Former runner, now hobby jogger here. Looking for the assistance of the letsrun experts...
So...15 years post competitive career - run with some work folks Tuesday/Thursday morning. One of the guys win my group posed a question to me last week which was struggling with. He's getting into shape (shape being 95 min half marathon) but whenever we do our training runs we take 2 mins out of him on any big hill..and then he kicks our ass when pace picks up last mile or so. For background....the run we do includes....1 mile...straight up at the 1.5 mile mark.
When asked about whats the problem with the hill, I said 'well its obviously a mental thing, because your last mile and race performances show that its not a fitness thing'. I'm thinking that ..he just thinks he's hurting more than he is on the hill so shuts down and jogs slowly up. I always think (even when was in shape)..that sometimes no matter how good a shape you are in..a large hill always knocks the shit out of you....so I'm telling him he just needs to push hard up hill...stay with pack..and...at the top he's not going to feel any different.
Any other thoughts? I don't think I ever heard of physiological reasons why some folks would struggle more on a climb and be grand on the flat?