Hill Repeats - The Gateway to Speed

Hill repeats are the best way and the best form of resistance training for runners.

Why? 

1. Hill Repeats are very sports specific

You are training your legs to become stronger while actually running. This always = greater benefits than if you are strength training in an non-sports specific way, such as with weights in a gym.

2. You will actually do them!

If you are a runner who, believe it or not, actually likes running, (*catch the sarcasm) then you are more likely to prefer strengthening your legs through actual running than by putting in time in the weightlifting room at the gym. So that means - you will actually do it!

Why Should Runners Hill Train?

1. Prevents injury!

Strengthening your main group of running muscles will most certainly decrease your risk of incurring a running injury .

Uphill running does precisely this.

However be very careful when running downhill as this is where your risk of injury increases sharply as you are using your eccentric forces in the muscles as a braking force to help you keep yourself in control on the way down. 

Walk or slowly jog to the bottom of the hill when done with your uphill sprint.

Also, just because it can be an injury prevention mechanism it does not mean that you should load your training week with hill workouts.

1-2 days a week of hill repeats is plenty to gain the benefits.

Also take a week off every once in awhile to really give yourself a break. Running hills too often can greatly increase your risk of injuries such as stress fractures and shin splints. 

2. It is the best way to prepare for speed training.

Not only do hill repeats strengthen our leg muscles but they also improve our cardiovascular system.

In order to take on speed training and strive for a time goal our body must be adapted to having a high amount of stress placed on it.

By incorporating hill repeats into our training we are giving our legs a taste of high impact running without turning it into a high impact anaerobic (oxygen deprived) workout like speed training.

3. Running hills will appropriately develop your leg muscles -

Particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles – which ultimately get your body ready for the intensity of speed training .

As you strengthen your calf muscles your body becomes better adapted to supporting your weight more forward on you your feet and takes advantage of the natural lever mechanism in your ankle.

Developing this leads to more efficient running!

4. Gives you a mental edge during races.

Being able to see a hill and take it down will give you confidence in a race.

While your competitors are struggling to overcome the hill you KNOW that you can tackle it and be successful if you have done hill workouts.

You won’t fear it but instead will look at it as an opportunity to pass up a couple runners!

This has a lot to do though with the form you use when you run up hill. Using proper form will make it not only feel easier but it will actually BE easier! 

Be sure to read the form tips for running hills included on this page. 

Also, if you are a marathoner looking to build your mental mindset for race day, I have a 20 Week Mental Training Plan for Marathoners! 

5. Teaches you how to sustain a steady rhythm and keep your stamina.

It is so important to have good rhythm especially when running the marathon or half marathon.

Having good stamina will help your running economy, conserve energy and it helps to get you through the hard times when you are feeling tired.

6. Helps you to mix up your training 

Not only does it give you a change up in your training but it also adds a new dynamic element if you feel your running is going stale.

Running hills can be an intense workout that really gives you a fresh new wind and an adrenaline rush. 

Who should be doing Hill Repeats?

As a healthy marathoner or half marathoner you most definitely do not want to shrug off this part of your training especially if you are going to be including any speed workouts into your training schedule.

I would recommend including hill workouts once a week for 4-8 weeks into your training plan before starting any formal speed work. 

It also is a good running workout for the “intermediate” recreational runners who might be running 3-4 days a week and want to add some strength runs to their routine one day a week. 

How to Run Hill Repeats:

Hill repeats, as the name suggests is basically just running up a hill using as much effort as possible, jogging back down and repeating the process.

Pretty simple.

However here are a few guidelines that you will want to be aware of.

1.Warm up for at least a 1-1 ½ miles. 

2.Don’t choose too steep of a hill.

Find a hill with about a 10-15% grade, not to steep (won’t help you develop a good rhythm with effort) but not too easy (won’t reap the benefits).

Pick something in the middle.

3.Run at about 5K effort. 

You will want to put effort and power into your hill repeats.

Almost to the top of the hill your breathing should feel very labored and your legs heavy.

This is normal and is a good gauge of how much effort you are putting into the repeats.

4.Jog or walk slowly back down the hill. 

Give yourself a chance to catch your breath and restore some strength in your legs. 

That first repeat can sometimes be the hardest one to get through!

We don't want any injuries when running hills!

5.Do another repeat.

Give it your all! 

Put in all the effort and power that you have - again!  And for each subsequent repeat.

6. Cool down by running easy for at least a mile when you are done.

You can breathe easy! 

The repeats are over and you are getting stronger!

Now enjoy a slow run of about a mile or more.  Running gently.

Correct Form for Running Hills and Hill Repeats

Form when running uphill:

Keep Your posture straight

Don’t lean too far forward or backward.

You will get a greater push off the ground if you keep your posture erect and in line – head, chest, hips, feet. This will keep you from having to fight gravity the whole way up.

Shorten your stride and increase your footsteps

Don’t take long strides as this will drain you of energy that could be conserved.

Also the more frequently you take steps, the less impact will be placed on your body.

Don't keep the same speed as your 5k pace but keep the same effort

As mentioned earlier, a good gauge of this is your breathing.

pick up the rhythm and arm swing slightly as you near the top.

This will help to give you that extra push to surge over the hill.

stay mentally focused

Hill workouts are hard but if you stay focused and tell yourself you can do it then you CAN do it.

keep your heels under your knees

When running up a hill, do not allow your feet to extend out beyond your knee.

You are already placing a good amount of stress on your knee joint by just running up an increase, don't accentuate the stress by foot striking out in front of your knee.

once in awhile, check your breathing

When running up hills you should be running at 2-2 (2-steps breathing in, 2 steps breathing out) or maybe a 2-1 or 1-2.

Also, using correct breathing posture can really make a difference in comfort and efficiency. 

When Running Downhill:

never run too fast down a hill

It is much easier to injure yourself when running downhill versus running uphill because you are placing a lot of braking force (eccentric stress) on your quadriceps and lower leg muscles as you go.

Don't ever think that you do not need to train yourself to run downhill properly!

Your legs will take a beating if you do not employ an appropriate pace and stride for your body.

give yourself time to recover

Allow gravity to carry you. If you have been doing hill repeats, then this is your time to recover.

Do a slow, light jog to the bottom or even walk.

do not pound when descending a hill

The force imparted on your body is already high enough due to gravity.

Although it may feel easier than running uphill, many, many running injuries are due to running downhill.

Your eccentric muscle forces are working to cause a breaking force and if your body is not used to this type of running it can be very damaging especially for beginners.

don't increase your stride length

Many runners extend their landing foot too far out in front of their body when they are coming down a hill.

Keep your foot right under your center of mass and take short, quick steps.

Be aware of your pace as you reach the bottom.

A lot of runners make the mistake of not slowing their pace down to normal and continue at a faster pace once they reach flat surface.

During a long run or a race this can be devastating. 

How to Add Hill Training Into Your Running Routine:

Here are some guidelines for including hill repeats into your routine:

• Hill workouts should be done in cycles and should last about 4-8 weeks in length.
• Hill workouts are usually done only once a week (more advanced runners can do them twice a week) as they place a load of stress on your body.
• During your weeks of hill training, keep your running schedule but don’t schedule a long run or other stressful workouts either the day before or after you run hill repeats. It’s too much for your body and sets you up for injury.
• Start your hill training with no more than 4 hill repeats and increase each week by no more than two extra repeats. Marathoners should work to be able to do about 12-14 repeats at the end of their hill training. After 4-8 weeks you are ready for speed training!

Where to Run Hill Repeats?

Obviously the most intuitive place to run a hill workout is on a hill!

However some runners live in flat places where no hill can be found for miles. (Kansas! - luckily I live in a hilly part of KS)

If this is your story don’t worry, be happy, there are alternatives. 

Here are some ideas:

Run on a treadmill

Many treadmills have an incline option that will give you a good hill workout.

Increase the incline and try to sustain a hard effort for about 30-45 seconds.

Slow it down, recover, and repeat.

(I have 7 different treadmill workouts on this page!)

Run on Sand

Another option (if you are lucky enough to live near one) is to run on sand – yes, a sandy beach.

This provides resistance very much like a hill.

Try and keep your running shoes on though the sand and unstable surface can give you the worst foot rub and muscle soreness!

Run on the steps in a stadium

Another alternative is to run up stadium steps or take to the stairs in a tall building. They will all help you build power and increase your strength!

Here's to getting over the hump!

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