Hill Training (aka Hill Repeats).

It is one of the pillars of virtually every marathon training program. Most people train hills because:

• They will be experiencing them in their race.
• It has been shown to be superior to building strength compared to methods such as weight training as it relates to this sport.
• It breaks up the monotony of continual loooong mile training.

If you are already doing hill training, you can probably add a couple more benefits to the list. If you don’t currently, you undoubtedly could add to this list from the articles and/or books you may have read. There is always more than meets the eye.

If you have ever been to Disney, you have undoubtedly heard of the “Hidden Mickeys.” These are the images of Mickey Mouse cleverly disguised or concealed in pictures, walls, rides and a host of other non-obvious places. In a way, Hill Training is like this — it contains many hidden benefits that are never publicized.

Most runners will complete a distance and proceed to define the given training. “It was great because __________” or “It did not go well due to ________.” With Hill Training, no matter how you feel, regardless of external circumstances such as the weather, upon completion of this training, virtually everyone feels as if something significant was accomplished. They feel good about themselves. There is something inherently rewarding, something very symbolic about completing a hill repeat. It is as if we are tapping into a universal Jungian archetype, an inner tape we all possess, regardless of race, nationality, age etc, that says we did something tough. We made it and we were not always sure we could. Listen to the phrases typically used:

• “I made it to the top.”
• “I reached the peak.”
• “It was a struggle, but I found a way to reach the very top.” (Let’s leave aside the fact that that is where your car is parked and you have no other way home.)

You are always listening to you. Always. What wonderful messages such phrases (listed above) truly are. Our bodies, minds and souls must love hearing these.

It is also the ultimate metaphor or microcosm of life — The uphill battle. The struggle to climb to the top. And finally, making it, regardless of obstacles.

The brilliant psychiatrist Milton Erickson would often tell his patients to climb one of the many mountains in Phoenix to “find the solution.” Invariably, his patients would climb said mountain and be thrilled when they came back with THE solution. They would find the truth or at least cease to cherish their opinions.
This treatment would work partly because movement is medicine. Mainly because the symbolism of climbing a mountain or hill is universally powerful, and when emotions change, behavior changes.

This training really comes in handy around mile 22.

Or in life. . . .

Yesterday, I did the second race of the weekend, the Bay to Bay 12k in St. Petersburg. Much different course and experience compared to the Dragon.

Bay to Bay was as flat as anywhere you will find in FL. In addition, it was a straight shot from one Bay down to the pier area where it did a couple of twists and turns. The pier itself was an absolutely beautiful sight, jutting out about a half mile in Tampa Bay and overlooking the magnificent water.

Anyone looking for a PR, this is the place to be. Anyone looking for an enjoyable run, an experience, something with a little sparkle, this is not the place to be. About 95% went through obscure, low energy neighborhoods. The sights of Advanced Auto Parts or Burger King next to neglected houses just doesn’t do a whole lot to inspire me.

Unlike a Space Coast or Celebration 10K, the race lacked any personality. Love them or hate them, Disney races have personality. There are themes and the actions, people and objects are consistent with the themes. Bay to Bay was akin to a training run in downtown anywhere. Yes, you get a workout in but with races, I am looking for more then just a mere workout. This I can get anywhere and I don’t have to drive nearly 2 hours, as was the case here. There simply was no color here. It was a bland pastel, faded from sun exposure.

The one clear conclusion from this weekend that I am grateful for is this — unless it is at least a half-marathon or above, stay in your neighborhood. Central FL has a a ton of less-than-half-marathon-distances and a 20 minute drive to run them with a bunch of friends sounds much better.

I definitely appreciate what is in my backyard.

I am a total sucker for certain words or phrases — hidden secrets, fire, ancient wisdom and dragons to name a few. So it is no surprise that when I heard about the “Eye of the Dragon 10K,” I signed up immediately. (BTW, it you are selling the book of Hidden Secrets of Ancient Wisdom of the Fire Dragons, I would like to pre-order a dozen copies.)

It seemed simple enough - 10K which was close to my training goal for Saturday of 6.5 miles. I was prepared for the mileage, not prepared for the route.

The 10K was divided into 2, 3-mile loops. The first loop was filled with hills and turns and twists along the Eau Gillue which is a French phrase for either (a) a basin near a river or (b) sadistic race planner. In addition to the undulations, the surface was unusually rough with continual 2 -3 inch cracks in the black top. It was like running on the surface of a giant page written in braille. Once this portion was completed, it only got tougher.

Next came the rather large bridge run section. A couple of up and overs and repeats did a number on my already sore feet. My goal was to finish in 1:08. Probably not going to happen.

Just went you thought it was safe to get back in the water, Mother Nature decides that 25-30 mph headwinds would be the crowning touch. It was akin to running on treadmill. Great day if you were a kite. Despite the challenges, I did get my 1:08, a new PR and was happy about this. Nice to be on target this early in the year.

Overall, I would say this is a very good race if you want a challenging course and surface. It was a little too early in my training and I almost bite off more than I could chew. I was draggin’ more than dragon.

Bravo once again to the Space Coast Marathon group. They were extremely organized, polite and very runner-friendly. More than enough liquids were on the course and a respectable buffet there at the end. Course was perfectly marked and easy to follow. Creative prizes of dragon statues. . . what else. . . went to winners and the middle of the pack finisher.

What I enjoyed most about this was the ride home. I took a different route that sent me to the St. Cloud area near the St. John’s River. Drove by the NY Yankees getting ready for a spring training game as well as a half dozen 6-7 ft., alligators resting in the sun, having their morning cup of coffee. Seeing the Yankees brought me back to my baseball days. Funny how much things change. 20 something years ago, I said to myself I would be so grateful if things would change, particularly change the way I want them to.

Today, I am so grateful. That is why things change, particularly the way I want them to.

“You’re not a real runner if___________”

• You don’t do marathons.
• You ‘only’ run half-marathons.
• You don’t run the whole thing.
• You don’t finish in under 4 hours.
• Blah blah blah

Ever hear these? I read this blog entry from an elite athlete — marathon PR of 2:28. They were both thought-evoking and probably not what you imagine.

“As a so-called elite runner of nearly 20 years, it doesn’t bother me at all that there are a lot of slow runners doing marathons these days. In fact, I think it is great. When we first started, a marathon was maybe 40 or 50 people and that was a big one. Now it is not uncommon to see 15,000 people at an event. Do you think for one second that most of these people are elite? You would have a good ole time finding 100 that are considered elite or maybe even 50.  So what is the problem here?

There is none at least as far as I’m concerned. If you are a elite or faster runner, the only time you see slow runners is at the pre-race chat, an hour before the event and maybe at the end if we stick around long enough provided they have cold beer. Ironically, they (slower folks) are usually the happiest people in the house.  The 3 and 4 hour marathoners. . . sorry to tell you this, you not elite runners. They will finish before slower people but in the end, they will get the same medal, the same tee shirt, the same certificate, the same blisters and the same everything. The fact that they finish a couple of hours sooner, well that’s nice but it really means nothing in the big picture. There is no payday for them or sponsorships or anything out of the ordinary.

You have to run for your own reasons. If the clock is one of those reasons, I guarantee a couple of things — somebody is always faster. Someone will always beat you. You will get super disappointed more often than not and mind you this, you’ll catch the injury bug sooner rather than later. That is the way of running. You have to have a bigger reason to run. Bigger than the clock. Bigger than beating your friend or some Joe or Jill you never even met. Something much bigger.”
 

It was eye opening to read. It reaffirmed most of what I believed and expanded on others. I never understood the conversations of some who seemed almost “offended” by having slower runners participate in events that they were a part of. To me, this is the ugly side of competition. It brings out the small, the petty and the low energy and engulfs people -  if they so allow it.

So to all the store owners, web masters, event organizers, shoe companies (Pearl Izumi ringing a bell?), gel companies, nutrition people, clothing manufacturers and yes, fellow runners who are “offended” by slow runners and prone to mocking, superiority and other low antics —– to you I say 2 words —

You’re Welcome.

It is the slower runners who have grown this sport. After all, there are simply not that many Scott Jureks or Pam Reeds around. The slower runners have brought in the monies and thus, improved the purses. Slower runners are the ones who raise funds, not to mention awareness of the event and the event’s purpose. Slower runners are the ones driving this ever growing train into new, unchartered lands.

At moments like this, I am always reminded of this proverb. . .

After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box.