Runners...hills and flat land

twinmom_112002
twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Random Question...I am prepping for a half marathon in August. I live in the foothills of a mountain and there is no flat land around my house. This means that half of my run is uphill and half is downhill. The question comes from the fact that my half is flat with the exception of a small hill at mile 12 (is that mean or what?).

I know I can run hills but I don't often make an effort to drive down to the beach in order to run flat. Should I run a flat run once a week or will I be prepared enough by just running my local terrain?

Replies

  • ipsamet
    ipsamet Posts: 436 Member
    Being able to run hills will only make you better prepared, I would think! The flat run will be that much easier.
  • Trail_Addict
    Trail_Addict Posts: 1,340 Member
    I'm in a similar situation. You'll get benefits that most others don't.

    The uphill running will make you a powerful runner, especially on the hills.
    You can use downhill sections for speedwork. It'll help you train your legs to turnover faster.
    Your long runs will be slower because of the hills, but once race day comes around you should have a stronger race.
  • InTheInbetween
    InTheInbetween Posts: 192 Member
    Prepping on your local terrain should be fine especially if you're routinely running the hills. Practicing on hills makes a flat course all that much easier!
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    Thanks...my concern was that while half of my run is harder than the race will be the other half of my run is much easier. On the plus side the hills are doing wonders for my butt :-)
  • Trail_Addict
    Trail_Addict Posts: 1,340 Member
    Thanks...my concern was that while half of my run is harder than the race will be the other half of my run is much easier. On the plus side the hills are doing wonders for my butt :-)

    Trust me.... the "easy" parts don't outweigh the "hard" parts. You don't get back the extra fuel burned from running up the hills.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    You should be fine. The only negative I've heard is that if you are running an all flat race, your muscles fatigue because of the continued repitition compared to running ups & downs. I have no personal experience to verify this statement.
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    The hills will make you stronger, but if it was me, I would go to a local high school track once a week and run flat , or a mall's parking lot will have flat areas...Your muscles will work differently running flat v. hills...this way you get used to flat running for long distance and find your rythme...

    I live in the mountains of NJ (yes, NJ has mountains :))...I don't have a flat road near me...there is a trail that is flat that I go to...the hills have made me strong, the flat helps me with endurance....
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    You should be fine. The only negative I've heard is that if you are running an all flat race, your muscles fatigue because of the continued repitition compared to running ups & downs. I have no personal experience to verify this statement.

    I've heard this too.

    My hubby and a friend ran the half marathon in Vegas and it was basically flat, very little elevation change and they both complained of being more sore after that race than races that contain hills.

    Running hills is always a good thing! Keep it up!

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