I’m back to running hills at my favorite old trail, a gift from the pup I’d been walking.

Winding through the woods, the trail isn’t particularly long, maybe 3-4 miles, but its angles are sharp.  Steep.

And yesterday I was reminded of something I’d forgotten: The downhills require as much strength – if not more – as the climbs.

To really fly – and allow the momentum to gather and fully let go into it, legs turning over rapidly and surely, with spring and steadiness, bouncing over protruding rocks and roots — requires significant conditioning.

Which only comes from the slow, arduous uphills before.