After week 9 > Interval training started, had great fun too.

[Oldgirl]

Was up and out at 6.00 this morning, cool but dry so ideal weather for jogging.

Had a 15 minutes warm up jog before I got to the area where I wanted to tackle my steep ups and downs. But I was not alone, Mr Fox was most annoyed as I frightened away a dozen or so little baby bunnies which I asume he had eyes on for breakfast, don't think he was very pleased as he took off with his tail sticking straight out behind him.

Then as I tackled my first steep up hill which has a sharp bend half way up it I got the shock of my life when I encountered two Roe Deer, they were not at all pleased at my disturbing them either and shot up the hill with a backward glance and a shake of their fluffy white tails. Huh I could have raced them to the top - - In my dreams!!!

After that exciting start it was just me and my steep ups and downs. 4 Laps of about 3/4Km each lap, and another steady jog home. Overall jogging time 42.35 so I guess I must have covered 5 - 6Km.

The ups no longer bother me I'm pleased to say, I was able to tackle them with confidence after the second time. One of the downs is very steep and I was reduced to little more than a shuffle, I need to strengthen the muscle above my knees so that I have the confidence that they won't give way.

So one question for anyone who has done fell running perhaps, "On steep downward slopes do you lean back into the hill or forward?"

This morning I've tried both and found both okay, but it depended on the steepness. Not too steep I could lean forward, the really steep one I found I leaned back into the hill, Is there a right or wrong way for this?

I've had a lovely session this morning and it made a nice change from jogging a straight 5K, will be doing this at least twice a week from now on.

[CaroleC Graduate]

Hi oldgirl,

I've read that your natural reaction to going downhill is to try and put the brakes on, but that is very hard on the legs and that really you should try and lean forward, or at least be perpendicular to the hill as you go down. Just try and take them lightly. Some leg work in the gym will help strengthen everything up to support those dratted slopes.

Well done on the hillwork, not easy but great for the rear if you get me.

CaroleC

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Ok CaroleC thanks for that, will try and not lean back and tip toe down next time!!!

Will get myself into the gym too, I'm down there 4 times a week for Pilates class and swim/aqua gym so not a problem to get in a half hour's workout before these sessions. Wahoo look out hills here I come - yahoo!!

I hated ups and downs before this but this has been fun this morning I think because there was no pressure to keep going and I could stop if needed, but I didn't need to.

[Nickyrunning Graduate]

Blimey oldgirl, you'll be in the Olympics 2016 at your rate!

Haven't got a clue about running up or downhill, having avoided any kind of hill so far!!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Hi Nickyrunning, I was the same but where I live there is small ups and downs that just can't be avoided. I began to dread them too. Then a coulple of days after I graduated I did my local Parkrun, now its FLAT and STAIGHT too and oh so very boring. It was that run that made my mind up that I had to get out of the habit of flat runs that hills up and down put variety into a run and would also build up stamina.

To say that I enjoyed this morning is an understatement, I loved it, the ups and the downs, after doing 4 laps I decided I had better get home cos I still had 2K to jog. So if you are like me, once you have graduated or even before give those ups and downs a try, although I'm glad I waited until I had finished C25K cos there's no pressure now, if I can't manage I won't have to repeat a run of a week so I was more relaxed. Great fun

[tantrumbean Graduate]

Wow! I'm going to have a party if I ever get to a day I can say I had a 15minute "warm up jog"!!!!