I gain some speed and (hopefully) before the start of the one major hill I have I am in top gear. Then, as I approach the base I begin to cycle through the lower gears and usually by the top of it I am in super-low gear. It's worked thus far, and I don't get too tired. I do still try to maintain a safe speed on approach though, it is really quite easy to reach 30+ on this area of my commute.

The big hill isn't what kills me though. I have a "pseudo-hill" half way in to the ride that just sucks. I can't get enough speed to coast up, and half way up the incline I am either one gear too high or one too low, and it kills my stamina. It's getting better/easier though.