I wanted to title this post “loving the hills,” but that just isn’t going to happen. I’ve made great strides in the past two weeks to embrace the hills though. And I already feel like it’s making me a strong runner.
RUNNING HILLS
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about pushing past my status quo in running. I talked about how I had slipped into a bit of a running rut over the holidays and I needed to shake things up a bit. That, in combination with my epic fail at running hills at the Frostbite 5K, made me realize I must at least try to embrace these mountains and RUN THE HILLS.
I found a nice 3 mile loop with some epic hills. I’m not talking rolling hills, but really good mountain leg burners. I figured if I could learn to run this loop, I could run any race in town.
My plan is to run this course once a week. If I feel any ankle trouble, (the reason why I stopped running hills in the first place) I would rest and then back off to every other week.
I decided to take the course slowly, not worry about time, and make sure I could finish strong. This is what I ended up with…
![IMG_2167[1]](https://www.runninginaskirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_21671.jpg "IMG_2167[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=")
I made this my baseline for running this loop and my new goal to try to run it faster each time. So far I’ve run the loop 3 times, a little faster each try. No ankle trouble and I’m already feeling stronger and more confident with the hills. It is so refreshing to have a whole new running challenge.
I can’t say I LOVE running hills, but they are certainly growing on me.
RUNNING FARTHER
My new hilly running plan has also pushed me to run faster in my weekend runs! Check out my 4 mile run times from the past few weeks….
![IMG_2195[1]](https://www.runninginaskirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_21951.jpg "IMG_2195[1]")
This past weekend I felt like I could have pushed this time even faster.
![IMG_2284[1]](https://www.runninginaskirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_22841.jpg "IMG_2284[1]")
My lungs have felt a little stronger too since I started running the hills. I've had several weeks of really good running and it feels great.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is embrace the things we KNOW are good for us.
Bring on the hills. I can handle it!
Questions:
Do you embrace the hills?
How is your running going lately?
[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Hayden Stewart says
Uphill runs are only possible for me if I constantly remind myself that what I'm doing is very beneficial. Thanks for sharing!
Sue Gray says
Julie try doing the ABCs with your feet to strengthen those ankles. It's great for your tendons . Run on sister!!!!
JulieWunder says
Sue! thanks for the tip! I remember that nowfrom the PT I did after I hurt my ankle.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I have a love/hate relationship with hills. They are never fun in the moment, but I love how strong they make me feel afterwards.
Dan Steadman says
Good job getting after it Julie!! I don't know if embrace is the right word but I enjoy the challenge of uphill training, makes you stronger and gives an edge in a race (or if I'm training for anything Asheville it's a necessity). I'm not where I want to be so far running, but it's getting better..after a disappointing HC10k (ran sick and the day after my adopted grandma passed), I won my age group at Green Valley, didn't train like I should have and just decided to use Reedy as a 6 mile tempo to train for the Y to Y HM in April and hit the pace I was looking to keep and felt great at the start and end, goal accomplished...now on to the Y to Y...
Jaime says
I hate hills. Unless they're downhill. 😉 It's impossible for me to run in my neighborhood, on campus or anywhere in Asheville without going uphill at least once. Some days are better than others! And you're times are SO GREAT!!
JulieWunder says
Downhills are awesome! That's why I love Downhill at Dawn :-)... even though it's not all downhill.