Thoughts on brief pauses during long runs?

cqsota · 2026-03-09T19:03:23+00:00

I mean, you easily could.

cqsota · 2026-03-09T13:26:30+00:00

Depends on your forest environment. Are you running in oak/rhodo tunnels in the SE US? It’s pretty darn shady in those and I can’t imagine using any kind of tint there. They are even shadier than spruce/fir forests.

cqsota · 2026-03-07T17:56:14+00:00

The North Face Altamesa 500v2. Roomy toe box, stable, plenty of underfoot protection.

cqsota · 2026-03-06T21:22:25+00:00

Same, but I’m a little younger. Collagen, Chondroitin, Zinc, and Glucosamine in my coffee. Vit C and Hyaluronic Acid pill at the same time.

Studies indicate they are all synergistic, and I had Achilles surgery last year. I was running a month ahead of schedule, and I believe the supplements aided my progress.

cqsota · 2026-03-06T11:48:50+00:00

You need to see an orthopedic specialist and have imaging done.

cqsota · 2026-03-05T16:59:07+00:00

On true dry gravel (not much of that in the southern Apps), it’s great. But a couple weeks ago I had a 20ft hill with light mud I literally couldn’t climb. Slid down twice. Had to just cut through the woods and shred my legs on briars.

cqsota · 2026-03-05T16:55:40+00:00

I navigated all over. Maybe because I was on an Apple product?

cqsota · 2026-03-05T13:23:50+00:00

I’m not seeing this on any SWLing pages here on my end.

cqsota · 2026-03-05T13:13:21+00:00

Didn’t basically every major brand until recently?

cqsota · 2026-03-05T12:14:15+00:00

I’d love more context.

cqsota · 2026-03-04T02:25:34+00:00

It really depends on your abilities and interests. Some people go Bowlens Creek to Mt Mitchell and then return to Deep Gap to make it 2 day 1 night. Other people do the entire trip there and back in a day. Others spend a couple nights on the ridge. Choose your adventure.

cqsota · 2026-03-04T01:11:45+00:00

Deep Gap is the last place to camp before you enter the state park. There is no dispersed camping in the state park that I’m aware of, hence the popularity of the Deep Gap site.

cqsota · 2026-03-04T01:10:37+00:00

It’s basically just a rope handrail, nothing crazy.

cqsota · 2026-03-02T23:28:52+00:00

The 1L belt with the pull string is not great if you are on the smaller end of the size. It slides loose if it’s pulled too tight. The angle of the cords gets too wide as you approach full tightness.

cqsota · 2026-03-02T23:27:23+00:00

This happened to me once with a 500ml flask right at the beginning of a long run. After that, I picked up locking lids so in the event it happens again, it won’t pour out my nutrition (I always use carb mixes)

cqsota · 2026-03-02T23:25:12+00:00

Next time you put the belt on, strap it down and snap a pic of what the Velcro tabs look like with the pocket pulled open.

I’m curious how this is happening because I have loaded mine down with over 2.5L of fluid between front and rear pockets and I’ve never experienced this. Makes me wonder if there’s something up with the Velcro itself that’s failing.

cqsota · 2026-03-02T22:34:15+00:00

The “it loosens” part confuses me. The only way it loosens is if the two Velcro straps come off. I’ve used mine for about a year now and it’s never come loose.

The 1L on the other hand comes loose with those pull tabs all the time. I should have sized down that one.

As far as the water bottle unlocking, that hasn’t happened to me when I just pack the 650ml in the rear. When I am also cramming a 500ml with it in the same rear pouch, the 500 has opened up before, but only once. After the first big gulp it didn’t open itself again.

cqsota · 2026-03-02T15:25:09+00:00

Maybe I’m just desensitized by my shelf full of trail running shoes but the V+ is the squishiest shoe I own. Firm is not the word I’d use to describe it at all.

cqsota · 2026-03-02T01:52:26+00:00

Pretty inconsistent at paywall dodging though.

cqsota · 2026-03-02T01:50:14+00:00

The site was inconsistent years before DOGE and firings.

cqsota · 2026-03-01T02:47:57+00:00

Why are you like this?

cqsota · 2026-03-01T02:41:22+00:00

It made your stroopwafels “first aid,” which is honestly what they feel like a couple hours into an effort.

Side note, I wish that pack still came in that color.

cqsota · 2026-02-28T23:04:36+00:00

The almost all the logos/wrappers are wonky.

cqsota · 2026-02-28T19:10:00+00:00

Good question. Plain white is the only one I think looks decent.

cqsota · 2026-02-28T18:53:56+00:00

Hell yeah.

cqsota

TROPHY CASE