, so finding as flat a route as that took a bit of trial and error.

Yes, it probably was initially harder to do than a totally flat route, but it was a good way to arrange things.

Flat is less effort but, if that's not possible, if you can put the mostly uphill bits in the first half of the run and the mostly downhill bits towards the second half, that keeps the effort manageable.

[OhYesICan Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thanks for getting back to me.

I agree that it's all trial and error so I will try retracing my steps or going uphill on the first half of another route.

Useful advice. Thanks

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Welcome, hills are tough but they do get easier with time and if they are there you have to work with them

[OhYesICan Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes, I'm going to continue the same route with days 2 and 3 and next week move to the flat until I get a little fitter.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to OhYesICan]

Sounds like a good plan

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

Hills will make you stronger.........but keep it sensible.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[OhYesICan Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Having read the guide, it's so true about feeling self conscious prior to starting. Looks like I should also have done some brisk walking beforehand, but since I've completed my first run, i'll continue.

There's a lot more I can take from the guide, so thanks.

[Lookslikejames Graduate]

When I started I did hills and I’ve continued to do so the whole way through. It makes the flats easier to be fair and eventually you can take on bigger hills.

It’s personal choice though, do what feels good for you! There’s no right or wrong, but if inclines start making the latter weeks too difficult then maybe try to limit them.

[OhYesICan Graduate in reply to Lookslikejames]

Thanks for the advice. I've decided to go with the flats from next week, just for a couple of weeks and then return to the hilly bits. I like a challenge and won't be beaten by hills, but will take it slowly to begin with to avoid injury.