Hill Training Ahead

Can I admit here that I’m a little less than stoked to be running Griffith Resolution in January, just as I blow out my birthday candles? I’m a little mad at myself for signing up for this punishing race again. It’s like giving myself a lump of coal for Christmas.

Let me explain why I’m feeling extra blah about it: I hate having to walk hills during races. Walking races makes me feel defeated. For this reason, I try to incorporate hill training and strength training. I’ve walked plenty of hills over the last few years, and only in the last 16 or so months have I been able to confidently get through anything more than a couple hundred feet of gain during a long run. Coming from SF to LA, I actually increased my hill training. Where we are in east LA, we have way more runner-friendly hills to incorporate into daily runs. So, I run more hills in LA than I ever did in SF. Who would have thought?

Anyway, I proudly managed the rollers during LAM, refused to walk even a single hill during the SF half, enjoyed tackling that stupid hill at the end of MCM, and yet… Every single time I run in Griffith Park, I wind up walking up a grade or two. Griffith hills are steep and so dang lonnnnng bc the trail never simply cuts up the hill. Some of the trails are switchbacks that wind up and up and up and up for-effing-ever.

It sounds like I might have a goal for this lovely hilly race. It sounds like my goal is to jog up every hill without walk breaks.

The views, though. Gotta do it for the views. Need to plan a sweaty brunch and a birthday champagne for right after. Give myself something extra pleasant to enjoy after crossing the finish line.

Wish me luck! Happy New Year!