The Art of Running Downhill

When I first started to incorporate hill training as part of my running schedule, I had mixed emotions.  As a cyclist I had huffed and puffed up my fair share of hills and inclines and knew the value that came with this type of work.  I always managed to get myself up the hill with the promise of the thrilling decent that inevitably followed.  It felt so freeing to just relax into the downhill and let the bike fly.  

With running it was a different experience.  I found that I could settle into the uphill portion of the hill and almost began to enjoy the feeling of that slow burn as I made my way to the top.  What I found unnerving was coming down the other side.  Instinctively I would lean back, heavy on my heels as I tried to fight against the momentum that was building.  I seemed to focus on the space right in front of my feet and felt like I was working almost as hard on the way down as I had on the way up sometimes.  My fear was holding me back.

Some may say that this is a logical instinct and of course I was holding back and being careful, the consequences of not doing that are huge - tripping, falling and injuring myself being at the top of the list.  What I have found over time is that I have slowly been able to build up some confidence on these descents and as a result my fear has been on the decline.  I have been able to even lean into some of these downhill runs and enjoy the feeling of release that has accompanied this new perspective.

The other morning I was out and on a downhill I noticed something else that has changed - my field of vision has grown.  I no longer am looking directly in front of my feet as I run.  Instead, I am keeping my head up and lens wide, taking in a much bigger picture as I go.  I also could not help but notice the parallel between my newfound running stance and stance in life in general.

Here is what I have noticed, both in running and in life: 

- opening up and leaning into the pull of momentum has unlocked a sense of ease that I had not experienced previously  

- allowing myself to take in the bigger picture has provided me with the ability to really see what is coming up next and plan or adjust my approach accordingly  

- trusting in myself to know what I am capable of and to know where to push and where to hold a boundary has allowed me to extend my comfort zone and stretch into a new level of growth and accomplishment

- getting out of my own way has been key in making these changes take place

There are still days when the stories in my head are a bit louder than usual and set me back a step or two, and might have me leaning back on my heels as I fall into the old patterns that they conjure up.  This is where the new stories come in, each downhill providing an opportunity to write a new chapter that will replace an old one and will eventually rewrite these stories entirely.  Until that time I am thankful for the protection that is being offered and remind myself that it is not required any longer.

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