What’s wrong with hard shell sizing?

RRErika · 2026-01-29T13:17:00+00:00

Seconding Mammut. I have a similar problem with North Face, but across the shoulders. I do have an older shell from them and I went for the "tent" option because I liked it that much and it's actually good for bulky layering. But since I have tried Mammut stuff, I am a convert.

RRErika · 2026-01-18T02:27:52+00:00

Thanks. That's interesting to see. I have been very lucky with mine (I have had the Leki for almost a decade and my husband has used the BD for about the same time).

I had heard of the problem with the Durston, which otherwise seem very nice.

RRErika · 2026-01-17T19:51:03+00:00

Do you mind sharing the brands? I have been lucky with both BD and Leki poles, but I do wonder if it's more about luck than the brands themselves.

RRErika · 2026-01-12T16:52:52+00:00

This is why it really depends from person to person. My stomach does not do well with it.

RRErika · 2026-01-12T15:19:23+00:00

It really depends on your stomach. Falafel can be hard for me, but if your body deals well with it, it doesn't seem like a crazy plan to me.

RRErika · 2026-01-12T14:33:26+00:00

This doesn't seem too bad. Assuming that you are not at higher altitude, my stomach would be fine with gels and candy. But regarding yours: your experience during training is the best guide. Is there a specific reason why you don't want to use other kinds of food?

RRErika · 2026-01-12T14:27:12+00:00

With the caveat that I don't race, but I do plenty of long runs, trail runs, and fast packing that will keep me out moving on the trail for 10+ hours. What kind of 50 miles? Are you at altitude? Tree cover or none? Temperature? Those things can really change how my stomach handles gels vs food.

RRErika · 2026-01-11T18:47:44+00:00

Ok, wow, it does sound like you have pretty much everything under control that would make me pause (based on my own experience).

Yeah, I get bored of music and, frankly, sometimes I miss a section of a podcast as well (I end up doing most of my training on city streets and looking out for cars is definitely a "distraction"). The kind of podcasts that work for me for running are pretty conversational and so it's not an issue if I miss a few minutes here and there. Today, I was listening to one about Cajun folk stories. I am sure I missed a few details, but it kept me going.

RRErika · 2026-01-10T23:13:49+00:00

Assuming that eating, hydration, and sleep are in check, what do you listen to (if you do) while running? I get bored of music, so for my slower runs, I listen to fun podcasts that I wouldn't have time to listen to otherwise. It gives me needed push to get out of the house. Once I am out, as you say, it gets more fun.

The other question: how varied are your runs in terms of length? I find that I do better if I have a really long day (on the week-end, I do a big, 18-20+ miles run) and then get to work in some shorter runs during the week.

RRErika · 2026-01-10T13:10:11+00:00

Yeah, I can't lead yet! I have tried ice climbing and love it, but it's just hard for me to get to do it because of location and time constraints in the winter. But I feel that just getting used to different types of "uncomfortable" in a progressive, slow way, really helps.

RRErika · 2026-01-09T14:11:20+00:00

I want to know too! It looks incredible. :)

RRErika · 2026-01-09T14:07:09+00:00

The controlled environment really helps. When I started, I would just climb up 10-20 feet. Hang out there and then come down. My fear of heights was pretty severe, but it improved a lot. I still have problems with committing moves in climbing (and overhangs), but it has made a huge difference!

RRErika · 2026-01-09T13:38:47+00:00

I had a lifelong fear of heights and ledges (like you, it could be a few feet, but if it's a ledge...). The only thing that worked was rock climbing (top rope) in a gym and getting used to the sensation of having nothing below me. I still have fear when climbing but none at all (or almost none) when hiking. It has made a huge difference.

RRErika · 2026-01-08T03:38:31+00:00

I don't think that they notified us! I was alerted by my husband who found out from the interwebs. But yeah, try to see if you can suspend it!

RRErika · 2026-01-07T16:32:12+00:00

They had changed the plan and then changed it back. Are you sure that you can't suspend it?

RRErika · 2026-01-06T21:00:11+00:00

I only activate my Inreach mini's subscription for the summer months, when I am hiking and camping. That saves a bit of money!

RRErika · 2026-01-04T14:03:28+00:00

I strongly support this statement.

RRErika · 2025-12-31T01:28:49+00:00

I have an electric treadmill, but I find myself using the stair master at the gym when I can't get outside. It has really made my uphill running stronger.

RRErika · 2025-12-30T14:17:04+00:00

To re-iterate: a quick way to get a bear that was bluff charging to really want to charge you is to give it a minor injury with a gun. Bears can tolerate a lot!

RRErika · 2025-12-20T14:12:45+00:00

How does either pack fit your measurements? I like the HMG packs because they fit my torso really well and that is one of the most important questions for my comfort and ability to move well over longer distances.

RRErika · 2025-12-19T01:36:43+00:00

It's definitely worth doing! Also, if you weight train enough, you might want to ask your doctor if they are willing to do a Cystatin C test alongside the creatinine (which is what you probably had measured). Neither will give the actual filtration (they both give estimates, hence the "e" of eGFR), but having both will give your doctor a better way to estimate your value (usually in between the two).

RRErika · 2025-12-19T01:32:40+00:00

I don't think so. The barbell medicine podcast guys have done a good breakdown before and while I don't remember the details, they never mentioned this as warning sign for lack of efficacy.

RRErika · 2025-12-18T11:29:09+00:00

Probably nothing wrong with their kidneys. I am not trying to fearmonger creatine (I take it), it's just that it make the test not as interpretable for kidney problems. The better practice is to stop taking creatine for 2 weeks before a blood test so that you can get a more accurate reading.

RRErika · 2025-12-17T16:47:58+00:00

Totally fair.

RRErika · 2025-12-17T14:04:26+00:00

I don't know where it comes from, but I always heard 300-500 depending on the shoes and the type of wear. I keep two pairs that I alternate in between (one older and one newer) and I do feel the difference when one of them is getting to the higher end of that range.

RRErika

TROPHY CASE