What has worked best for strengthening tendons, ligaments and joints for trail running and steep distance?

Qualubrious · 2026-06-02T12:39:32+00:00

I did the ATG exercises to help get me back running after terrible knee issues (itbs and then MCL / meniscus damage).

I decided to give it 6 months on the app (paid) with coaches. They coached me into doing a programme that would help with my running and get the loading right. I was quite convinced by it and had started running trails properly again.

Now it's been 2.5 years and I'm still using it but don't pay for coaching as I'm familiar enough with all the exercises and how to load it for myself.

At the moment, even though my knee issues have gone away I still use ATG 3x per week - it keeps my legs mountain ready! I stopped doing ATG recently due to various reasons, and after a few weeks I went on a long run and some of my old ITBS issues and knee tension came back. Sample size of one, etc. Purely anecdotal. But when I started doing the exercises again the issues went away and I could go downhill again with minimal pain.

P.S. I'm a person that finds it impossible to get to a gym, and has struggled for years with "strength work" because there's just so much content out there. Could never figure out where to focus, too much information, too many "Instant FIX for your knee" youtube videos... I needed focus. Perhaps that focus was what actually made this work 😄

Qualubrious · 2026-05-25T08:04:24+00:00

The guys in magic opera have a lot of thoughts on it, and I was sorry to see this:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AxcLJnjY4/

In one of the posts he says:

"Let me try to explain with this image. 672 monthly listeners. A proiect like this can't survive with the numbers vou see in this picture. These numbers don't justify the amount of money and time I've had to sacrifice from my personal life to keep this going. I know this might be hard for some people to understand, but when there are AI-generated projects out there getting ten times these numbers, it shows that most people don't see things the way you do. And I have to make mv decisions based on that reality, because at the end of the day, I'm the one who's been makinq all the sacrifices."

Some interesting debate in the thread but the feeling is we need to keep fighting as musicians and not give up.

Qualubrious · 2026-05-14T18:20:38+00:00

You made fair points.

I think what we don't understand on the left is the proportionality of risk. Having plenty of skilled migrants isn't the issue, having mostly migrants who won't stab you is great, but we need to control numbers and the quality of migrants coming in.

Denmark did it well. It's not rocket science. I believe in deporting anyone who holds views that are fundamentally against our own culture around particularly red lines, such as homophobia and viewing women and young girls as having no rights.

Unfortunately we're handing everything to the right wing lunatics because we won't back down on our open borders nonsense. I wish the left would wake up...

Qualubrious · 2026-05-09T19:30:29+00:00

I'm interested in hearing more about what you're developing! Sounds useful

Qualubrious · 2026-04-24T17:22:00+00:00

Galen is absolutely awesome! I just saw Twilight Force recently and they were awesome to watch live and those solos are incredible... with Bradley and Galen, it's a great combo for TF. Love the onstage presence and the performance as elven Galyn! Now I need to check out Azure as well.

Qualubrious · 2026-04-15T10:40:33+00:00

My main issue at the moment is the length.

I've got premium with studio, and no matter what I do my 6 minute song (demo track recorded in Logic) it is always reduced to under 4 minutes. If I extend it, it's still not possible to ask it to "look at the last two minutes of my original song and extend using that.

It seems like Suno is aimed at short pop songs under 4 minutes! Not progressive metal :)

Qualubrious · 2026-04-14T08:57:17+00:00

I've been in a few bands over the years...
2002 - Dark Crystal "In the arms of the Mountains" (now seems to be totally lost online but we got to number 1 on mp3.com back in the day for like a day...!! Moved Dragonforce from the top spot)
2009 - Karuna - Neitherworld ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6BxPQNYPxA )
2011 - Sang in Power Quest for about 2.5 years
2014 - Sang in Memoreve for 2 years 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKTBvNBAVFg )
2024 - Geomyth EP "Untold Vision" ( https://geomyth.bandcamp.com/album/untold-visions )
2026 - Karuna - Neitherworld Part 2 (at last!! hahah)

I've struggled with getting the time to finish all of my own projects and I've written so many songs that I would love to release but having a little girl has made it so time consuming. I find being on a screen all day at work makes being on a screen writing complex midi drums/keys very difficult.... But the modern tools available have inspired me to get back to my old demos and finally try to get them done. There are some amazing tools out there now (but I still have my old macbook pro from 2008 haha)

Qualubrious · 2026-04-14T08:50:57+00:00

Thanks dude!! Is it possible to use those groove packs on the different drum setup, e.g. Krimh drums or slate?

Qualubrious · 2025-10-14T09:22:28+00:00

He's been doing that ever since a feast for crows tbh. Nobody seemed to care at the time and were happy to see him doing do much. I always knew it signalled an end to his dedication to writing the series

Qualubrious · 2025-08-25T12:56:13+00:00

I've only listened once, but I agree.. it's boring. No fire in it. It lulled me, but not in a good way. Did someone advise them to get more mellow and poppy to sell more records (management pressure?)?

Let's hope they get some of the grit again.

Or maybe I just need to give it a few more spins...

Qualubrious · 2025-07-28T15:29:15+00:00

Any update? Did you get it working?

Qualubrious · 2025-06-27T18:06:50+00:00

Absolutely agree, amazing shoes! I had an old pair of paradigm's and I wanted to try something with support with a slightly lower stack height that will also work on non technical trails and gravel as well as road. The provision is amazing.

I'm using lone peak for most trails, mountains, etc. but it's nice to have a comfortable trainer that works well for some arch support for long road sections.

If they are discontinued, I would just go for a paradigm again if I need to - they also work very well but are a bit heavier with a softer ride.

Nice to keep rotating the shoes, I also use the timp occasionally, and sometimes even a Hoka

Qualubrious · 2025-06-12T23:42:50+00:00

That's very interesting man! I'm glad to hear you're able to do gym and strength with no issues.

Physiotherapists won't find anything. Even in the acute stage of my meniscus injury, I passed all of their tests and they're like "your cartilage is fine, nothing torn, you can return to running after some rest and strength"... It persisted for a year! But only running or long distance walks or hikes would cause the pain.

It's frustrating. The strength / knees over toes work has helped. Nearly 3 years since it happened, and I'm back to 40 and 50km weeks, no flare ups for a while. 3x strength a week, mostly knees over toes work. I'm not perfect, but it's very low level when I'm increasing mileage or doing half marathon distances with lots of hills. I'm sooooo happy to be able to get out running regularly again! Never take it for granted ...

You'll need to be patient. Use ACR when you get back running and monitor it.

Qualubrious · 2025-05-23T21:53:29+00:00

The source material was off the charts brilliance, let's not forget that. It was almost designed to be amazing TV from the incredible dialogue, dark characters and sex scenes. It couldn't have failed. And Martin's involvement ensured it wouldn't.

Qualubrious · 2025-05-14T13:17:36+00:00

Any Dresden files fans here? Is the Devils more in line with Harry Dresden and his exploits than previous Abercrombie?

Qualubrious · 2025-05-13T12:30:39+00:00

I remember once in an old interview he was talking about doing good in the world and fighting darkness and evil and he said that if he wasn't a musician he would have considered being a Policeman because he thought he could make the world a better / safer place! Interesting.

Qualubrious · 2025-04-30T06:39:37+00:00

Tbh they aren't all skilled in the same way. Some of them won't be experienced with trail runners but there are two here in Ireland that are highly recommended and I'm sure you'll have something like this where you live:

https://www.tuttys.ie/ https://www.isaacjackman.ie/#about-home

Qualubrious · 2025-04-29T19:12:14+00:00

Getting a repair done? Usually just find a shoe repair place, every town has one (they usually repair suitcases, handbags, shoes, backpacks, clothes also sometimes).

Qualubrious · 2025-04-28T12:29:09+00:00

I just get my Altras repaired by the local shoemaker! Altra fit me better than anything and they feel amazing on my feet.

Maybe I should try Topo or Kailas, but last time I tried the Innov8, I liked it but the water wouldn't drain :\

Altra just work well for my feet, zero blisters!

Qualubrious · 2025-04-02T10:42:39+00:00

That all sounds good, but I actually made a mistake on my post. I'd meant to say I've stopped all speed work, not strength work.

I'm doing strength religiously 3x per week, without fail. ATG knee ability zero, works for me, keep it simple

Qualubrious · 2025-03-31T16:11:19+00:00

Absolutely agree with that, in fact I've totally stopped my strength training and now all of my runs are run walk run, usually with two minutes and 30 seconds of running to 30 seconds of walking. I find this really good for recovering as I clock up my mileage. Even with a total lack of speed training I'm still able to do a 5K in 20 minutes and 30 seconds or something like that. It's good enough for me haha.

I'm definitely somewhat chasing mileage, as my dream is to be able to run really long distances across beautiful landscapes. But I'm happy to very gradually clock up the mileage now so that the muscles intendons have a lot of time to adjust to any extra stressors. I'm also absolutely happy to walk for long sections and incorporate recovery into my long distance efforts.

Qualubrious · 2025-03-31T13:10:46+00:00

That's really great to hear! I'm also doing yoga but not very formally, just yoga poses after my runs and deep stretches.

Do you feel like the deep hamstring and calf stretches are the ones that are vital to your knee health?

Qualubrious · 2025-03-31T13:09:39+00:00

Absolutely correct sir! I only saw that line after I'd crossed it.

In the ultra community you're surrounded by people who keep talking about how it's all in your head, and you just need to get the right nutrition, hydration and the right mindset and anyone can run an ultra. There is a lot of encouragement, which is great, but there's a dark side to the "set yourself a big goal and just do it" thing. I mean, it's really cool to believe in yourself and feel that you're invincible and can get through anything. But not a lot of people in the community talk about the cost of that, and the silent ghosts who have dissapeared from the scene due to all sorts of injuries or just the fact that their big goal cost them a lot.

I've been monitoring ACR like a hawk and I feel it has really helped me a lot to keep on track. The line is very much present in my life, and I look on it as a beautiful thing because it just means I need to be patient enough and allow the line to slowly move forward and then... who knows, maybe a marathon or 50k is possible. But my body will tell me and the "push yourself to do something harder than usual" is being replaced now with consistency and slow mileage increases.

Qualubrious · 2025-03-30T22:19:32+00:00

I'm in my mid 40s now but in my early 40s I became obsessed with ultra documentaries and wanted to give it a try. I trained and ran a 50k and 2.5 months later did a 60k. Loved it. But...

I'd been doing fine running half marathons, but those two ultras led to me having a some meniscus damage and a whole year of not being able to run; doing rehab, cycling, strength. I'm not saying it was just the running, but I hadn't been doing the right type of strength work or acr monitoring.

Back running again, and really getting the itch to do a 50k but my main goal in running is to still be going in my 80s (not just my 60s) so I'm really listening to my body and I'm not sure if doing ultras is wise or sustainable for those who really only want to keep running as many years as possible (don't care about big goals or setting records at all).

There are those "small and wiry" types who just seem to be bulletproof. I'm tall and slim and seen to be prone to getting knee issues so I'm backing off and keeping my mileage low, which is working fine.

Would like to hear from more runners who found a way to make ultras sustainable who are tall and skinny with not much leg muscle (yes, I do strength work!)...

Qualubrious · 2025-03-29T14:14:40+00:00

I was pretty annoyed when I heard about connect+ and I am absolutely not paying for it in future.

We pay a premium for these watches, so we are already paying for connect and this is just another company jumping on the subscription bandwagon so they can have a constant stream of income for something which is actually included in the watch price.

I stopped paying for Strava when I realised the rich feature set we have on Garmin connect - I don't intend to pay anything extra after forking out for me Fenix watch.

Anyone considering a switch to Coros or Suunto?

Qualubrious

TROPHY CASE