I used to hate running hills. I mean, really hate running hills. Like the way some people hate brussel sprouts. But then I found hills made of dirt and rock. With spectacular views and windy paths. Sometimes these dirt hills would be mountains, but other times they were just big humps. For some reason, when the hills were made of dirt, they didn’t seem as hard as those made of road. When I did them, my back didn’t scream at me.
I started seeking out these hills of dirt. I wore my iPod and ran up and down. And when I finished, I wanted to go back up because coming down made me feel like Wonder Woman. I was flying. And jumping. And every now and then, I caught myself laughing. While I was running. Weird.
And now, I can’t get enough. I’m addicted to these dirt hills. I run them every day, even though people much smarter than I tell me that it’s not good for me, that I will hurt something. I tell them, everything already hurts, and it hurts a lot less on the dirt hills.
So back up I go. And back down I careen, every single day. If you see a crazy woman in a Wonder Woman cape, laughing, come say hello. We can run up and down together.
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 8 comments }
I’m one of those people who hates hills – even more than I hate brussel sprouts. I used to run them religiously, though, pre-sickness and I always felt the most satisfied and euphoric after those sessions. And even though I hate them I’m kind of looking forward to when I’m strong enough to go back to those sessions. That makes me a little crazy, doesn’t it?!!
This makes me smile. You sound happy.
love love love love love this. so far, I love running down hills. not so much the up. LOL!
Me like hills too! And for the reasons you describe so well.
Funny, I used to despise brussels sprouts. And then I had them pan-fried, and it was exactly like your trail hills vs. road hills discovery. Amazing, and can’t get enough. I’ve always been smitten by downhills, and have learned to love the uphills too.
It’s one reason I haven’t yet run in circles. Though I hear there are some courses with hills in them.
Keep on running those hills!
I love them both – hills and brussels sprouts. I am no help for you:)
That’s awesome! When i tell people l like trails with hills, they look at me like I’m am crazy. I love hills, i seek them out! The steeper the trail the better. I enjoy the challenge and the amazing feeling at the top! Nice to know there are other hill addicts out there!
Maybe if I eat brussels sprouts every day I’ll come to love them? I hate hills but I detest BS even more. You feel like Wonder WOman because you are!
Comments on this entry are closed.