Is this cheating?

[champagne76]

Just reading ht posts about people struggling with hills, and I've realised that I've chosen the flattest place in the world to run as it's along the prom by the sea. Should I be trying to run up and down hills as well do you think, or just get through on th eflat?

[wilmacgh Graduate]

My "home run" has a bit of a hill including a really nasty steep bit but I do the Parkrun on a broad esplanade which is mainly flat with a little rise at one point. However I find on the coast you always seem to have a head wind at some point which is just as hard as going uphill.

I think it depends what stage you are at. If you're on the early runs don't worry but once you graduate you might want to try hills if only to add variety to the runs. They also say it builds stamina. There has to be a plus side for the pain!

[happierswimming Graduate]

i run on a treadmill without an incline and when I run outside I choose a canal towpath so I don't think you're cheating It's all about keeping going for 30 minutes, and when that's over, it's time to think about further challenges. Onwards and upwards

[RhonaL]

I run on the Somerset Levels - the name says it all! I'm not worrying about hills until after I graduate!

[champagne76]

Good plan! And Wilmacgh I like your point about the headwinds - I do struggle into the wind every time I run!

Wil keep 'cheating' until I graduate then - thanks guys!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I used to try and avoid ups at all costs so no your not cheating. Once you have finished the programme you can then concentrate on ups and downs (bonus) also running for longer to cover the whole 5K which you perhaps won't reach in the 30 minutes. Not many women do I've found out, I thought it was me that was very slow but its quite normal!! Running by the sea can in its self be a challenge as you nearly always get a sea breeze or in my case a North Sea gale most Parkruns!!

[sfb350 Graduate]

Yep, as others have said, don't even worry about it until you've completed the program. Hill practices will help with speed too but that can all wait until later. You're certainly not cheating.

[pingle Graduate]

Hi Champagne, I became very adept at planning my runs so I would only be running DOWN hills. I reasoned it was more important to finish than to be a purist. It is only in the last few days that I have finally bitten the bullet and run UP the hill outside my house. Don't worry, keep running and do whatever it takes to finish the programme. The hills will still be there waiting when you are ready for them! BTW running along the prom sounds blissful. I'm really jealous

[icandothis Graduate]

i run along the seafront,it may be flat but the wind coming off the sea can be a challenge! just starting to tackle hills, the fact you are out running is the important thing, don't think you are cheating

[juliebee Graduate]

I think you need some inclines to reallyappreciate that gift of a downhill beyond it! II didn't enjoy my one canal run as much as i thought I would!

[Stevetheb Graduate]

I run on a disused railway line, with the line and sleepers removed - a slight incline running out and a nice downhill run on the way back - it's lovely! Oh and lots of big puddles to avoid/run through depending....

[tantrumbean Graduate]

If it's cheating, then I'm cheating, too - doing my runs on the canal towpath, so it's as flat as it gets. However, I'm going to have to start practising hills at some point if I want to do our local Parkrun, 'cause that has the same nasty hill three times. Heyho, I'll cross that bridge (or should that be "crest that hill") once I've managed to graduate!

[TJFlute]

Are you running? If the answer is 'yes' then you're not cheating

[CaroleC Graduate]

I haven't got much choice about avoiding hills unless I want to do a 200yd stretch up and down the local main road (v.boring). I've built in hills from the beginning but that's just how it went, they are everywhere in my town - I never really thought about it that much.

For you they will still be there when you feel ready for them so I wouldn't worry about it!

CaroleC

[Saruma Graduate]

I've been graduated a year and only now am I starting to lose the fear of hills - until a few weeks ago I'd have done anything to avoid anything but the slightest incline xx