The Neuroplasticity of Hill Running

Rebrand the hills. By the comments I hear before people attempt to run or walk a hill in races it (too) often seems that they are already beaten before they even start the climbs. Hills are tough no doubt, yet there is no reason to increase our mental suffering as well. Our self dialogue determines much of how we will experience any given situation. Running a hill is no different. The science of Neuroplasticity deals with this extensively (well, not hill running) It demonstrates that our brains are not static and that we can make drastic changes in how we relate, process, and experience virtually any situation. The brain can be retrained. This is wonderful news for those who suffer or have loved ones who suffer from any number of brain injuries or syndromes that may hinder their lives. It's also great news for us (ir)regular folks who like to run where there are hills. It means we can look at a hill and relabel how we will experience it. A simple means of doing so is to first identify the negative self (or vocal) talk. Often we are unaware that we are even entering negative territory  - that groan that escapes from our lips at the first sight of a hill is by now fairly ingrained for many of us. So lets be mindful and at the first sight of a hill we relabel it not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to use different muscles, to walk or refuel or gain elevation....whatever thought works best. Reframe the mental image of the experience to one of opportunity and then use positive self talk to engrave a new pattern within the mind. In Vedic wisdom this is call Sankara - a mental vibration much like a CD track that we automatically play when faced with a given situation. Much of our lives are a response in this manner instead of fresh insights on how to deal with problems. This is why we often catch ourselves responding in ways we wish we hadn't - we know better - yet the mental pattern takes over before we even realize what is happening. So we are building a new mental vibration - a retraining of the mind on how we will deal with hills (or anything we wish) Our negative patterns did not appear overnight - it took a lifetime to lay the tracks. Fortunately it doesn't take quite so long to retrain our thought system (it does take practice). And again fortunately, as ultra runners there will be plenty of time to practice - maybe even a 100 miler or two. Will this method end the pain of what may seem like an endless hill? No. Hill running is tough. Yet maybe we will suffer just a bit less.

Peace,
Eric