Key Idea – Be ready to pace yourself to deal with the ups and downs that always come.
Most of the time I run some kind of circuit, meaning that I end up where I start. Depending on how far and in what direction I run, I can encounter large changes in elevation. If I start on a route with a lot of uphills, then I know that somewhere else in my run I will have some downhill stretches. The opposite holds true – if I have a large downhill section, I need to be ready for some uphill runs at some point.
This is particularly important if I am running a longer distance. If I’m in the last 1-2 miles of a run, and I know that my endpoint is higher up than my current location, then there is simply no choice but to go up. If I have run too hard, then this last uphill section can catch me off guard, and then I have to struggle to finish. Trust me – this has happened 😊.
The way to deal with changes in elevation is to pace yourself. Use the downhill portions both to pick up your pace but also to gather your strength for the uphill that is bound to come. Likewise, if you have an uphill early in your run, you can trust that you will some a downhill section to help you regroup.
The same thing happens in all areas of life. Things are never always downhill with an easy, flowing pace; likewise, the uphill struggles, while sometimes very hard, eventually end. The key is to not get too complacent by the easy stretches and to not give up in the uphill difficulties. The more that you can pace yourself, then the more energy you will have available when things get really hard.
Remember – neither easy or hard times are forever. Take things as they come and you will find greater overall satisfaction.
Fitness and Life 