Practice Uphill Running to Prevent Soreness (and Get Faster)
Uphill running is great for your strength and endurance , and in some parts of the world it is unavoidable (especially if you are trail running ). But descents can be extremely sore the next day if you haven’t trained for them.
This is because running downhill uses eccentric muscle contractions – you use your muscles to get downhill. (This is the same as the negative pull-up, where you slowly descend from the bar.) You can train your muscles while running downhill by carefully scheduling downhill repetitions: start with a few and continue to increase.
Good technique on the slopes also helps: stay upright and move your legs quickly. It sounds intimidating at first, but it’s actually easier on your body. Instead of slowing down, landing on your heel with every step, you simply allow momentum to carry you forward. Practice this technique and you will fly past the crowd the next time you race downhill.
Downhill Tips | World of runners
Photo by Peter Mooney .
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