u/Jigs_By_Justin

As a (b)east coaster (USA...NC in particular), looking at cool looking races, I'd love to hear some success stories about people not able to get to altitude, but still doing big mountain races. 99% of my time is spent at around 650-850ft above sea level, with weekend access to WNC Mts. I.E. squat for altitude training. I've read that heat training, especially humid conditions like we tend to deal with in this part of the country, help. That said, I don't know to what degree, how much time in said conditions to make a marked improvement, etc.

The obvious answer would be arrive 3-4wks in advance to acclimate. Reality doesn't allow that for me. Second best option seems to be show up with as little time as possible, in advance, which is doable. What worked for you? What did your training look like? How did your race go?

There's tons of posts/threads about this but the key words to search return a TOOOOON of irrelevant info too. lol For context, looking at Creede 100 or Mace's Hideout 100 in particular. I'm aware of their high DNF rate and part of the attraction in some weird way.

TLDR- Low/flatlanders, what did your training look like before going to a big mountain race? Altitude acclimation strategy? Did it work? Did you make it through the race before altitude sickness got too bad?

Did a drift test yesterday on the treadmill. I'm not a treadmill runner, so really not much idea where I should've been on speed. Inside/outside efforts feel completely different to me.

I spent most of the 15min warm up trying to figure out where the "sweet spot" was. I finally settled in to a speed with about 2-3min left of the warm up. Until then, heart rate would bump up a bit initially, then back down. In hindsight I should've probably paused the watch and warmed up a bit more at that speed that felt "right".

If I run my drift test from 15:00-45:00| 45:01-1:15:00 I have a difference of 6.2%. If I look at the data from 20:00-47:30|47:31-1:15:00 it settles in at 4.65%.

I've got no issue redoing the drift test, but I feel like maybe only having 2-3min at the test speed during warm up, didn't actually get my aerobic system where it needed to be. It seemed to jump a bit from 13:00-18:00 then somewhat level off until later in the test.

Thoughts?

The goal of this was to hopefully void myself of a vest for summer runs in the southeast US, with the ability to carry 1400 (ideally 1500ml) of fluids. I also wanted to attempt to use it for a fall 100 with no required gear.

Maybe it’s just me? Reviews seem great. I’ve been super pleased with ultraspire products thus far, but just received the mountain racer waistpack in the mail and I think it’s going back.

Before I do that, I figured I’d “trouble shoot” here. I spoke with a very nice gentleman with the company, and told him my size. He said they ran small, but should be okay. I wear a 34 (US) pants. Large goes 33-37”. Thinking that would be okay as there was 3” of play so to speak. It fit very snug, with maybe 1/2” of “tightening” if I really pulled hard.

I run an iPhone 17 Pro Max in a pelican case. It fits in both front pockets not designated for hydration. That said, I get the felt I could only use one pocket or another. Not both. More on that to come…

It comes with a locking cap 800ml soft flask. That fits perfectly in the rear pocket. Reviews suggest a 650ml in the front but a 500ml being fine. Don’t do what I tried. I went “cheap” and tried to use one of my normal 500ml soft flasks. Lesson learned. You’ll get wet. Needs to be locking. That said, I could barely fit one in there, and couldn’t imagine a 650. Speaking with a rep from Ultraspire, he said he used the 800 up front and 1000 in the year. I believe him, he’s probably built for running more so than me 😂.

With a flask or any sort in the front pocket, I don’t see how you could utilize the front could have pockets to any value. Maybe a phone/license/ID… a little cash? I’m not sure.

The side pockets seem suited well to hold numerous gels or a battery for a headlamp.

Now my biggest issue. I don’t mind stuffing my shorts pockets if I have to, or sliding gloves/arm sleeves/knit hat in a waist band or under an elastic strap, that’s fine. I can’t expect to have all creature comforts for a hobby jogger like myself, in a waist pack.

I put Leki poles on the back, with 800ml fluid, and just took it for a spin down the driveway, and I don’t know how I could make it to the end of the street, let alone 10 miles + with the bounce. I do suffer from lack of a butt to help hold waist cinching items such as a belt, or pants, in place, but the bounce of the 800ml in the back plus the poles just didn’t cut it.

I really hate to return it, as I love the concept and I even think it’s thought out pretty well, but the bounce and the slide even cinched as tight as I can, on dry clothing, let alone wet sweaty clothes, just seems like a frustration and distraction rather than asset. It’s probably just me and my build, but idk 🤷🏼‍♂️

Anyone else have issues with cap comparability? I’ve got several flasks of varying capacities, all with the 42mm lids, and most recently, ordered the Speedfill caps for some flasks. They’re 500ml Salomon branded HydraPak flasks. I can’t for the life of me get them to go on without cross threading them. I had one cap of 4, on three different flasks, I was able to get on without cross threading or without it leaking. Is this just a me thing 😂.

I’ve also tried mixing and matching 42mm caps from my 800ml Ultraspire (still HydraPak) with the same issue.

I could just be getting senile as I pass 40 years of age and cognitively slipping 😂🤷🏼‍♂️

Filled out the form. Sent the video. Etc. It's been a few days. No correspondence or confirmation email. Is that normal?

Don't torch and pitchfork or tar and feather me, but I found the Uphill Athlete "Trail Running: 100 Mile Mountain Ultra- RPE" plan before I realized Scott had branched off and formed Evoke. I had read the Training for the Uphill Athlete, and just searched from there. The race I had planned on using that plan for got canceled.

I have since discovered Evoke exists and love the community. Now with a new build starting in June, I'm trying to decide whether to keep using it or buy another from Evoke. I'm not confident enough to make my own at this point. While I'm willing to pay for a new plan, but being budget minded, I have to ask what significant, if any, game changer differences may lie in one vs the other if they're both built on the same principals theoretically.

Looking at the differences in the previews they seem to differ some, but I can't really tell how much, or what basic principals may change. Hate to be "that guy" but $55 is still $55.

Still struggling to find a trail shoe I love. What I’ve had, and what I liked and don’t like. 6’1 200lb

Topo Ultraventure-
Liked- responsiveness
Didn’t like- never could get it locked down on my heel; seemed to have a lot of ground feel for the stack/cushion, fairly slick on wet rocks and roots

Topo Vista-
Liked- responsive early in life/run; great fit; great lock down; grippy
Didnt like- too plush for me which also caused stability issues, and seemed to also suck energy due to the compression of midsole in every step. Comfortable ride but after 50-60k it just seemed too soft like you were running on pillows with no energy return. Also seemed to exacerbate some pronation issues.

Mount to Coast T1-
Liked- fit; stability; grip
Didn’t like- they do seem to be a bit harsh. I’m trying to love them but it seems like it’s the far other end of the spectrum as far as ride, from the Vista.

Hoka Speedgoat 7-
Liked- grippy, responsive, seem to have a decent ride from a responsiveness and cushion ratio.
Didnt like- FIT. I’ve never had to wear a wide but with these I do. It’s still not wide enough. I also had to go up to a 13US. Still feels a bit short in the big toe area but also too loose in other areas, but wide and loose in others? I don’t know how to explain it but it’s too small and too large at the same time. I’ve played with lacing, etc and just can’t get it to where it feels good. It also feels clunky. Granted I’ve only got 40 miles on them, they just feel really rigid in the upper like they won’t break in and form to the foot so to speak.

All that to say I just feel like I’m being too picky but at the same time, I don’t see me personally being able to tolerate any of the above for 100mi without relatively preventable issues.
Anyone else going through to that? Road shoes it seems a lot easier to find something you love. Maybe I’m being too critical?