Another hilly 10k 😲

[MutleyShuffle]

Had a good run at the Crowborough 10k this morning - pleased with my time of 1:03:50, just a few seconds slower than my last 10k which was much flatter. The course was two laps with a hoooge hill that obviously you had to do twice! I am going off two-lappers, especially when they have big hills in them! I was determined to keep running up the hills this time, as at my last hilly 10k (Beckley) I walked the hilly sections a few times and felt a bit disappointed with myself. I just about made it up the big hill the second time round, going so slow that a man was walking alongside me at the same pace! Felt pleased that I managed it though.

A friend from my running group said to me that it's not necessary to run up all the hills, and it can be beneficial to your body to have walking breaks. I thought it would be good to build up endurance in training for my half marathon next March, which is also hilly, so I prefer to keep jogging. What do other people think?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

What do I think? I think you're amazing! 10K in that time, and with two huge hills - just amazing. Very well done. I can only agree with you on the walking though - I think that was the main source of my disappointment in my GSR experience. My head says it has to be absolutely fine (and it even makes perfect sense when it gets you to finish quicker too), but my heart or soul or whatever it is, seems to entirely disagree

Big congratulations to you from my heart and soul

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Aw thanks Linda, you are so sweet! 😊 Yes people that walked up the hills were zooming past me once we got over the top, but that didn't deter me!!

[Hidden]

Wow Mutley, you are a hilly 10km muncher. You'll probably come to a standstill with boredom during a flat 10km... Well, I know nothing about walking breaks. I do think that it's no harm to take it easy from time to time, go more slowly, take a running break of a few days from time to time. I'm in overdrive myself with one class of Pilates, two core strengthening classes and 3 runs per week. Something's gotta give and I hope it won't be my knee....

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha I like that, "hilly 10k muncher"! Sounds like you are going great guns yourself! Got to get myself to a class soon... I bought myself some little hand weights the other day for strength exercises - getting prepared! You should stay strong with all those classes, go you! 💪👍🏃

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon]

Well done! Great time and great medal! I prefer to keep jogging up hills however slowly rather walking as I find I lose momentum if I take walking break.

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to Hillrunner2201]

Thank you Hillrunner! It is pretty bling isn't it 😊 Yes I know what you mean, it can be hard to get going again after a walking break.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done!! You did great! I'm like you in that sometimes I just really want to keep going with hills and feel a great achievement making it to the top. Our nastiest hill over here I've only run all the way twice out of 6 attempts and my times on strava say it's quicker to walk! But occasionally just need that triumphant moment!!

Hope you have had a relaxing evening!😊

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thank you aliboo 😊 Yes sometimes it's not all about speed, it's proving to yourself you can do it, and yes, the triumph! 😁

[MadDave]

Great time for a hilly 10k, and a very fetching piece of bling to add to the collection 👍

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon]

Thanks Dave 😊 Yes it's a pretty one! 🏅

[misswobble Marathon]

Gorgeous medal!

Well done 💪😃👍🏃‍♀️

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you misswobble 😊 Isn't it a lovely one? I think I may need to get (or make) some kind of medal display stand to show off all my lovely bling! I have a nice piece of driftwood that might work...

[misswobble Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

You sure do! My son bought me a metal one. “This girl’s runs” wrought in black metal at the top Its full so apparently I am getting a new one for Mother's Day

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

That's so cool! What a lovely son 😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Fabulous - well done Mutley!

Regarding walking hills vs running them - it depends on a lot of things! Race day tactics could call for walking up the hills, if it works out quicker to do so. Walking breaks may well be beneficial as your friend suggests, for example Jeff Galloway's thesis is that they help prevent injury. Running up hills, if they are steep, is very hard on the tendons and muscles at the backs of the legs. But running up hills is also, as you say, very good for building your stamina. Hill repeats are frequently mentioned in training plans, and if you are training for a hilly race it makes a lot of sense to run hills.

So, I'd say there's certainly a time and a place for running uphill!

NB - don't forget about training for running DOWN hills too 😊

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thank you roseabi, lots of food for thought there 😊 I was going to enter the Eastbourne HM to get a flatter course, but talking to other people I have decided to go for the hilly Hastings Half - got to be loyal to my lovely home town! I need to look at my training plan again now and make sure I have enough hill work in there! Yes will read up about running downhill too 😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Ha - that's the half I'm doing 😊

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Yay! I'll be the one shuffling up the hills in my pawprint leggings! 😁🐾

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done. That is a nice bit o' bling too.

A big no-no for me when considering entering races is laps. Partly for the reason you mentioned - having to face a tough part again, but also for the thought of getting lapped.

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thank you Whatsapp - yes I will be paying more attention in future as to whether there are laps - I much prefer one big loop 😊

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Yes. I don't mind an out-and-back either.

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

I haven't done an out and back 10k, I suppose the Bexhill Poppy was a bit like that but twice! I think I prefer a loop - more interesting!

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Thats why I did the 5k rather than the 10k (Bexhill), as it was 'twice round the track'. The HM, I believe, was x4 round. But yest a loop or point-to-point makes it much more interesting

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon]

That's a lovely medal!

As far as running v walking I think it very much depends on your own personal goals. I know some very good runners who will walk up some of the hills in xc races as they know they will get a better time that way. Personally at the moment I'm just trying to keep running (no matter how slowly!) so as to improve my endurance.

Sounds like there might be quite a few of us trotting up and down the hills of Hastings come the end of March 😁

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Oh goody, more the merrier! 🤗

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

That's a lovely medal and a super time for a hilly 10K too! Well done!🙂👏👏 I have to agree with you on run/walk thing, although I know it is very accepted to walk hills in some trail races. I guess, do what you feel most comfortable with.🙂

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandra 😊

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon]

Brilliant! Well done MS! And what colorful bling too! 😃🏃‍♀️❤️

I’ve yet to try any real hills, and am planning a flat HM, so can’t advise on walk break strategy plans I’m afraid. Jeffing seems to have lots of supporters, though. I used to get regularly overtaken by a lady run/ walking at Parkrun - before I even realised it was a deliberate “thing”. 😂

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thanks MD! Yes I think a lot of non-running folks think you are cheating if you walk - now us educated ones know it's a strategy! 😁