Walking cycling or running on flatland

[Accy cyclist]

I went for what i call a quick walk yesterday. I took my little dog with me(only 6 inch legs so i have to be patient) as i always do. We normally walk about 5 miles in just over an hour. Yesterday i decided to walk the only flat bit around here which is the canal and then the old railway line. I found it too easy. We must've been out for 2 hours yet both of us weren't panting!
The question is do those of you who cycle walk or run on flat terrain feel that you get the same benefits as those who do the same on hills? I feel like my legs haven't had a good stretch and workout when just striding and not climbing.

 

[Katherine]

As you discovered, you can go further and for longer, if you don't wear yourself out on the hills. It's always nice to ring the changes.

 

[The Jogger]

My commute is split, this area a few hills when I get off the train in London,, flat. However that has other challenges so not as quick as it should be.

 

[Turbo Rider]

Noooo...those hills...they mess you up! Mine's a split commute as well, so I have hills on either end of it and a good few slow inclines too. I only ever know how tired I am when I get to the hills. I can feel fine and then boom, it's time for granny gears...but then the opposite can apply too...a really horrible ride on exhasted legs can, somehow, make the hills feel easier...never really know until you get there really.

 

[Twinks]

No choice around here in Glossop, nothing but hills everywhere you look. That's why we've all got bandy legs. It's also why I very soon found out I couldn't completely do without a car because sometimes you just want to walk/cycle somewhere without a slog. In answer to your question .. no I don't think it does really feel like the same workout.

Just a point of interest, I used to train my horses for endurance and had a heart rate monitor that fitted under the girth. To do some interval training I took her to Ainsdale for gallops on the beach. Couldn't get her heart rate high enough for the interval training. A couple of days later I rode her at a walk up Kinder (2000ft) and her heart rate went so high it scared me to death. Just shows how much more energy it takes for hills. I suppose it must be the same for humans.

 

[compo]

Some years ago I ran a half marathon around Holbeach in Lincs. Coming from a fairly hilly area I found the constant flat landscape very hard and tiring on the legs without a change of pace and effort you get on hills and my half marathon time was several minutes slower than usual. I don't know if this would be the same on a bike.

 

[Fnaar]

"Lilmo, post: 3610728, member: 39817"
a heart rate monitor that fitted under the girth.

Hmm... I shall have to mention that idea to Miss Goodbody, up the road

 

[luckyfox]

Either way for me. Nothing nicer than a flat run at times as I do just lose time and keep going where as on hilly routes sometimes I'm keen to finish the route!

Sadly our little pooch just isn't up to long routes any more. I miss going out for our long adventures but a cuddle up halfway across the field when he's tired is just as nice

 

[Kestevan]

Dunno - only flat bits round here are reservoirs.

 

[Piemaster]

Running is pretty much all very local and flat. I suspect the local Parkrun is not only one of the busiest (450 there last weekend) as it's completely flat it's also a fast course - not as though it makes any difference to me.
Cycling - head east and it's flat, often made up for to some extent by headwinds off the North Sea. Even offroad mostly means disused rail lines and the massive inclines they have. It's my usual cycling area as going to find hills means heading west and crossing the city first, scaling the heights of a few bridges en route.
Went looking for hills earlier this week and have found that since leaving Aberdeen and a regular commute there I don't do hills anymore