Home > The Running Report > Archives > 2008 > March > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPush Push: Worst hills in ATL for runners
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gotta love Atlanta’s running community.
One of the most wonderful aspects of last year’s ING was the diversity of the runners.
I didn’t feel out of place. There were men and women of all ages, colors, shapes and sizes.
And like me some finished late in the race. Others were unofficial runners.
But Ouch! One blogger asked, “7 hours why bother.”
Can’t speak for others but for me it’s the personal challenge. I may be slow but I’m moving forward. I’m not walking but that would be OK too. I’d still be moving forward - toward my goal.
With about a month to go before my second marathon, i’m doing OK on training. I ran 18 miles on the Silver Comet Trail. The trail is flat, especially compared, to my usual route but that didn’t make it easy.
I started out at the Silver Comet Bicycle Depot on Floyd Road and ran 10 miles round trip towards the East/West Connector.
My energy was low and I was starting to feel nauseous when I returned to my car. But I took Running experts Jeff Galloway and Gayle Barron’s advice on sugar intake.
I ate a few Skittles; drank water and Gatorade; went to the restroom and re-wrappted my ankles. Then I ran another 8 miles in the other direction on the traill.
Ten miles took two hours and 26 minutes. The next eight miles were slower at two hours and six minutes.
Now I must return to talking about those treacherous hills in my neighborhood. One I call “heartbreak hill.” It’s on the final six miles of my run.
It takes me three to four minutes to get up that doggone thing. It’s a long slow burn. I’m pushing saying, “Don’t stop, keep going” I set mini goal markers such as a bush or a driveway. Sometimes it feels like I’m tip-toeing up the thing. But I never stop.
If I don’t think I can run up it, I don’t run down it in the first place.
What’s your “heartbreak hill?” Where is it located? We’d love to even write a story about the worst (or toughest hills) in the Atlanta area. Shoot me an e-mail if you have one and tell me a little bit about it. Where it is. Where it is on the course of your run. Your hill strategy. That sort of thing.
MORE: State of the Art Marathon Training. USA Fit/Team Spirit Active Trainer. Peachtree Road Race.
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Comments
By Hannah
March 5, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Adrianne, I was so pleased to read your marathon article today and your blog! I too just finished my 18 mile run about a week ago and… my knees aren’t too happy with me. I decided to take the week off and started up again this week as SLOW as possible. I really want 20 miles under my belt before the marathon, but I don’t know what my knees will let me do. Rest, ice, joint support… prayer?! But I plan to be running with you on 3/30! I can’t wait!!!!!!!!! Thank you!
By Hannah
March 5, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
I ate a lot on that run too… 2 granola bars, 1 orange, 1 cheese stick and almost 2 nalgene bottles of water! haha! Maybe you needed more Skittles! -)
By John
March 5, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Fig Newtons!! No, I don’t work for Nabisco but they are great for long endurance workouts. Lots of carbs and they sit on your stomach pretty well. Also try diluted orange juice, half oj, half water…it’s a great way to stay hydrated and get your needed electrolytes.
By ADRIANNE
March 5, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Hannah: Me and my knees share your pain.
John: Thanks! I’ve never tried Fig Newtons! I might go overboard though, I’m a cookie fiend!
By John tackett
March 5, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
The worst hills in have encountered in the Atlanta area are those on the “Run the Reagan” half marathon. Seemed like I never had flat ground. It was either up or down. By the time I finished the run, my quds and calfs were feeling it.
Love to run the Silver Comet trail. It can be so peaceful and tranquil once you head East past the Floyd Road area. Will be there this saturday doing the Silver Comet 10k, then on Sunday, for a 16 training mile run from East Point to Lenox Square.
By ADRIANNE
March 5, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Hannah your dedication and determination is very encouraging. Let’s me know that I’m on the right track!
I received an email from someone who wants to run but fears a sudden heart attack or worse.
Stay tuned for input on from experts and local physicians.
By Kristin
March 5, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
I second the Fig Newtons!They taste sooo much better than Gu packs.
And congratulations on attempting your second marathon. Ignore those who have stuipid things to say. It’s 26.2 miles no matter how long it takes you to finish.
I’m doing the 1/2 this year, did the whole last year (brutial) but time constraints wouldn’t allow me to train for the whole so enjoy the extra 13.1 for me.
By slow runner
March 5, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Adrianne, it sounds like you could really benefit from joining up with a Gallaway group. I ran my first marathon, MCM, 11 yrs ago with a time of 5 hrs 6 min. I refused to walk until mile 22 when I hit the wall. I had to walk some between mile 22 and 23 but resumed running after that. I ran my second marathon last Dec and used the Gallaway program of running 4 mins and walking 30 sec. I finished that marathon in 4hrs 42 mins. I recovered faster and felt much better at the finish even though I was 11 years older. I also had a friend running with me the second time. A friend can help push you through the hard times when you really want to walk. I won’t ever be a fast runner but I don’t really care about that. I just always stay on the right side of the road. The important thing is I still get out there and feel good about myself when I am finished. Kudos to you for doing it again. I’ll be running the ING half this year.
By ADRIANNE
March 5, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Thanks John Tackett and many of you in support of us slow runners.
This year the ING plans to group runners by estimated finishing time. Hopefully that will keep us slowpokes out of faster runners way.
Last year’s race had a very positive feel. I never sensed agitation from faster runners.
If running a marathon is still in my heart next year maybe I will try group training to increase my pace. I’m so used to running alone that groups seem more stressful than encouraging to me.
Before race day I had to mentally prepare myself for the mass of people I’d be running with.
By TrailMasochist
March 6, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Worst hill I’ve encountered in a long while was last weekend at the Thrill in the Hills Half Marathon Trail run at Fort Yargo State Park. Around the nine-mile mark, the woodsy trail opened up to a long, steep, gasline cut—which by my estimation seemed like it was almost a mile straight up. I could barely see the runners at the top, no bigger than ants.
By ING Virgin
March 6, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
Here’s a question: How hilly is the ING course? I’m coming in from out of town, so I’m not familiar with the area, and this will be my first full marathon. The timelapse video on the ING site doesn’t really do much for me.
By InTraining
March 6, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
I am training for the Rock and Roll marathon in June, but am also running the 1/2 ING. I usually run down Peachtree and let me tell you, it’s hilly! I find leaving water and food (GU) out helps It gives me motivation to get to those areas for a break. Does anyone know if the ING race has food/Gu for the runners? I don’t like to run with anything.
By MADMOMMY
March 6, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Cumberland Pkway is one hill after another and then you can hop on Cumberland, but be careful since there really aren’t any sidewalks. Another great one is Powers Ferry since that too is just all up and down, but it really isn’t that long of a run. I just try to do a few loops to get some distance in.
I will see everyone on the 30th!
By CLD
March 6, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
I second the vote for Cumberland Parkway. Running the US 10K Classic from Cobb Galleria to White Water is one giant hill after another!
By Susan
March 6, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
I agree with the recent poster regarding the Fort Yargo State Park 1/2 Marathon hill at about mile 9. I wasn’t planning on walking this trail run last week, however my thighs began to burn during the long uphill and was forced to walk up the long steep climb. Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one walking up that hill which helped my bruised ego a bit.
Congratulations Adrianne for wanting to challenge yourself again this year and training for your second marathon. I am training for my first marathon. (Country Music Marathon 4/26/2008) I live in Lawrenceville and have been wondering where I would run my 18-20 mile run the end of the month. It sounds as if the Silver Comet trail may be an option for me. The flat course sounds inviting. Any other suggestions for long run locations in Atlanta?
Thank you for your motivational story and article in the AJC.
By Native
March 7, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Manor Ridge Rd just off Northside Dr. The ultimate training hill.
By Andrew
March 7, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Lots of hills in ATL. If you are running ING or Nashville you need to train on hills. Neither are really bad but they have their fair share. Since ING removed Freedom Pkwy this year, that will help. But Candler Park by Mary Lin Elementary will be a killer unless they have you take the footbridge across the stream and run Page to McClendon instead.
Don’t run long run on Silver Comet to prep for these marathons. 18 miles on flat vs rolling or hilly terrain is MUCH different. I trained on Silver only for Miami marathon b/c it was flat as well. You want to run same terrain as marathon so why not run the same ING course when you run 18, 20, etc? And if you are training for Nashville, if you run the ING course as training you’ll be prepared. They are quite similar.
side note - many long distance runners will tell you it is easier to run 18 miles with hills vs 18 miles completely flat. the variance in terrain helps the body use different muscles and rest those not in use.
By Adrianne
March 7, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Susan: Thanks for the support and motivation. I’m going to compile a list soon of great long distance runs that should help. So stay tuned.
Andrew: Thanks for the useful tips!
By gosouthgohard
March 10, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
East on E. Rock Springs, going up to Briarcliff. Worst hill in Atlanta proper, no contest.
By Andrew
March 14, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
I too am gunning for ING. The hardest hills on the course - bar none - are Druid Hills. Lullwater Road is a mile and a half uphill. That takes the wind out of your sails. Adding salt to the wound, with only a short respite, Oakdale and Springhill roads are also uphill. Running them other day, I cursed the course directors who planned this. My strategy is walk-run-walk these bad boys and then turn on the afterburners for the flat Virginia-Highland to the park stretch.
By Harold
March 19, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
You started to feel nauseated, not nauseous. If you were truly nauseous, you would have been causing others to feel nauseated!
By Lance
March 19, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
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