Did a long run today and coming to a hill I was reminded of a runner that mentioned that he didnt shorten his stride when running up hill.  Although I didnt say anything I  strongly believe that a shorter and faster pace benefits you more when going up hill, You have an shorter time on the ground with your feet, there is no braking action when your feet hit the ground and no tendency to over stride. With a shorter pace you push off harder with your toes, have  an higher lift with your knees when going forward you have an bouncing affect and when your feet land the heels go below the level of your toes this stretches the calve muscles and over time this builds power and flexibility in you're calve muscles , with hill running the calf muscles learn to contract faster  and learn to work faster at a higher pace.  The bouncy action happens when you lift your knees  which improves the front of the thigh and gives you more power. I managed a few hills in my workout today and although I dont fly over the hills I am quit happy with the irregular schedule that I keep with my running,-- hill running is done when Im sure i have warmed up enough and have done enough running so that I dont injure myself with the first hill I run. Usually after two or three weeks off runing before I try any hills. Tomorrow an other day Mt brenton looks like a good climb.