"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Wednesday 17 July 2013

My Running/Training Nemesis

I don’t know what it is or why, but this one hill where I do my trail training has become my nemesis. Since I ran it the first time it has hit me hard.

It is not the steepest, or the longest and not even technical. It just hits me hard every time.

I know a part of it is the fact that you start a gradual climb for about 500m before the real climb starts, but this alone can’t be the reason. Maybe it is all in my head…?

Or it is because it goes up…


…and up…


…and more up…


…and then some more up?


Anyway, last Saturday I felt my best yet on this climb. Maybe I’m learning to hit it back at last. This Saturday we will meet again and I will hit it back again. Well, I’ll try for sure.

Have you got a running/training nemesis?


12 comments:

Michael said...

Ok, that hill looks like it would be anyone's nemesis! I have one hill close to my home that looks like a baby compared to that. It's really not bad at all honestly, it's about a half mile gradual up hill climb, but when I first started running I could never make it up that hill...always had to stop and walk, and now to this day it still kills me. I know it's mental more than anything because I can do simliar or worse hills without much problem, but that one gets me everytime.

Kate Geisen said...

When I first started trail running there was a hill on my short loop. You'd laugh at it bc it's not terribly steep, but it seemed to go on forever. I was so proud the day I finally ran the whole thing...even if it was BARELY a run. Now, I'm probably my biggest running nemesis. Lack of motivation/discipline is killing me, but I'm trying to get back at it.

The Green Girl said...

Wow, I can understand why that would be your nemesis. If anyone can conquer it, it's you, Johann.

To be honest, I think I may be my own worst nemesis. I don't always stretch religiously and then I pay for it.

misszippy said...

I think I can see why that might be your nemesis! And I'm sure pictures don't do it justice. I have one that has been my nemesis all throughout my low HR training. I am going to get up and over that w/o having to walk by the end of this!

ajh said...

That hill looks tough. At the moment I have a biking hill that is tough. I will be doing it in my race on Sunday. I practiced it today and it's a killer.

Char said...

I used to have one a bit like that , although it was a footpath not a trail. Every single time I ran the route I'd have to walk the last 20 metres except for the last time I ran it where I ran the whole thing. Now my son has stopped playing soccer out that direction I never run it any more - but I think of it fondly.

Unknown said...

keep at it until you feel like you've conquered that hill!!

Jerry Smallwood said...

We all have a nemesis Johann, just remember your body is fit and ready. Yes it will hurt but it is a good hurt. I remember a good ultrarunning buddy said to me after I mentioned I wanted to quit at 95 miles into a 100 mile race. "Don't think about now, think about how much better you will feel at the end".
Come on, you know you can do it :-)

Jill said...

Oh, hill, how I hate you :). I power walk most hills in long runs because I just find myself with more energy at the top to run down when I do. Leadville was a classic example.

It looks hot there, in addition to steep. If there's one thing that I really struggle with, it's the heat.

Get out there and conquer that beast, Johann!

coach dion said...

I eat hills for breakfast!!!

On a drive home from a holiday on the garden route I got out the car and ran the 'river' passes as they look so inviting!!!

It's not about being fast on hills it's about concoring them!

KovasP said...

Niec improvement -- my only nemeses are long, straight, uninteresting sections of road. I like hills.

Robin said...

That's some hill....way to go! Any improvement on that would be amazing!