Up hill struggle!

[Oldgirl]

I am finding up hill a real struggle, does any one have any suggestions on how I can improve on this. At the moment I find that I get slower and slower until I would probably be faster walking!!!! Is there a right way to tackle these blessed 'ups'? Any suggestions will be better than just going on the way I am at this time.

[DuncanS Graduate]

You have my sympathy - I also have hills to deal with. The only thing I can advise is to run slower and take smaller strides during the climb. It is definitely harder than running on the flat so I look on it as probably doing me more good. And think what an advantage we'll have over everyone else in a race on the flat

Duncan

[CaroleC Graduate in reply to DuncanS]

I see it that way too Duncan. When I did my race last week, I knew it was a very hilly course, and deliberately trained on as many hills as I could on the weeks leading up to it...that definitely helped! If you train on hills, you can run hills (up to a point!)

CaroleC

[CaroleC Graduate]

Oldgirl,

I posted this answer to toonfan a couple of days ago to an identical question; it still holds true: There are many, many hills in my little town. If I want to avoid them I have to run up and down the same 200yd stretch or road. (death by boredom would surely follow within ten mins)

The best way I've found to cope with them is this; firstly, as you approach the hill/incline begin to breath deeper from the diaphragm, (it's called belly breathing). Push your tummy out as you breathe in. This helps your body to get more oxygen in even before you are on the slope; try to maintain it at least till you get to the crest of the hill.

Secondly, again as soon as you approach the hill begin to pump your arms a little harder to maintain your momentum.

Thirdly,look up the slope, pick a lamp post or a gateway; mentally tell yourself that you are going to run to that spot, then if you have to, you will walk! (but you won't will you???) If you manage to get to the first marker, do it again!!

The main thing to remember is to maintain the effort that you are putting in, NOT the pace or speed that you were managing to do on the flat. This is nearly always impossible to begin with and will only dispirit you if you fail. If you have to, go down to the briskest walk that you can manage. I have found that on extremely steep slopes, I can walk faster briskly, than I can jog slowly. It is not a crime.

Good luck, be bloody minded, and don't let the slopes get you.

CaroleC

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Thanks CaroleC for those tips, I've used the belly breathing but perhaps leaving it too late, will try starting earlier. Always pump the arms more for short sharp ups, the ones that tend to get me are the less steep longer ones. Could be old age but I'll never admit to that one!!!

Thanks again both of you and DuncanS you have my sympathy. A friend of mine lives in a very hilly area and now drives out 5 - 10 miles now and again for a lovely flat run. Think I would be doing the same if it was me.

[10k-wannabe]

Carole, that's a great piece of advice. I've been avoiding a steep road near me and I think I need to start tackling it this coming week!