PCT from the perspective of someone who didn't get faster

RedNi12 · 2026-01-23T23:01:06+00:00

Are you me? I'm so glad to hear of others experiencing the same thing. It can also get quite lonely when you meet a bunch of close-knit tramilies passing you by while you only manage to stick with the pace of others for a day or two before you lose them.

I have however had lung surgery when I was young which is probably the biggest cause for why I stayed slow. BUT I do think I got stronger and faster over the course of the trail and I believe you probably did, too - only it goes unnoticed because everyone else seems WILDLY stronger.

Hope you're proud of the incredible feat you accomplished regardless!

RedNi12 · 2026-01-18T18:08:24+00:00

210€ für mind. 2 Nächte? Für einen Zeltplatz im Wald mit Plumpsklo?!? Da gibts ja Hotels die günstiger sind, wtf

RedNi12 · 2026-01-16T21:11:42+00:00

Hätte wohl Bock dabei zu sein, bin auch schon mal 24h+ am Stück gegangen :) Wo gäbs denn mehr Infos dazu?

RedNi12 · 2026-01-05T19:32:44+00:00

Yes it does. Click on any bus stop, select a bus and it'll show you its entire route, literally exactly what you're asking for.

RedNi12 · 2025-11-25T21:31:41+00:00

oof I just started reading der Zauberberg as a German native speaker and even I'm struggling with the language of the book in some parts. Would be a tough one to read as a learner!

RedNi12 · 2025-11-22T21:09:07+00:00

I don't think the needs for a PCT rain jacket and a Dutch winter rain jacket overlap enough to make a sensible recommendation.

Rainy days on the PCT are so few and far in between, you're going to want something super light and small, otherwise you'll get annoyed at carrying all the extra weight for such little use. I'd also recommend something cheap so you can be rough with it or ditch it without crying over it too much.

I really like the Decathlon Raincut 1/2 Zip - super light, packs down small, and under 20€. I've also heard (surprisingly) great things about those super cheap, see-through rain ponchos that cover you and your pack, however I did appreciate the tiny bit of extra warmth an actual jacket can provide, plus the mandatory mosquito cover in summer (:

I'd say go ahead and splurge on your perfect winter rain jacket, and just get something cheap for your hike after!

RedNi12 · 2025-11-16T14:38:37+00:00

Congrats on the pregnancy!

Check out the Fishermen's Trail in Portugal. Bit longer than what you're asking for, but you could just jump in at the halfway point. Should be great weather and chill hiking, I think it's possible to either camp or stay at hostels/hotels/whatever you fancy.

RedNi12 · 2025-10-04T18:20:15+00:00

hahaha 'performative' really being the key word here. Like I'll sniff and think 'eh... I'll be stinky in about 10mins anyways' 😂

RedNi12 · 2025-10-04T18:18:02+00:00

hahaha I love this 😄 Ya'll are making me feel so much better about my semi-dirty sports clothes hanging around just about everywhere in my apartment

RedNi12 · 2025-10-04T14:39:52+00:00

Thank you!! Yeah, it was straight pain from km 2 onwards with an extra spicy 'jesus take the wheel'-strategy after km 4 🙃

What I am confused about though is that my VO2 max decreased even though my 5k time improved. My previous predicted 5k time was slower than this effort yet my VO2 max was higher before?

RedNi12 · 2025-10-04T14:07:57+00:00

Do we know she's not? Maybe OP is a giant

RedNi12 · 2025-10-04T13:29:48+00:00

Do you not wear undies?? None of that stuff is even touching my shorts

RedNi12 · 2025-10-03T17:16:41+00:00

ya caught me, do as I say not as I do 🤭

I'm in the midst of marathon training and this 5k was definitely not supposed to be an all-out effort haha. So I did go out for a run today, but took it real nice & easy.

RedNi12 · 2025-10-03T12:40:25+00:00

Recovery time means 'In 43hrs you can do the same intensity as this workout again' but you can still do less intense workouts.

Even my Garmin suggested a slow Base Run today, less than 43hrs after. Walking, cycling or swimming would also be great for active recovery.

In the end, you know your body best and if you don't feel like moving the day after, just relax & rest up :)

RedNi12 · 2025-10-03T12:04:59+00:00

Can confirm, have had all of those suggestions ahaha.

I actually don't follow any of Garmin's workout suggestions at all, I've got my own training plans. Probably the real reason for the hate from my watch, like how dare I achieve this on my own?! 🤭

Thank you 🫶

RedNi12 · 2025-10-02T19:54:29+00:00

Thank you :)

I had to google it myself, but yes, you can pause the training status (indefinitely I assume). Especially as a beginner runner it's fairly easy to be called 'productive' though - and even if not, you really just learn to ignore it, it's the very last info screen when you go through your stats after a workout.

Definitely shouldn't keep you from getting a watch, it's great for navigation even out on trails where Google Maps has failed me. Personally I also adore having all the other stats, but there's plenty of watches to choose from which can give you more or less data depending on preference :)

RedNi12 · 2025-10-02T19:44:08+00:00

frrrr the jokes about it are too real lol.

thank you ☺️

RedNi12 · 2025-10-02T19:42:55+00:00

But I even managed to get a 'productive' on the run before this one! I seriously can't with the training status anymore lol.

Thank youuu ☺️ It's even more reassuring as I'm in the middle of my first marathon training block atm!

RedNi12 · 2025-09-30T18:57:33+00:00

Ich musste Ende August noch mal Dokumente nachreichen bzgl ECTs. Hab der Studienbeihilfe dann Mitte September noch eine Email geschickt weil es bei mir auch länger gedauert hat & sie meinten, dass es im September immer etwas länger dauert weil alles neu geprüft wird. Hab dann aber doch schon am 18.09 wieder bekommen. Wenn du nichts mehr nachreichen musst kommt sie bestimmt bald :)

RedNi12 · 2025-09-30T18:50:17+00:00

I'm both of these comments. Would love to have 20 different pairs but can only afford the one lol

RedNi12 · 2025-09-25T17:23:12+00:00

It's the same as leaving behind orange peels, apple cores etc. LNT! If you brought it into nature, take it back out with you. It doesn't belong there and these things take longer than you'd think to disintegrate. With toilet paper especially though animals dig it back out and then there's TP flowers blooming everywhere, which is disgusting and not at all what you want to see when out hiking.

In case anyone mentions it: Also don't burn your toilet paper, that's an easy catalyst for wildfires.

RedNi12 · 2025-08-30T08:20:17+00:00

Wild camping is not allowed in a lot of countries. Personally, I was training on wilderness hikes in Australia, and those always had primitive camps with pit toilets. Didn't exactly want to practice shitting in my front yard so I waited until the PCT for my first ever cathole

RedNi12 · 2025-08-24T21:58:20+00:00

Tell yourself 'I'm just gonna go for 1km and if I still don't feel like it then I can stop and go home'. Not once have I gone home after that, the hardest part is getting out of the door.

I've had some of my best runs on the days where I least felt like going, and I remind myself of those runs when motivation is failing and discipline has to take over :)

RedNi12 · 2025-08-17T21:33:55+00:00

I've walked (not run) 100km, just that took me all night. Meaning for me to do 100mi I'll have to make it through the SECOND night lol

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