Hill - should i do it, or be conservative? (Read 734 times)

Hi, you can tell from my log I am still a new and under experienced runner. If you're gonna look at it, please don't just look at this month (I was going through a "thing") I dont know if I have officially "gotten a good base" yet or not, but here's my dilemma. i am housesitting for my parents and in their neighborhood is a really good hill. I dont kow how tall or how much rise or whatever, but i know its enough that if you walk up it, you are surely a little winded. I saw some H.S. running kids doing some training on it today and i thought about wanting to try it. I just bought new shoes, and MAY have dodged a IT injury last week, but still - I dont have ANY hills near my house! I just want to try it out once - should I? I was thinking I would do a warm-up lap around the block or maybe 2 for a total distance of approx 1 mile. Then hit the hill. I would start with a downhill and then a very slow uphill. Walk the next downhill and jog the next uphill, followed by one last jog down. I would probably walk up it as my cool down to get back to the house. Does that sound ok? Or should I not even attempt this with my current experience? I'm not usually one to get too excited about going out on a run, but i have to say, I am kinda salivating over this just thinking about it. I'm sure that will quickly change into cursing the whole time if i actually attempt it.

Go for it - you can never run too many hills.

Hills make running worth doing - go for it! Lots of different ways you can attack it, here's my recomendation: After a bit of a warmup, head up the hill, trying to keep your effort the same as it was on flat ground (you won't really be able to, but try). Obviously your pace will ease up a bit and that's ok. Head up and down a few times that way. Remember, back straight, head up, don't let yourself hunch. On your last one (however many that may be) hit it kinda hard. I wouldn't sprint, but try and make a tempo like effort up that sucker. enjoy!

Less talk more action. Hills are an excellent workout, just be careful on the downhill side. Keep your stride short and lean down the hill to stay off your heels. If your knees start to hurt, stop running and walk down. Tom

Take the hill! You know you want to, because you'd never have asked us otherwise. There it is, taunting you. It's like a giant middle finger, just giving you the eff you. And if you have to walk, fine. I guess warm up a bit. Or, make it your warm up. Then spit on the summit.

Love this! I'm gonna whoop that Mother-Fer. Or at least give it a good "run" (no pun intended)

My best advice is to talk to the hill (yell if there is nobody around). I taunt them, tell them they're nothing. Tell them you've seen worse. Sometimes I even swear at them, if I'm hurting by the top. No matter what, don't let it know that it's getting to you. As soon as you admit that you're done for!

Excellent for you!