W7/R2.. Those hills !

[Sussex13]

Am smiling as this is AFTER the run so looking a bit hot and sweaty 😂.

I felt quite positiver before heading out for this run yest morning & excited about my new watch! First 5 minutes I find hard, getting my legs to work and my breathing under control and trying to not panic! I finally got myself into a rhythm after that and managed to complete the run, though it wasn't a breeze and I didn't feel like I loved it as much as previous.

I'm lucky, it's very pretty where I live but it's so darned hilly! I guess I need to start to enjoy the hills as they are not going anyway.. .when will that happen?!! 🤔. My hubby and his friends are what I call 'proper runners', they do miles and miles, all compete on Strava and he/they love hills... I want to love hills!!!🥵.

However, what goes up, must come down and I do so love the relief of going downhill and getting my poor 169/170bpm ❤️ back down to manageable numbers again 😅.

How did you all get on this weekend?

Hi-fives all round as we ALL deserve a big pat on the back for getting out there 🙋‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[carolinestanford Graduate]

Well done you 👍

[mattymoo33]

Hi honey... looking fab😚. Great weekend, fab weather, loads of gardening, cooking and baking. Back out tomorrow. Hope your watch helped. I have a Huawei, which was relatively inexpensive, but does the job and syncs to my phone.

Enjoy your day 😊 xx

[Sussex13 Graduate in reply to mattymoo33]

Thanks, sounds like you had a lovely weekend.. we did too, weather is amazing isn't it, hope it stays for a while ☀️

[Bogshuffler Graduate]

Great going, I am sure the love of hills will come with time, for now, I am at least, avoiding them like the plague.

[Sussex13 Graduate in reply to Bogshuffler]

Don't blame you!

[nowster Graduate]

A tip for hills is not to lean into them but to keep your posture upright, and look to the horizon, not downwards.

They do get less hard as you get stronger. For steeper hills, zig-zagging up them can make them less of a strain (think of what a mountain pass does).

[Sussex13 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thanks, good tip. I actually do lean into them and do look down so will try the opposite, hopefully it will help!

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

Sussex: Hill Warrior! 😎 Hats off for tackling hills, I just daren’t do my usual route for fear of not making it up the final mountain! I’m sure you will learn to love them ☺️

What makes you panic in those first 5 minutes? Your breathing being off?

[Sussex13 Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thanks lovely. I think because I know I’ve got to go for another 20 minutes without stopping, makes me worry in case I can’t do it! Usually I manage but it’s not a breeze. Hoping I’ll start getting fitter and won’t feel the difficulty so early on.

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Sussex13]

I know what you mean, I try and bat the worry away and start out sooo slowly. If I’m a bit flappy and not relaxed when starting off that puts me off my game.

I recently learned a breathing technique that calms me instantly if I’m having an off day. In case it helps:

Take a big long breath in through your nose and then take another, short sharp intake of breath before releasing slowly. I want to read up on the science but it relaxes/exercises your diaphragm which helps control your breathing.

Seriously - instant effect!✨

[Sussex13 Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Ooh I will definitely try that, thanks! My problem is I start too fast, I think I should be stepping it up but in reality, I should just go slowly 😂🤣

[acountrycabbage Graduate in reply to Sussex13]

I think we all do the same! 😅 It almost feels silly how slow I start off..! I love it when I’ve kept it in the tank though and get to put my foot down at the end!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hills will make you stronger, well done

[Sussex13 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you!