Does running hills ever get easier?

quilteryoyo
quilteryoyo Posts: 6,450 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi,

I am fairly new to running...been consistently running 3 times a week since November 2011. I managed to run 30 minutes without stopping on the treadmill and then took to running on my local road once the weather got warmer. I had to almost start over again, but today finally managed to run 35 minutes without stopping. Yeah me.

However, the route I ran today took me up some fairly steep hills. I hate running hills. They wear me out and I go so slow. Is there a way to get better at running them?

Also, I have a 5K coming up on Saturday which has a couple of fairly steep hills. I really think I could walk up them faster than I could run them. I had wanted to run the entire thing, but should I walk the hills to improve my time?

Replies

  • sammygais
    sammygais Posts: 2
    running up hills is hard, it will eventually get easier as you do it more and the body adapts. after 6 weeks of it your fitness will improve dramatically
  • Moriarty_697
    Moriarty_697 Posts: 226 Member
    It does get easier but hills are still nasty, nasty things. I keep hoping to find that magical running route from my home that is downhill all the way back to my home but it hasn't happened yet.

    I say do what you feel like. There is no shame in walking. That said, I've been in the the same position as you, wanting to run the whole thing for the accomplishment of being able to say you ran it all. Personally, I would run it.

    Have fun.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    To get better at running hills, you have to run hills. Simple as that. :)

    Hills are speed work in disguise. I try to incorporate hills into ever route that I run. It pays huge dividends on race day.
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,450 Member
    Thanks. I guess I just have to keep running hills and deal with it. I really was proud of myself for making up the hills I did today. This is the 3rd day I've run this route and the one hill is about .3 miles long. There is one little plateau about mid-way and then a little down hill. So, that helps. At least I can now run them. Before I would die and have to stop. I'll just see how I feel when I'm running on Saturday and then decide whether to walk or not.
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,450 Member
    To get better at running hills, you have to run hills. Simple as that. :)

    Hills are speed work in disguise. I try to incorporate hills into ever route that I run. It pays huge dividends on race day.

    I like that you say hills are speed work in disguise. Their disguise must be really, really good here in E. TN as slowly as I run them. :laugh:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    It does get easier but hills are still nasty, nasty things. I keep hoping to find that magical running route from my home that is downhill all the way back to my home but it hasn't happened yet.

    :laugh: Me too. I live halfway up a hill, but the only route that would take me downhill toward home has no sidewalks and is too high traffic to run safely. So the last quarter of a mile is always uphill.

    I found it's psychologically easier to run uphills on trails. I think it's because my brain is busy with safe food placement, so I don't look up. Plus, the trees hide the view of the incline. There's nothing more demoralizing to me when running than seeing the entire hill looming before me. It seems to stretch higher and longer with each step... like when the Mom was trying to run down the hallway in the movie Poltergeist!

    I also make a pact with myself that if I run to the top of the hill, I'll take a walk break. Usually when I get to the top, going back downhill is so much easier that I forget to walk.

    Edited to add: And as slow as I FEEL when running up hills, it does make for a big payoff during races. I typically pass people the most on the uphill bits, because the uphill bits during the races aren't as steep as the ones I usually tackle.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    To get better at running hills, you have to run hills. Simple as that. :)

    Hills are speed work in disguise. I try to incorporate hills into ever route that I run. It pays huge dividends on race day.

    I like that you say hills are speed work in disguise. Their disguise must be really, really good here in E. TN as slowly as I run them. :laugh:

    Just keep running them and then sign up for a 5K on a flat course and watch your old PR get crushed. :smile:
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    It does get easier, but take a look at your technique too.

    Take smaller steps with a faster turnover. Keep your body upright or lean slightly forward from the hip - don't hunch over. Keep your arms low and driving forward in short forward strokes. Look ahead of you rather than down at your feet.

    Even if you don't actually go faster than walking, by keeping up a running turnover you'll soon speed up. Good luck!
  • quilteryoyo
    quilteryoyo Posts: 6,450 Member
    Thanks. And, Carson Runs, I don't know of anyplace I could drive to that actually has a flat course for a 5K. That's the joy of living in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. Even though, in thinking about the course I'm running on Saturday, I don't think as much of it is hills as I've been running these last few days. Maybe I'll do better than I'm expecting.

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