All the downhill pounding's got to be pretty bad for the lower legs.
All the downhill pounding's got to be pretty bad for the lower legs.
Short answer: yes.
Longer answer: it depends.
With no other changes to your training regimen, yes you are more likely to get injured if you suddenly introduce more hills.
You really need to focus on improving your downhill running abilities. This is a skill that most runners don’t think about, but it can make a world of difference for both injury prevention, and running economy.
lives in a hilly area wrote:
All the downhill pounding's got to be pretty bad for the lower legs.
Own experience - no. I was my fittest and strongest when I used to live in a hilly area, never had a single injury. All the uphill work's got to be pretty good for the legs and heart, no? I used to enjoy running on the flat somewhere else every now and again, felt like I was flying after all those hills. Now I live somewhere flat, I really miss it. And I've had many injuries.
I just moved to a hilly area and, after being in a major slump for months, have been running up and down hills for the last three weeks. After a couple of sluggish days, my legs have awakened and feel revitalized. Uphill running is excellent for creating strength in all the right places.
I agree that focusing on form and taking it easy on downhills is important. Also, taking a flat day here and there is probably a good idea. In the big picture, though, running on varied, hilly terrain is way better for your body that the tedium of constant pancake runs.
I think hills make you strong and are great all around. But man I wish I had some pancake-flat areas around me that I could just cruise really fast.
I can't say the same, I have to drive 30-45min to get to the hilliest area in my town. I usually try to go there 2+times a week.
ReluctantBrit wrote:
lives in a hilly area wrote:
All the downhill pounding's got to be pretty bad for the lower legs.
Own experience - no. I was my fittest and strongest when I used to live in a hilly area, never had a single injury. All the uphill work's got to be pretty good for the legs and heart, no? I used to enjoy running on the flat somewhere else every now and again, felt like I was flying after all those hills. Now I live somewhere flat, I really miss it. And I've had many injuries.
+1, my experience too...
Normally running in a hilly area and often feel slow and sluggish but always feel really fast when running in flat area. In my experience hill are great for strength and form. Effective uphill running requires good form, however steep downhill is really hard for the legs! So both yes and no.