tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post4341464693239240160..comments2023-12-28T21:22:10.935-07:00Comments on Jill Outside: OptimismJill Homerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-8550251804086242462013-07-20T21:22:50.493-06:002013-07-20T21:22:50.493-06:00I went shopping this evening for freeze-dried food...I went shopping this evening for freeze-dried food. Bought three MaryJanesFarm, Bare Burrito, Red Pesto Pasta, and Black Beans and Rice; five Backpackers Pantry, Pad Thai, Organic Spinach Puttanesca, Peanut & Raisin Oatmeal, Chana Masala, Cuban Coconut Black Beans and Rice; one packet of Seabear Smoked Sockeye Salmon.... I'm going to fill in the rest with Larabars, Shotblocks, gels, GORP, Pro-octane powder, soup packets, and pocketfuel.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389458818431848912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-3982340735380274332013-07-20T10:23:41.734-06:002013-07-20T10:23:41.734-06:00Iceland is beautiful! You'll love it.
I'm...Iceland is beautiful! You'll love it.<br /><br />I'm having a hard time eating any of those prepackaged meals these days, the only one I can eat right now is mashed potatoes with vegetarian bacon bits from Backpacker's Pantry. I can eat that one no matter how crappy I feel...but I have a four-day trail work trip coming up, and I'm pretty sure I'll be sick of those potatoes by the end of it. Maybe I need to invest in a dehydrator. Ingunnhttp://www.trailsnail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-5872361847804056942013-07-19T23:11:56.248-06:002013-07-19T23:11:56.248-06:00Jan — in a way, I see it that way, too, but I also...Jan — in a way, I see it that way, too, but I also view things like this relatively. In 2007-2008 I was pulling in about $500 a week on a small-town journalist's salary. Tax time came around and I figured out I dropped close to $2,000 for entry fee, travel, food, and a few unpaid days off for the ITI, and more than $2,000 for my gear (bike, sleeping bag, bike bags — all stuff I used again, but bought specifically to race the ITI.) Effectively, I dropped 1/6th of my annual income to race my first Iditarod event. The kind of percentage most people pour into their mortgages. Ridiculous? Definitely. But worth it? Absolutely. ;-) Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-79837034239026956652013-07-19T21:28:49.929-06:002013-07-19T21:28:49.929-06:00Prestige has nothing to do with those events. They...Prestige has nothing to do with those events. They organize their races very well, and setting up a race in a different location every year is not a simple task to pull off. It definitely is on the expensive side, and it's not for everyone, but I am not sure if they're vastly overpriced for their business model either (it's probably a lot easier for a local outfit to set up a race ... but then again, this can go all sorts of ways:). As far as adventure vacations (which to me this is) go, it's super fun. Definitely beats a cruise, or a four seasons hotel resort. They've gone out of their way to get you to places you don't normally see (like restricted areas in Vietnam or Namibia).<br />Relative to what I could spend on house/car/... I have yet to find an athletic event that's not worth the money to me ... (except Badwater maybe :P). <br />If, however, I gave myself a tighter budget, I would probably do other things. Also depends on what other events are being held in that area of course.<br /><br />Steve, the poncho should be ~1oz - almost nothing. Weather seems like it might be like I had it in RTP Vietnam, a bit cooler probably. Let's just say it was pretty miserable at times, and I was extremely glad I had brought a fairly heavy primaloft coat ... not for when you run. For when you don't. There probably will be fires where you can warm up though. But don't underestimate cold and damp. Brrrrrr.<br />Beatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-12112155868143346662013-07-19T20:57:00.865-06:002013-07-19T20:57:00.865-06:00I guess RacingThePlanet must be very prestigious e...I guess RacingThePlanet must be very prestigious events? I browsed their web pages and found out how much they charge (US $3,700!!). That plus airfare and not much support (no food and 10 people per tent) just seems ridiculous to me, having done a very well supported 9-day MTB race in India ($700) and the 7-day BCBR with FANTASTIC support and some of the best food I had for $2700 (probably will never be able to afford a race this expensive again). Again, don't know much about ultra-running stage races but MTB races in Europe tend to be lot cheaper than USA/Canada (~ 500 euros /week). Iceland must be worth it even if you go hungry for a week, best luck!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03059137901941493531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-82423590819724138912013-07-19T19:54:56.907-06:002013-07-19T19:54:56.907-06:00Like you, I aspire to longer fastpacking trips, bu...Like you, I aspire to longer fastpacking trips, but I've also never attempted any serious running with a 25-pound pack. I intended to train more specifically for RTP Iceland, but little injuries (shin and knee) got in the way of trying many loaded runs. I expect, at least effort-wise, that it will be similar to running with a sled. With sleds (25 to 35 pounds) on packed snow, it's definitely a case of diminishing returns. I can run, but 5 mph demands near-anaerobic effort, and even a 4 mph shuffle takes considerably more energy than a 3 mph walk. <br /><br />With the little running I tried in the later stages of RTP Nepal, I noticed that the pack didn't slow me down too much on the descents (the poles helped) and probably didn't make much difference in my overall speed on the climbs. But running flatter terrain, which I think Iceland will have more of, will be an interesting experiment. I expect I'll return home with impressions similar to my sled running — I can run, but the effort is too draining and hard on my body to be sustainable over long miles, or even more than a few miles. <br /><br />I also agree it's a bit strange that RTP doesn't shuttle gear given how much support they already provide. I guess it's part of the game. I enjoy the challenge, and think it will be a useful learning experience for future self-supported efforts and even sled-running.Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-84167587594955388612013-07-19T19:14:59.947-06:002013-07-19T19:14:59.947-06:00Jill, I've done some fast backpacking, but onl...Jill, I've done some fast backpacking, but only for two days or so. I made one trip into the South San Juans in Colorado for two overnights with a 10-pound pack, food, bag, tarp. I was able to run with that kit. This trip I can't really see running though. I've run stage races before: Costa Rica Coastal Challenge three times, and I'm running it again next year. They schlep your gear (all of it!) from camp to camp. I didn't really know what I was signing up for with this race and when I found out I had to carry just about everything I almost backed out. I've since decided that this will be a good means to assess how to really do a lightweight backpacking trip for 6 days, so it's useful. I'm into light! In my future I see long distance trips on the Continental Divide Trail or AT, probably on foot, but the possibility of Mtn Bike also is there. Read your excellent account of your record breaking trip. I'm just a novice on the mtn bike--broke my collarbone last year on the Leadville 100 mtn bike race.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389458818431848912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-76052438700676984382013-07-19T14:32:37.426-06:002013-07-19T14:32:37.426-06:00Hmm, mashed potato packets. Good idea.
Steve — aw...Hmm, mashed potato packets. Good idea.<br /><br />Steve — awesome! I didn't balk at most of that extra required gear, because most of it would have ended up in my pack anyway (I admittedly don't see much use for a poncho but they are light and a good emergency later.) <br /><br />I tend to be super paranoid and overpack for wet and cool weather because the most painful bouts of hypothermia I've had all involved rain and temperatures in the 30s and 40s. Seriously — even for all of my Alaska winter trips, it's these conditions that make me the most nervous. Two times on the Tour Divide was so painfully cold that I was frightened, and this involved temperatures that may have even been in the low 50s. So I most definitely pack my insecurities when I expect wet weather. <br /><br />Extra gloves are nice to have because you will get the first pair wet. Hopefully you can dry them out before the second pair is soaked, too. <br /><br />I'll see you there! Let me know if you want to chat about gear. I'd be curious to hear what you're bringing. Jill Homerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983065990450931943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-54401629950645564512013-07-19T14:18:20.408-06:002013-07-19T14:18:20.408-06:00I'll see you there! I have been struggling wit...I'll see you there! I have been struggling with what to pack. Your list helps. I was balking at the new requirements for an extra poncho on top of a rain coat! And the extra set of gloves. Seems like overkill to me. It's summer! It can't be that bad. Your post makes me reconsider a little, though. Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389458818431848912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-75834118431572989122013-07-19T10:28:51.962-06:002013-07-19T10:28:51.962-06:00had a somewhat similar issue with my Achilles tend...had a somewhat similar issue with my Achilles tendon. I tore it a bit without realizing it while playing basketball and the next day I couldn't walk. I babied it for almost six months (it didn't bother riding a bike or xc skiing and I don't run much it wasn't an issue) until I went in for a physical. The Dr. said to give it more work, to stretch it out as the scar tissue from the tear was really the issue. Now, to more I use it and the less I baby it, the better it is. I was nervous I'd do more damage than good, but not the case all the time.mark scotchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834584120583645550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-80057479234950134172013-07-19T08:03:41.812-06:002013-07-19T08:03:41.812-06:00Have you tried flavored mashed potato packets? The...Have you tried flavored mashed potato packets? They're light and surprisingly filling for the calories/weight (though not super nutritious). 4 cheese is my fav, you can also slightly over-hydrate them for a creamy 'soup'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-7233206050177143432013-07-18T20:04:45.155-06:002013-07-18T20:04:45.155-06:00Iceland sounds awesome! I'm not big into Moun...Iceland sounds awesome! I'm not big into Mountain House but the mac and cheese was surprisingly edible. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01212228308225991239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18615538.post-53466671706888741322013-07-18T19:32:37.653-06:002013-07-18T19:32:37.653-06:00Jill, I am envious! I have been dreaming about vis...Jill, I am envious! I have been dreaming about visiting Iceland lately . . . if I could make Alaska happen, I can make a visit to Iceland happen. I look forward to your pictures and descriptions!Karen Travelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04241208305942623471noreply@blogger.com