The Running Thread Vol 2

[Smitters]

I agree with the above - I wear a t-shirt not a vest, though I admit that's because I prefer a tee anyway. I can see how it could rub very painfully. I cannot recommend icebreaker merino enough - I have two Everyday Short Sleeve Crewe t-shirts. They are not cheap, though I did get a decent discount, but I have probably run 2,000 miles in them combined, trekked in the Alps and Himalaya with big bags and worn them all over the place and they are rock solid. They don't smell on day two or three either, warm when wet, dry quickly, don't rub, seriously, the list goes on. If I were the Steve Jobs of ultra-running, my wardrobe would simply be seven of these on hangers...

The bottles are easy to drink from while in the pouch, you just dip your head and take a sip - it is, or was, more of an issue when topping up at aid stations, though they seem to have addressed that.

[feef]

I always wear a t-shirt, and unless it's hot, I often wear a pro-skins compression vest underneath that which sits a little higher around the neck so should be fine.

Never got on with vests/singlets.

I've ordered the Adv Skin 5 and a couple of the newer 1/4 turn lidded 500ml soft water bottles.

I'll let you know how it goes when I get it

[Cybertronian]

Heads up for those with Good For Age qualifying times for the London Marathon!

System's gone live as of this morning and will remain open until Friday 23rd of June. Asks for the following in the process:

- Proof of age (scan of passport, driving licence, or birth certificate)
- Proof of residency (scan of driving licence, or utility bill)
- Proof of qualifying time (I submitted a direct link to my result)

If accepted, payment doesn't have to be made until 7th of July.

[dave0010]

My foots giving me a little grief. I've figured out that its due to a new pair of casual shoes. I bought at a Nike DFO a par of the Nike Flyknit shoes. I really love them but something about them doesn't support the shape of my foot at it. Wearing them left my inner arch almost bruised, some how people run in them!!

I've been resting my feet but managed a light 8k this weekend. I' planning 2 more rest days then a couple of runs to see if its ok to get back into full training. So annoying as training was going in the right direction.

[TeaNoSugar]

Hello - just wondering if anyone on here has done the SLMM (or similar) before? I'm doing it this year for the first time - in the Kirkfell class - but I don't really know the best way to try and pack for this sort of event (never done a 2-day event like this before).

I've got what I think is the right sort of kit (mostly my normal FRA kit in terms of race clothing) and a lightweight stove, food, tent etc., but not yet got a decent race rucksack or an adequate sleeping bag.

Any recommendations for either would be good, especially if anyone can recommend a decent sleeping bag that isn't ridiculously expensive. And what size rucksack to get? I have an 8l and 10l race pack and 40l hiking rucksack but I think I need something around 25l? Would that be about right? My race partner and I will share the load of the tent/stove/food etc., but still there's a fair bit to pack.

[andy_s]

TeaNoSugar said:

Hello - just wondering if anyone on here has done the SLMM (or similar) before? I'm doing it this year for the first time - in the Kirkfell class - but I don't really know the best way to try and pack for this sort of event (never done a 2-day event like this before).

I've got what I think is the right sort of kit (mostly my normal FRA kit in terms of race clothing) and a lightweight stove, food, tent etc., but not yet got a decent race rucksack or an adequate sleeping bag.

Any recommendations for either would be good, especially if anyone can recommend a decent sleeping bag that isn't ridiculously expensive. And what size rucksack to get? I have an 8l and 10l race pack and 40l hiking rucksack but I think I need something around 25l? Would that be about right? My race partner and I will share the load of the tent/stove/food etc., but still there's a fair bit to pack.

Funny, I was looking at MMs yesterday as I'd like to rack a few more up over the next 18mths. I've done Mournes and Highlander a few times but it's been a few years now.

I know it's a bit of an outlay but I've had and used my PHD Minimus (?) sleeping bag for 12 years and used it in South America, Africa, Sahara and most testingly the Scottish highlands and it's still in good shape - I've had to knock the frost off the tent but been happy in my shorts in it - probably one of the best bits of kit I've bought. Some use their down jacket and a bottom half sleeping 'system', that may be an option but I've never tried it. On sleeping - depending on race/weather/ground I found the best weight/space/comfort mat to be the Klymit Inertia X-Lite - but I'm a good sleeper...!

For MMs I've an OMM Classic 25lt pack - about 25lt-30lt is probably best, you can go smaller but you'll need to be very spartan/specialised - depends on how you want to go. Other's to consider may be Raidlight range, Ultimate Direction Fastpack, Inov8 All Terrain - although I've seen people setting off with a £10 Lidls special quite the thing.

Edited by andy_s on Monday 12th June 16:45

[Smitters]

C*ck it. Minimum of a month off running due to a hurty toe. Likely a soft tissue issue under and behind the big toe causing joint pain. Either the ramp up in mileage of the result of over-extension due to a couple of fast (for me) parkruns on feet more used to doing nine-ten minute miles, not six minute miles.

Rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, precautionary x-ray, modified orthotics, foot exercises, mind-numbing turbo-training sessions to maintain endurance, bah.

I super-duper promise I'll do lots of core work etc in the down time and eat really well and blah, blah, blah. All this is quite annoying six weeks out from my A-race, which I have been training solidly for, for nine months.

[smn159]

Smitters said:

C*ck it. Minimum of a month off running due to a hurty toe. Likely a soft tissue issue under and behind the big toe causing joint pain. Either the ramp up in mileage of the result of over-extension due to a couple of fast (for me) parkruns on feet more used to doing nine-ten minute miles, not six minute miles.

Rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, precautionary x-ray, modified orthotics, foot exercises, mind-numbing turbo-training sessions to maintain endurance, bah.

I super-duper promise I'll do lots of core work etc in the down time and eat really well and blah, blah, blah. All this is quite annoying six weeks out from my A-race, which I have been training solidly for, for nine months.

Tell me about it. I got tendinitis in January and it's still not fully recovered despite several weeks off and a slow managed return to running, together with a daily programme of stretches and core stuff.

Stupidly did 100k on the bike yesterday (have been doing more cross training and ramping the bike mileage up slowly) and it's back again, so need to rethink my training programme for the week.



Hope yours isn't too bad.

[SpydieNut]

Smitters said:

C*ck it. Minimum of a month off running due to a hurty toe. Likely a soft tissue issue under and behind the big toe causing joint pain. Either the ramp up in mileage of the result of over-extension due to a couple of fast (for me) parkruns on feet more used to doing nine-ten minute miles, not six minute miles.

Rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, precautionary x-ray, modified orthotics, foot exercises, mind-numbing turbo-training sessions to maintain endurance, bah.

I super-duper promise I'll do lots of core work etc in the down time and eat really well and blah, blah, blah. All this is quite annoying six weeks out from my A-race, which I have been training solidly for, for nine months.

Sorry to hear - at least you can still do turbo training. I'm a month into recovery from a broken ankle. The cast came off last Thursday and I was given a walking boot. Working hard on getting some range of movement back into the ankle and gradually increasing weight bearing and then I can work on replacing lost muscle (my one calf and thigh are each 4cm smaller than my other).

All I could do was core and shoulder work - and that not easily while in a non-weight bearing cast.

Really strict with my diet and I've lost a few lbs since the injury (mainly muscle I'm sure).

All I seemed to see were runners and cyclists out enjoying the summer.

Definitely making inroads into recovery though and will get back on a bike later this week or at the weekend to see how a short cycle goes.

Thankfully I only had one race entered (and they've postponed it until next year).

All the best for a speedy recovery

[TeaNoSugar]

andy_s said:

Funny, I was looking at MMs yesterday as I'd like to rack a few more up over the next 18mths. I've done Mournes and Highlander a few times but it's been a few years now.

I know it's a bit of an outlay but I've had and used my PHD Minimus (?) sleeping bag for 12 years and used it in South America, Africa, Sahara and most testingly the Scottish highlands and it's still in good shape - I've had to knock the frost off the tent but been happy in my shorts in it - probably one of the best bits of kit I've bought. Some use their down jacket and a bottom half sleeping 'system', that may be an option but I've never tried it. On sleeping - depending on race/weather/ground I found the best weight/space/comfort mat to be the Klymit Inertia X-Lite - but I'm a good sleeper...!

For MMs I've an OMM Classic 25lt pack - about 25lt-30lt is probably best, you can go smaller but you'll need to be very spartan/specialised - depends on how you want to go. Other's to consider may be Raidlight range, Ultimate Direction Fastpack, Inov8 All Terrain - although I've seen people setting off with a £10 Lidls special quite the thing.

Edited by andy_s on Monday 12th June 16:45

Thanks for the advice - the OMM classic 25litre is the one I was thinking of goig for anyway. The sleeping bag is my main sticking point, I just can't bring my self to shell out the thick end of £300 on a sleeping bag. This one was recommended on another forum:

http://downsleepingbag.co.uk/sleeping-bags/Yeti-V-...

I think that would do it. The small pack size is quite important but I don't want to be lying in a freezing tent wishing I'd just got the better one. I'm not a good sleeper either!

[bigandclever]

Would you consider renting? 2 weeks for about £50 for that model. Then you see if it's worth it.

[andy_s]

TeaNoSugar said:

Thanks for the advice - the OMM classic 25litre is the one I was thinking of goig for anyway. The sleeping bag is my main sticking point, I just can't bring my self to shell out the thick end of £300 on a sleeping bag. This one was recommended on another forum:

http://downsleepingbag.co.uk/sleeping-bags/Yeti-V-...

I think that would do it. The small pack size is quite important but I don't want to be lying in a freezing tent wishing I'd just got the better one. I'm not a good sleeper either!

Looks good - there's only a hundred grams or so in it and it seems to be well thought out - and not a bad price for a down bag either.
SLMM is summer so should be comfy - can't see much problems with this one at all.

Here's some handy hints - if you don't have them already(!) - take a few plastic bags to put over your fresh dry socks at the O/N camp so you can wear wet shoes without getting socks wet again; put the wet ones back on for day 2 so you don't carry heavy wet socks around (if you're going to get wet early on anyway). Bit of tin foil for a windbreak for the stove is very efficient if you're using solid tabs. Noodles can be made up with warm water rather than the boiling water you need for traditional dehydrated food, Rego powder (or similar) is easy, high calorie food. Apols if you know all this!

Have a great time!

[TeaNoSugar]

No - it's all useful advice, thanks. I'm up there this weekend doing some practice and hopefully the Bob Graham legs 1, 2, 4, & 5 over 2 days. I'm hoping to get hold of all the kit to give it a "test run".

Can't wait, just hope the weather's kind. I did Man v Horse on Saturday and it was horrendous weather the whole time!

[tenohfive]

Has anyone come across a way to find decent pre-existing running routes that can be downloaded as a .gpx? Garmin seems pretty useless unless there's something I'm doing wrong, I don't seem to be able to access other peoples pre-existing routes on Strava.

I find myself working away soon and just want to be able to have a route pre-plotted that I know will either be pleasant or at least safe that I can then load on my watch.

[smn159]

tenohfive said:

Has anyone come across a way to find decent pre-existing running routes that can be downloaded as a .gpx? Garmin seems pretty useless unless there's something I'm doing wrong, I don't seem to be able to access other peoples pre-existing routes on Strava.

I find myself working away soon and just want to be able to have a route pre-plotted that I know will either be pleasant or at least safe that I can then load on my watch.

Map My Run?

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/

You can create routes, see routes that others have created and download as .gpx files

Not used it myself as I prefer to create my own routes in Strava, but seems to do what you're looking for

[feef]

tenohfive said:

Has anyone come across a way to find decent pre-existing running routes that can be downloaded as a .gpx? Garmin seems pretty useless unless there's something I'm doing wrong, I don't seem to be able to access other peoples pre-existing routes on Strava.

I find myself working away soon and just want to be able to have a route pre-plotted that I know will either be pleasant or at least safe that I can then load on my watch.

Have you had a look on Wikiloc?
Seems to be hit and miss depending where you are but has some routes

[TeaNoSugar]

If you go for Strava premium you can take anyone's route from any Strava account. I don't have premium as I can't see much value in it, but that feature is probably the most useful of the premium additions. A mate of mine suscribes, and he often downloads various routes to upload to his Suunto.

You could see if they're doing the usual 30 day free premium trial?

[tenohfive]

I've got Strava Premium but the activity search facility was throwing a wobbler last time I tried.

Mapmyrun looks okay, a few options on there. Wikiloc still fairly limited but woryh keeping an eye on for future.

[johnwilliams77]

TeaNoSugar said:

If you go for Strava premium you can take anyone's route from any Strava account. I don't have premium as I can't see much value in it, but that feature is probably the most useful of the premium additions. A mate of mine suscribes, and he often downloads various routes to upload to his Suunto.

You could see if they're doing the usual 30 day free premium trial?

I am being simple, how is this done? Can I use the app?

[smn159]

johnwilliams77 said:

I am being simple, how is this done? Can I use the app?

No, you need to use the desktop version - don't think it's in the app