Hills

In my real life I have only known 2 runners who I can call "friends". One is a dear friend and quite a bit older than I am. We used to meet up once a week - he on his "recovery" run and me, well, on my tempo. He is so fast - I envy his speed, and he thinks I am "graceful" - I think thats a polite way of saying *pat* *pat* Aditi!! Anyway, I have known him since my Brisbane days when I started running and he shifted to Singapore 2 years before I did. We often met up to tackle hills and he was always my Yoda and taught me to relax.

This morning as I was getting through my run, I thought of the hills that we encounter in our own lives. During a run, hills are an interesting challenge. We know we have the strength and experience to get through a climb, so it isnt a physical thing as much as its mental. Looking at something hard looming ahead is a daunting exercise in any capacity, running or not. I have friends who are going through hills in their own lives: a cancer diagnosis, looking after a sick parent, divorce, among many others. The incline ahead seems to be steep and unyielding. So how do we prepare? Running hills mirrors this and offers some clues. First, we relax. This is essential. Then we remind ourselves and each other that we have the strength for climbing. Ideally, we should breathe deeply. Then we begin. We lift our legs and pump up our arms and go at our own pace. This is incredibly important. Its easy to lose heart on a hill when we compare ourselves to those around us. We waste energy by taking our focus off the goal, which of course, is to finish. Some people attack a hill, others run steady. Some have a mantra, others need a clear head. Its good to know what kind of climber you are, the middle of the hill is not a good time to change tactics. When we practice enough by running hills, we develop our own strategies and rhythms. We become fitter and less fearful with more practice.

I am trying to get to a place where I welcome all hills in my own life, running or not. I want to be in a perpetual state of preparation, and this gives both pleasure and purpose to my training. This time, I want to be ready. For what? I am not exactly sure.

Monday: 25 minute stairs. 20 minutes of jumping rope. 25 minutes of weights.
Tuesday am: 55minute 12 kms. 5 minutes of core.