These 4 Hill Running Workouts Will Boost Your Speed and Efficiency
Cindy Kuzma
Hills may loom large and daunting in a runner’s path. But take on the challenge to climb them and you’ll find a pot of gold on the other side: a more powerful, efficient stride, which can net you faster times.
“Physically, training on hills builds muscle strength,” says Maryland-based running coach Lisa Levin.“And hill sprints or repeats can help improve running economy, which translates into less energy expended over the course of a longer distance race.”
Coaches like Reichmann and Julie Sapper, who coaches with her at Run Farther and Faster, have long touted hills’ benefits. Now, science has begun to catch up to practice, thanks to research by Derek Ferley, Ph.D., director of sports science research and sports performance training at the Avera Sports Institute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.