The phrase "a long upward" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to describe a lengthy ascent or increase, but it needs additional context or modification to be clear.
Example: "The hike included a long upward trek through the mountains."
Alternatives: "a lengthy ascent" or "a steep climb".
Dr. Hall arrived in Atlanta in 1999, the final step in a long upward climb.
The expansion, in the Marxist view, is a long upward wave that started in the 80's, when business got the upper hand over labor and profits rose.
Her final pictures are lap-size: charcoal drawings referring to Africa, paintings of mountains to climb (she thought of her illness as a long, upward hike) and one of a hazy, gold flower, as warm-toned as a banked fire.
I am doing my best to avoid saying "I told you so", not least because it is early days and the channel could conceivably be at the bottom of a long upward curve.
One of the great joys of that walk was the ability to immediately share with family and friends the images as they were captured in the mountains: the golden, early-morning light as it filtered through the cedar forest; a sudden valley vista after a long, upward climb.
Rather, we are still coming off the bottom and have a long upward path ahead, even if the counter-cyclical governmental spending abates and monetary reins are pulled.
If you have a long face, only apply to the apples of your cheeks, if you have a short or rounded face, make long upward streaks, blend well.
He had predicted that after a long run upward, the stock market would fall in the first half of the year, and it has, putting stocks in "correction" territory.
I love the deep green, shiny leaves and long, upward branching that gives height to a moundy bed.
But we noticed that on long upward grades through the Flint Hills, the four-speed automatic transmission had a tendency to kick down to a lower gear.
Her entire life has been one long upward progression.
