Captivated by the Hills

What is one thing about running that captivates YOU?

For me? It would have to be hills!!

Specifically, the "little block" of hills across the street from my house. We've all heard the phrase, "hills are speed work in disguise." Well, I tend to believe it.

My house is situated on a "normal-sized" city block (I think), and my street has a nice-sized incline with my driveway almost at the halfway point. That means almost every run either starts (or stops) on a hill for me.

But the little block across the street is a sweet (and sometimes, salty) little bonus. This little block itself is smaller than usual, and requires three laps around it to arrive at a mile in distance (my "residential" block only requires two). But, in doing those three laps, one climbs six fairly short (but steep) hills in the process.

Take notice of the pics below...to give you a visual.

This first set of pics were taken at the base of my driveway (kitty-corner from the little block's NW corner)...the top pic is looking east, and the bottom pic is facing south.

facing south

This next set of pics are taken at the top of my street's hill...the first one is facing back north (towards my driveway) and the other is at the SW corner of the little block, heading east.

heading east

As we continue on our journey around the block, the next corner (SE) shows both views...looking back west (where we just came from) and (around the corner), headed north.

going north

Finally, as we reach the final corner (NE), we can see the view from where we just came (facing south), and also the final stretch, headed back towards my driveway (facing west).

due west

And, a shot from the halfway point of the final stretch....also facing west, with my driveway at the bottom of the hill (See the car on the right, in the above pic? This pic was taken while standing in front of that car).

final stretch, ending at my driveway

Let me just say that these pics do not do the hills justice. I've never done a GPS search for the actual elevation gain, but it's a steep grade for such a short distance.

Basically, two of the four sides of this little block (the west and east sides) have gradual inclines (or declines, depending on which direction you're going), and the other two sides (north and south) have the short (and steep) hills.

So, what does this have to do with running? This little block across the street gives me an excellent course for speed training and hill work.

Often times, I'll do a series of laps and vary the speed. I also alternate the direction I run those laps...maybe do three laps in one direction (for a mile in distance), then switch and do three laps in reverse. Sometimes I sprint up the steep hills and use the "gradual" hills for recovery, making it sort of like a Fartlek drill. Whenever I'm doing a running streak and need a quick "daily streak mile," I sometimes utilize this little block right across the street. It's especially convenient in inclement weather because I never have to go far from my house. Of course, the neighbors probably wonder what I'm doing, but none of them have ever asked (yet).

Interesting as well, the "bigger" block (where my house sits) not only has the gradual hill on the east side (as pictured above in the first set of pics), but there's also gradual hill on the back (west) side as well. Two laps around this block gives me a mile in distance. Often times, I'll alternate laps around both of these blocks (little, big,little,big,little) for two solid miles of hill training.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of track running (#boring), and we all know I detest the treadmill (#evenmoreboring). I don't mind running hills, though. Typically, I run these hills once every 2-3 weeks, sometimes not even that often. I try to keep it flexible and fun. And, by running around these blocks in different directions, it allows for varied terrain (none of these streets are level) which helps in eliminating over-use problems that come from running the same route/terrain/slope all the time.

How about you? Do you incorporate speed work into your regimen? Do you routinely train on hills? Think I'm crazy?

I'm linking this with Deb (from Deb Runs) for the Wednesday Word...today's word is captivate, and hills do it for me.

Also, I'm linking this with another great link-up to checkout: the Running Coaches Corner....hosted by Running on Happy , Suzlyfe , Crazy Running Girl and Coach Debbie Runs.