Alternative to Hill Intervals
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trainDaBrain posted 2 years ago.
Ever considered pulling a Kid trailer? Those things make you feel like you're riding thru mud. Don't even need a kid in em. Just throw in a cooler of Gatorade!
It would be hard to drop it off to do repeats, but I guarantee that you will feel it.
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deepbluex posted 2 years ago.
how about stair climbs? Find a fairly long but seldom used stairwell and just keep climbing that sucker.
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thehitman posted 2 years ago.
Although I live relative flatlands, there are lots of good hills around here for doing repeats. I was surprised this Spring to see what appeared to be a Swiss Chalet at the top of one about a mile from my house --- turned out to be an old ski lodge!!! Learn something new every day. :cool:
In his book (with Chris Carmichael), The Lance Armstrong Performance Program, Lance has a great suggestion for training on "sprinter hills." As I recall, he'll do repeats in successively harder gears. After three or so climbs (1 set) - repeat.
My variation is to climb each hill (each repeat) in three successively harder gears. For example, on an overpass that requires about 24 pedal strokes (revs), I might go 8-8-8, with cadence varying from 120 in a spinnning gear at the bottom, down to 50 in a bigger gear at the top. You can gain lots of time in races if you have the ability to power over the top and quickly accelerate.
On the road to that Swiss Chalet, I'll mix up my repeats. Sometimes spinning all the way up ( about 110 revs), sometimes in a single higher gear (maybe 60 revs), sometimes 3 successively harder gears - 20/20/20. It's a 1 mile loop, and the climb itself is "only" 1/4 mile that's fairly steep.
Good luck in your training.
thehitman
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jmruns430 posted 2 years ago.
If you're talking about hills for biking, other than pulling a trailer I don't have suggestions, but for running, we used to run the entrance ramps for our local football stadium or running the stadium bleachers works too (though a little more obnoxious)
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JamieM posted 2 years ago.
We have the same problem in Delaware. I use the trainer with the resistance cranked up. Best I've been able to do.
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bluebirdbiker posted 2 years ago.
I like the stairs idea deepbluex says. Find an appartment bldg. and have fun!
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trainDaBrain posted 2 years ago.
Was this question biking or running related?
I'm working through a training program that has me starting hill intervals today. Problem is, I live in Houston where we have no hills aside from the occasional overpass. The program recommends 2 minute intervals on a moderate hill (4-6% grade). Given that all we have are short overpasses (they take about 30 - 45 seconds to climb) with a much steeper grade, I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas for alternatives to simulate the effect of hill training? I appreciate the suggestions.
Braden