Active Community: Message List

Re: Winter Hats

guest — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:53:36 GMT

I have a host of hats but my favorite hat is my Swix Hat. They are made for Cross Country Skiing. It doesn't itch, its warm and it breaths really well.

Re: NEO TRE (Halfway thru December)

guest — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:23:50 GMT

Hi, I am new to this community and have never heard of the Cool Running site, but I am glad I stumbled around and found this. I have been TR for 10 years or so trying to do harder and longer races. I live in Colorado so I have had a chance to do some awesome trail races. I ran my first 50 last February and got sick for about 3 months. I backed off tried to come back slowly but I was still really struggling with how my runs were feeling. I have spent the fall trying to put in a better base spending a lot of time strength training, biking, intervals and keeping up my altitude work through hiking, skiing and snowshoeing. I am feeling much stronger and plan on increasing my mileage. I am shooting to run Collegiate Peaks 50 mile in May. Does anyone have any feedback on my current plan, Any words of wisdom?

Thanks SG

Re: Orthotics

guest — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:58:31 GMT

I have orthodics. I believe I have been running in this pair for almost 10 years. If I start to get blisters in odd places or sore places on my legs I take them back in and have them looked at and possibly adjusted.

Re: XTERRA Boney Mountain Trail Run

guest — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:41:40 GMT

You will hear information both ways. For years I ran trails in standard street running shoes. I pronate very badly so for a long time there were no trail running control shoes available. Now several manufacturers have made motion control trail running shoes. I currently run in Brooks Addiction Trail and Street shoes. I use the trail version for the trail and the others for treadmill and easy trails. Its my understanding the big difference is the sole, and the upper. A trail shoe has a firmer sole with more traction. The firmer sole helps guard against rocks. The upper seems to have materials that are more dirt and mud resistant. Trail shoes are supposed to last longer. I haven't really found this to be true. They may look a little better (the dirt looks more natural against the upper) but they still need to be replaced after 300 miles. Hope this helps let me know if you have any other questions. Have fun, I really want to do some of the runs in Northern CA. They sound awesome.

Re: Down jacket recommendations

guest — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:55:20 GMT

Toby,

After looking I have the Guides Down sweater and the 8000 meter. Check out this link http://marmot.com/fall_2007/mens/outerwear/insulated/mountain_down_jacket. I have a couple of things made by Marmot and have always found their stuff to be well thought and well made. You could also try Feathered Friends, they are out of Seattle, AAI uses their stuff. Thats about all I can think of. Good luck ... let me know what you come up with.

Re: Running music

guest — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:10:30 GMT

I am an absolute IPOD geek. I have playlists for pretty much every work out I do. I have a lot of them named by either the event I am training for or how long they are. One of the things I have found is to make playlists of my favorite songs. Sometimes I just surf iTunes to find songs I forgot I like. My favorite playlist right now has:

Higher Love - Steve Winwood

Hit me with your best shot - Pat Benatar

Livin La Vida Loca

Hurt so good

The way you move

Rehab

Footloose

Re: Beach Running

guest — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:54:30 GMT

I run on the beach whenever I can. I think there is nothing like it. I think its the instability of the sand that makes people sore. Its also a harder workout so you might not go as far as you think you should. Run as close to the water as you can, and I run with shoes. Shoes help cushion but they also help with alignment. I pronate pretty badly so I pretty much always run with shoes. I think as long as you stretch, drink enough and warm up slow you should be fine.

Re: Down jacket recommendations

guest — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:35:35 GMT

In my opinion just like any other piece of gear its specific to the task at hand. My question is how high are you talking about? I have a Marmot down jacket I wear all of the time. Its a little heavier than a down sweater and doesn't have a hood (I am not a big hood fan). I live in Colorado. I have used this coat all winter for high accents. During back country ski season it lives in my pack. In the summer its great at night both for warmth and as a pillow. I also have an expedition weight down coat I bought for Aconcagua. It sits in my closet ... it just doesn't get cold enough for something like that. I think Marmot makes great down coats for every level. Mountain hardware has some pretty good coats too. Make sure when you buy its long enough that when you lift your arms it doesn't end up around your neck ... nothing like snow down your pants because your jacket has become a scarf. Hope this helps

Re: XTERRA Boney Mountain Trail Run

guest — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:17:23 GMT

Hi, I am replying to your original post. I have been trail running most of my running career. I love it and I now find I hate running on roads. Your time will be slower than on the road. I have raced here in Colorado and a lot of times people power walk the hills and run the flats and down hills. On the technical down hills try and keep your center of gravity fairly low. Pick a line through the technical sections, try and pick where your feet are going to go a stride before you get there.