Hill Program

Daily Quote: "Think of a hill workout as a running-specific weight workout. The exaggerated knee lift, driving arms, and pronounced toe-off necessary to run up hills strengthens you every bit as much as hitting the weight room. Hill running also works the cardiovascular system as your heart tries to keep pace with the increased energy required to fight gravity. Consequently, hill workouts are very taxing and should be done only once or twice a week." --Ed Eystone, article "Head for the Hills" from Runner's World Magazine.

Today my plan is to run a hill program on the gym's treadmill, which challenges me with intervals of multiple hills and valleys with each hill becoming progressively more difficult.

8:30 a.m. Life Fitness Treadmill, Hill Program, Level 5 (the highest hill will be at a 5% grade), speed set at 6 mph. 6 miles. Time, one hour. I'm not used to hills and this workout kicked my butt!! Average heart rate, 167 bpm. Cardiac drift, 182 bpm. Right ankle was slightly complaining, but overall body functioned well with this new workout routine.

I plan on running short and easy on Thursday and Friday as to taper for Saturday's race, "Runnin' for the House 5k Run!"