u/Rykdaddy

Any trail runners in this community? I’m trying to get faster at my hills. I don’t have any kind of cardio limiter, more of a form limiter.

What feels most natural steep uphill is to shift my knees forward past my toes and run on the balls of my feet. Keeps me upright and I feel fast and strong.

Problem: it’s too taxing on my calves to maintain for even a mile let alone multiple miles uphill.

If I land midfoot, I can’t really drive off the toes since it will strain my calf.

I’ve experimented with different levels of leans and a quicker cadence uphill, but it just doesn’t feel natural.

Does anyone have this skill of long distance running up steep hills down and have any insights?

Context: Baby was a preemie, so she is very small for her age (probably about 15lbs at almost a year). She’s got the proper strength to be in a backpack (crawling, half standing, and can sit up and move around on her own).

So I’ve got a deuter kid comfort backpack, but even on its smallest settings, my baby isn’t snug enough when she’s asleep. She can bend like completely in half to either side or forwards under the front headrest. The seating area is just too big for her.

Are there any backpacks that fit extra small babies? I have a carrier that I can wear her to my body, but I’d rather have more structure and give her a better view/experience when hiking.

I know earth runners are have the felt footbed and I’m wondering how well it holds up.

Has anyone doing a diy sandal tried like wool or something as a foot bed? I am wanting to add some grip to my sandals for when my feet get really sweaty or I get them wet.

I do want them to be durable as well so I’m not constantly trying to add more once it disappears.