What’s Your Strategy For Running On Hills?

Over the course of the last two days, I’ve spent a total of 14 hours in an automobile.  Suffice it to say that by the time today rolled around, I was feeling a little stir crazy.  So today, I went to the gym before work, and this afternoon I went for a run.  I’m guessing that’s what made me decide to torture myself run hills today.  As I was engaging in self-inflicted agony, I started thinking about the different strategies for running on hills.

The “Save Your Energy” Strategy

When I was preparing for my half marathon, I spent a great deal of time contemplating this subject.  I came to the conclusion that when tackling longer distances, running on hills consumes more calories, and so could lead to fatigue more rapidly.  My thinking at the time was to reduce my pace on the hills, and then pick it up on the downhill side and flats.  This approach allows you to conserve your strength, and presumably, stretches your reserves.  I got through the run, so I guess it worked.

The “Kill Them On The Hills” Strategy

Since running the half marathon, I’ve switched to shorter distances, preferring to keep my runs to 5 miles or less most days.  I know it reduces my cardiovascular endurance, but I’ve taken up cross training to compensate.  One day, I was running with a long-time friend who, at the time, was a Marine.  We hit a long hill, and about the time I was gearing down to conserve my energy, he floored it.  I chased him down and asked what the heck he was doing, to which he responded that the proper approach to running was to attack the hill.  Spoken like a true Marine, I guess.  I’ve since heard others mutter similar attitudes when it comes to shorter runs, at least.

There’s a lot to be said for hill running, when it comes to building speed, strength, and endurance.  The extra resistance can definitely make you a stronger runner, if you’re willing to endure the agony.  To be honest, I avoided hill workouts for quite some time.  Now I’m searching for the redeeming qualities, and have started trying to work a few more hills into my runs.

What’s your approach for running on hills?  Are you a saver, or do you burn it on the hills?