Hill Advice

[Emble1]

I have been sticking to one route for my runs as the only option for me without dealing with a hill. I’m getting bored, so need to brave a decent hill or two. Any advice how to tackle these please without having to stop and walk? Thanks!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

To tackle hills try to maintain cadence, shorten stride, keep head up, pump arms.

Running hills is a great way to build your stamina.

Be careful not to overstride going downhill.

[Irish-John Graduate]

I ran for a year before trying hills :)I live on a ridge line so it was pretty daunting having to run up on the return half of my runs.

Even though I had no problem doing 5ks and a few 10ks up to then, the strategy I decided on was to ditch "distance" and do "time".

First few weeks - 15 minutes running downhill, 15 minutes back. And I walked a fair old bit coming back, even before 15 minutes uphill running part was done

But, gradually I increased the time, and gradually I was able to run ALL the way up those hills.

It did wonders for my general running - its really worth it once you get ober the "frustration" of REALLY slow running lol.

Take it slow, and what worked great for me was imagining I was peddling the smallest bike in the universe - this helped keep my cadence up but not where I was over striding.

Hope this helps, and wishing you many happy miles in your future

[Frenc Graduate]

Hello Emble1. I totally understand as my area is hilly and I got bored of the kindest, least hilly route. I think you will surprise yourself - there is a hideous hill near me that I now regularly run up, although I’m sure I would actually walk up it faster! I just go SO slowly. And I imagine I’ve got a really mean sergeant major urging me on. As IannodaTruffe says, it will do wonders for your stamina, and I love Irish-John’s imaginary small bike 🚲! Best of luck, give it a go. 🏃‍♂️👍

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

As small steps as you can manage ... and zig-zag to make things easier if need be.