Is there such a thing as easy hill reps?

I normally do a hill session at least once a week. I train when I can fit things in, I'm a long way from a slave to the schedule. I've done a bit recently (fear of oncoming big race and time off with bugs) the legs feeling it a bit. Tempo session on Tuesday and a longer one last night. I haven't done any hills lately and have a spare half hour today.

My question to the house: would you see any benefit in doing hills, but not really trying as hard as normal? Interested in your thoughts.

I've done them where I've run repeatedly up and down the same hill but not gone all the way up on every rep. Top to bottom, 2/3 of the way bottom, halfway to bottom. 1/4 way to bottom and then start again, it gives you varied levels of effort. You can do as many complete sets as you want.

Sort of a combination of intervals and hill reps - perhaps give it a go?

That's an interesting session, perhaps less mentally taxing than regular reps of the same distance? Pyramid hill reps!

It was initially forced on me when the only stretch I could find with no ice on it was a hill that had been facing the sun all day. It seemed to work quite well.  

What are hill reps for anyway - to get better at running up hill or just to benefit overall running fitness ?   If it's the former I can't see why they should always been done flat out so no reason why you shouldn't do them steady - if it's the latter then I think there are probably better sessions.

I see we're both fell runner, that's why I run hills. Regardless I think they're valuable for all runners...