Random Science/ Running question regarding hills.
Discussion
I run a 5km route whereby i run 2.5km out and then turn around and run the exact same route back.
This involves a few hilly parts (no choice where I live) but because I do the same route back the overall gradient difference is zero.
How would overall time on such a route compare to a flat route? (For the average runner, i.e no specialist at inclines/declines etc.)
Do the inclines disproportionately affect the overall speed by slowing it down,? do declines disproportionately speed up the time?
Or because the overall gradient change is zero, would my time on such a route be roughly equivalent to a flat route?
I appreciate there are many variables involved but I'm wondering if anyone has any views.
Thank You.
This involves a few hilly parts (no choice where I live) but because I do the same route back the overall gradient difference is zero.
How would overall time on such a route compare to a flat route? (For the average runner, i.e no specialist at inclines/declines etc.)
Do the inclines disproportionately affect the overall speed by slowing it down,? do declines disproportionately speed up the time?
Or because the overall gradient change is zero, would my time on such a route be roughly equivalent to a flat route?
I appreciate there are many variables involved but I'm wondering if anyone has any views.
Thank You.
It deffo slows you. This is a combo of the effect i'll describe below plus you're not as efficient running down hill - at last steep hills, where you're constanly "braking" to avoid going arse over tit like a cheese roller at a festival.
When cycling, going up then down the same hill is slower than flat because when you are going more slowly, you take more time to travel so you spend longer going slower than you do fast.
E.g a 20 mile cycle. If you can cycle flat at 15mph. Up fiction hill, 10miles at 10mph takes 1 hour. in order to average 15mph on the out and back, down hill, you'd have to do the 10 miles in .33 of an hour - or 19.8 minutes. That's 30 mph.
The thing is, whatever potential energy you've put into the fight against gravity, you'll not get 15mph back for sacrificing 5 going up. Add in wind resistance and you always find hilly rides are slower than flat.
Of course i can't quantify just how much slower it is!
When cycling, going up then down the same hill is slower than flat because when you are going more slowly, you take more time to travel so you spend longer going slower than you do fast.
E.g a 20 mile cycle. If you can cycle flat at 15mph. Up fiction hill, 10miles at 10mph takes 1 hour. in order to average 15mph on the out and back, down hill, you'd have to do the 10 miles in .33 of an hour - or 19.8 minutes. That's 30 mph.
The thing is, whatever potential energy you've put into the fight against gravity, you'll not get 15mph back for sacrificing 5 going up. Add in wind resistance and you always find hilly rides are slower than flat.
Of course i can't quantify just how much slower it is!
Gassing Station | Science! | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff