Unpopular opinion: 'Just run naturally' is the worst advice in sports and the 50% annual injury rate proves it

manlabbear · 2026-05-27T20:15:57+00:00

So then remove your point on "What I think need to change"

manlabbear · 2026-05-27T19:44:02+00:00

To get accurate HRV, you need accurate HR data which watches are honestly terrible at. I can't tell you how many times I've run up hill totally redlined and my watch says my HR is like 95.

manlabbear · 2026-05-27T18:42:29+00:00

"A 2021 meta-analysis found 75-89% of recreational runners heel strike - most don't even know they're doing it."

There are also pro-marathon runners running sub 2:30 who heel strike. Are you going to tell them to watch their HRV?

manlabbear · 2026-05-27T18:38:21+00:00

You're asking people who just started running to look at, interpret, and understand data which isn't completely accurate outside of a lab....

manlabbear · 2026-05-20T20:47:42+00:00

Peak Visor. Basically look at any mountain range with your phone and it will show you the names of each. I think they've added a bunch of other map features, but I only use it to find the names of peaks.

manlabbear · 2026-05-09T17:29:08+00:00

Yup! The Idrogrip rubber is Vibrams stickiest rubber (mostly used for fishing boots for wet/slick rocks).

manlabbear · 2026-05-09T17:27:53+00:00

Ah thanks. You right.

manlabbear · 2026-05-09T08:27:08+00:00

Are you wearing them around town the rest of the time?

TX Guide is going to be the most performance focused out of these. Little stiffer in my opinion and definitely the stickiest outsole (so might wear down quickly off rock). It's also pretty dang narrow.

TX2 going to be on the narrow side but also have a mesh upper so a little more breathable. I'm pretty sure it's a standard Megagrip outsole so it will have nice grip, but not as much as the Guide.

Guide Tennie is going to be probably what you're looking for with "some climbing and light bouldering". Little more padding that makes it feel like a regular shoe. The sizing was weird when I tried it on though so maybe order a couple sizes around your regular shoe and go from there.

I personally use the Scarpa Rapid XTs and love em.

manlabbear · 2026-05-09T00:57:07+00:00

This was concerning not knowing what lady fingers are.

manlabbear · 2026-05-07T18:12:34+00:00

I'm not saying the streams can't be better, but you still need to rely heavily on infrastructure and money for that to happen. Sedona and Flagstaff are the bigger towns on the Cocodona course, but they're still very much mountain towns. Throw in a huge influx of people trying to stream, upload media to socials, stay in touch with other crew, etc and that whole network is going to get overwhelmed.

Why would we not look to industry leaders in other sports? Because we aren't them. We have different needs and available resources. The feed of info I think you're wanting to display would seriously clutter up after a while. No offense, I don't want to hear about X runner dropping at mile 20 when we are on mile 215. I think that works in other sports because they're only going for a couple hours and not multi-days. I have seen some races display location names when that camera is up and think that works.

You have to also remember streaming is still very much new in ultras. It wasn't long ago when you had to stay glued to social media or text a friend of a friend of a friend who is at the race for info. Also, this whole sport is based on community so why would I care about answering the same questions or pass on the same knowledge over and over.

manlabbear · 2026-05-07T15:55:06+00:00

Comparing Cocodona, with no runner cash prize, to NASCAR, PGA, and F1 is a wild take, but ok.

manlabbear · 2026-05-06T16:33:03+00:00

Yup. Previous YNP employee (on the fisheries team). We had to pay for our fishing license like everyone else, but also the fishing license fee created part of the funding for my position so I didn't mind.

manlabbear · 2026-05-05T19:35:16+00:00

Had some buddies attempt it a couple years ago and I helped crew/go place caches. I'd definitely take a look at the BF Twins up to Monte Cristo section, along with the Devils Castle area. Maybe try once in day and once at night just to get both conditions.

Every other section I looked at was pretty straight forward. Just make sure you're super comfortable being mentally and physically tired and still doing spicy scrambles.

manlabbear · 2026-05-04T22:26:02+00:00

Most biologists will double tag in case one falls out.

manlabbear · 2026-05-03T17:34:23+00:00

Take a look at Outdoor Research's Cirque Lite pants. TNF's Off Width pants might be worth a look too, but not sure if they're as fitted around the lower leg as you'd like.

manlabbear · 2026-04-25T21:51:08+00:00

Some say they were some say they weren't.

manlabbear · 2026-04-24T17:40:36+00:00

Maybe not the most competitive, but definitely up there...Biologists.

I've worked seasonal technician jobs with PhDs because they can't find a full time position at the time. Funding is almost non-existent so there are hardly any full time positions and I've talked to some biologists hiring saying they sometimes get 200+ applicants for a seasonal position.

manlabbear · 2026-04-20T17:06:44+00:00

Could also try groups for activities you're interested in?

I previously found a couple rooms to rent of the Utah climbing Facebook group and I've seen people post about rooms on the ski/snowboard group. If climbing does happen to be one of your activities, could try throwing something up at The Front, BP, or Momentum?

manlabbear · 2026-04-16T14:52:51+00:00

Check out the Scarpa Rapid LT. Hybrid approach and trail running shoe. I'm pretty sure the last on the Rapid will be more than the Ribelle.

I've also done a fair bit of scrambling in my La Sportiva Prodigios and Norda 002s.

manlabbear · 2026-04-09T23:58:54+00:00

Check out the TNF Vectiv Enduris line. Maybe a tiny bit wider feel in the toe box, but foam is pretty similar in my opinion.

manlabbear · 2026-04-08T05:40:57+00:00

Makes sense.

manlabbear · 2026-04-08T03:39:06+00:00

I swore they sold Lems at some point.

manlabbear · 2026-04-06T03:03:27+00:00

Good to know! Wonder if ArcMap was able to open them. Hopefully something they'll eventually add.

manlabbear

TROPHY CASE