Running Tips: Hills

Run More Hills
“One of the beauties of hills is that they really work on dynamic power, hip strength, and hip mobility because you need to be able to go and drive those hips really high to get up.”

California Street, San Francisco

The Best Running Tips of All Time
Sometimes the simplest running advice is the best.
Outside
by Jay Bouchard

1. Strengthen Your Whole Body“Good runners condition their whole bodies. The arms drive the legs. Keep your upper body and core toned with a lot of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and back raises (don’t forget that the back is part of the core). Stay away from machine weights and stick to Pilates, climbing, and dynamic flexibility work like yoga.”--October 2013
   
2. Run More Hills“One of the beauties of hills is that they really work on dynamic power, hip strength, and hip mobility because you need to be able to go and drive those hips really high to get up.”--June 2015
   
3.  Quit Trying to Set Your PR“Be process oriented, not outcome oriented. Get a little better with each training session—a stronger squat, a harder effort on intervals. Don’t obsess about race day.”--July 2015
   
4. Hydrate (Especially Before Trail Races)“Due to their remote locations, many trail races have few (if any) water stations. Make sure to hydrate for days in advance, and—depending on the distance of the race—consider carrying a water bottle or hydration pack during the event.”--June 2013
   
5. Stretch and Refuel Immediately Post-Race“There’s a natural temptation when you finish a race to collapse on the ground and bask in your own private glory. This is a bad idea.”--October 2014
   
6. Find a Routine, Then Stick to It“I dialed in my race-day outfit and nutrition plan in advance to eliminate any surprises. I slept more, stopped drinking alcohol, and ate my vegetables. I put on the same clothes I had been training in for the past three weeks—black shorts, white top, gray socks—and ate my pre-planned breakfast of one banana, half a Clif Bar, and half a cup of coffee.”--May 2013