Life is lived on the hills. When you flat line it means you're dead.
Hills are usually a metaphor for challenges, and we see the most challenge in climbing uphill. However, I'm learning that running going downhill is just as challenging. Running uphill requires strength in your hamstrings and glutes. Running downhill causes increased impact on joints and requires strength in your quadriceps. It is much different from cycling. There's no coasting downhill in running. Both require strength. That's why many races advertise a "flat and fast course," and runners like those because they can run fast and strive for setting a personal record. However, runners also know how important it is to incorporate hills into their training in case there are rolling hills in the race. It's best to be prepared.
One of my favorite TV shows is Globe Trekker. It is a travel show, and trekkers go to remote and interesting places around the world. Each episode usually concludes with a trek up a famous mountain. One episode I remember best is one that showcased Switzerland. The climb was up the Matterhorn. As arduous as the climb to the summit was I couldn't help but thinking about how precarious the climb down would be. In fact, they pointed out how many climbers were injured or killed on the descent. Yikes!
The long run this past weekend was 9.5 miles through some of the hilliest neighborhoods in my city. We made it to the first water stop and then started what I thought was a pretty steep climb. I almost made it all the way to the top when I needed to stop and walk. Another runner warned me that there was another hill coming up. I thought, "Okay, I'll just recover a bit and then be ready for the next hill." We rounded the corner and even with craning my neck I couldn't see the top of this hill. It was too steep for me to run and took most of what I had in me to walk up. I didn't feel too bad because I could see other runners in the group walking ahead of me. We made it to the top and still had about 4-5 more miles to go.
I think it was about mile 7 or 8 when the fatigue really set in. I am doing a run/walk method of running 3/4 mile and walking 1/4 mile. I was on a 1/4 mile walk break looking ahead and seeing yet another hill ahead of me. About that time the driver of a dark red van started honking and waving at us. I knew it had to be someone I knew, but I couldn't see who it was. Even though I didn't know who it was it was such a boost to know that someone was cheering me on, and I really needed it at that point. I did find out who it was later, by the way.
The walk break was over and it was time for another 3/4 mile run and the next hill was approaching. My husband said to me, "I bet you're hoping the next walk break will hit just at the base of that hill." You know what? The 3/4 mile interval ended just there--at the base of the hill, and it was a 1/4 mile walk up and then the route flattened out a bit. Whew!
We made it to the end, and I'm noticing that something is starting to happen to me. I'm actually beginning to enjoy running!!
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