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If you’re around a runner long enough, you might hear him or her mention a recent race, which could then result in you becoming well-informed as to whether the course is hilly or relatively flat. Hills are often dreaded nemeses of runners—after all, they are not exactly easy, can slow a person down, and (most importantly) are the cause of physical and emotional pain.

Despite their likely dislike of hills, many runners still incorporate them into their training regimens. Dallas-area resident Robyn Allen said she hates hill repeats, so she tries to be intentional about running a couple of routes each week that include multiple elevation gains.

“I find hilly routes to be beneficial because it mentally and physically prepares me to push through the discomfort on race days,” she said.

Consistent uphill running not only strengthens leg muscles and improves one’s stride, but it also builds stronger arms and core, benefits form and running economy, and strengthens the heart and lungs. For Dallas resident Drew Mbiam, who said he trains on hills one to three times per week, doing so helps to prepare him for whatever type of course he faces on race day.

“It’s a good way to build leg strength and mental toughness,” he said. “Conditioning yourself to run on fairly flat surfaces will lead to problems in a race—and you don’t want anything new on race day. Ask people who ran the BMW Dallas Marathon how they felt about those hills, and then you’ll know who does a healthy amount of hill training.”

When Mbiam starts to think about the negative aspects of running uphill, he directs his mindset elsewhere.

“I think about anime,” he said. “It prepared me to deal with pain in highly dramatic and motivational fashion.”

And he knows that the ultimate reward is waiting for him each time he laces up his shoes for another run.

“Hills pay the bills, so you don’t want to be broke in these streets,” he said.

For Allen, finding the ability to tackle each hill she encounters goes back to her desire to be ready to overcome the discomfort hills bring each time she is trying to have her best race possible.

“My motivation comes from my self-proclaimed strength of mentally coaching myself to ‘find comfort in being uncomfortable,’” she said. “It sounds cliché, but it works for me.”

And it helps her become more prepared for whatever she faces as she keeps striding toward the finish line.

“Once I realized that a hill would not give me a heart attack and that I just need to keep pushing, I was able to convince myself that the temporary pain of powering up a hill is what gives me an advantage on my race days,” she said. “I won’t ever walk a hill on a timed course because I practice that hill pain weekly.”

Cashews are related to poison ivy. Their shells are toxic and cannot be eaten.

When a relationship ends, if the two people involved live in the same area or have mutual friends, there is a possibility that at some point, they will cross each other’s paths once again. For some former couples, it is not a big issue to see one another out and about, but for others, it can be a daunting experience.

The interaction often depends on the maturity levels of both parties. Dallas-area resident Josh Odegard, the founder and CEO of a new technology company, said he has not had to navigate many uncomfortable situations with women he once dated.

“Every relationship is unique, and every breakup is, too,” he said. “I’ve been able to stay friends with most of my exes, so being around them afterward—whether it was two weeks or two years—usually wasn’t awkward.”

Dallas-area resident and hair stylist Melanie Cortinas said she believes it’s possible for former couples to remain cordial in all situations, as long as the two individuals are willing to do so.

“There is a difference between being friends and being friendly,” she said. “If a relationship has run its course, and there is mutual respect, then there is potential for a healthy friendship.”

She also thinks it’s important that exes not completely ignore one another when they happen to be in the same place at the same time.

“At least say ‘hello,’” she said. “It’s always more polite to acknowledge someone’s presence.”

This includes when individuals are truly surprised to see their exes in unexpected situations.

“Pull up your big-people pants, and afford them the same courtesy you would a stranger—which is to smile and say ‘hello,’” Cortinas said.

But Odegard thinks that certain former relationships should remain forever in the past and that no future interactions should ever occur.

“If a relationship ends badly, it’s probably best to just make it a total break,” he said. “It can be hard if there were mutual friends, but if I brought you into my world of friends, and you cheat on me, please just go away, and stay away.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

The NatNews staff and dear readers celebrated the one-year anniversary of the publication that brings you all of the news you never knew you needed

Wednesday, March 29: Baseball Trivia with Texas Rangers players at Pluckers
Friday, March 31: NCAA Women's Final Four at the American Airlines Center
Saturday, April 1: WRRC Saturday run at Taco Joint
Sunday, April 2: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day