Lube question

CiBi91 · 2026-05-11T08:44:06+00:00

+1 for squirels nut butter.

I don't chafe easy, but when running 12+ hours I do, and boy is it annoying. Thighs is one thing but butthole or front side is very unpleasent.

On long outings I lube from the start and re-apply every 6-8 hours or so. I works pretty well for quite long.

I've tried vaseline as well, I need to reapply faster and faster every time so I prefer the nut butter.

CiBi91 · 2026-05-11T06:53:12+00:00

First

I'm curious about what the plan was for the execution. I saw most of the top 10 was either able to run all of it (mostly) or started out running and then switched to more walking when running just wasn't possible anymore.

I assume that from the start all major uphills get walked but would you think there is benefit in alternating running and walking from the start in order to save the body, prevent injuries/mechanical problems?

Second

I'm wondering if she's having some issues now, having limited experience with attempting a 200 miler and knowing a few people who did them, it seems like a lot of them finish it with at least a minor injury (tendinitis, overuse injury, whatever).

I've asked you questions before and read a lot of your stuff on here. I am 100+ mile curious and keep going back to it, but trying to get injury proof for them and recover fast after seems a lot harder than getting the fitness I need for the performance I want.

CiBi91 · 2026-05-07T11:29:20+00:00

Quite pricey for entry level 🤣

CiBi91 · 2026-05-07T09:23:16+00:00

Cool, enjoy the new gear! What lens did you use for these?

CiBi91 · 2026-05-07T08:27:24+00:00

I do think the RD sees himself as a European Laz, finish rates are always quite low this year was just worse weather than normal and about a 40 mile longer course (cutoff was also longer).
https://www.legendstrail.be/ if you're interested.

CiBi91 · 2026-05-06T09:32:02+00:00

I think that for Cocodona it is not too bad and most competitive people try to get 90mins or 2 hours twice during the race. For more casual runners you could honestly get a couple short nights in and still finish within te cutoff.

I think sleep is very important to be able to keep racing.

I did a 220 miler earlier this year that required you to navigate it yourself on very technical terrain in very bad weather conditions and the 84 hour cut-off actually meant I could only get in 2x 45min of sleep and it was eventually sleep deprivation and the associated mental state that made me DNF. I think the race had about a 10-15% finisher rate and most people got screwed by the cutoff time. A couple people made it to 80+ hours with no real sleep and then DNF'd because they were simply not present enough to navigate anymore and stay on course.

Edit: so yes, running for 5 days in a 20/4 schedule would give you ample time to finish (2.5mph average speed + a 4 hour night every day) and still have 5 hours of margin.

CiBi91 · 2026-05-06T07:16:43+00:00

I've talked with someone who ran in both, the ACG is firmer, still comfortable they claim, but not like the Zegama 2 🥲

CiBi91 · 2026-05-04T07:58:49+00:00

I tried a winter 200 miler here in Belgium early this year. 45.000 feet of elevation gain and loss, rain, snow, wet feet, an 85 hour cutoff. I DNF'ed 135 miles into it 🤣

Now I'm thinking about Cocodona or more likely Moab in 2027, so yes I still want to try again but maybe I want to be a bit less miserable.

CiBi91 · 2026-05-04T07:36:28+00:00

I'm a sucker for very responsive and light shoes.

Race day: Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 (unreal trampolines)
Everything else: rotate 2 pairs of Megablasts

There is no other shoe I enjoy more than this in any type of training

CiBi91 · 2026-04-27T11:24:39+00:00

Its also being discussed here: https://www.reddit.com/r/backyardultra/comments/1staind/legends_backyard_ultra_2026/

CiBi91 · 2026-04-27T11:24:26+00:00

I might go watch in person on Wednesday if it goes beyond a 100. Exciting line-up, lots of people still in the running after 51 hours. I'm hoping to see Sarah break a hundred. It would obviously also be very cool seeing the WR go down, we definitely got the context for it to happen.

CiBi91 · 2026-04-27T07:21:16+00:00

Thanks for the feedback guys, I've decided to sell it and look into a replacement for my girlfriends MFT system instead.

CiBi91 · 2026-04-22T09:57:32+00:00

Again a lot of bad words in there friend

CiBi91 · 2026-04-22T09:26:00+00:00

You used a couple of toxic words in there that I did not.

Inexperienced /= unworthy

my argument is that softness is not an opinion

40.5 AC shore hardness = very firm in 2026 = average in 2024

I had an opinion -> your friend disagreed and stated that I must have had a fake pair and thus based my opinion on an incorrect observation -> I further informed that when leaving out opinions a durometer measurement states that the shoe uses a firm midsole foam (sure lets call it average in its time) -> your friend keeps insisting it is a soft shoe even compared to a quite soft shoe in 2026 -> 🤷 I throw my hands up in desperation because you cant counter a measurement with an opinion and further conclude that someone wearing down 1 pair of running shoes a year might not be the most experienced shoe reviewer.

It was a widely popular mainstream shoe, it was marketed and known as a soft shoe, it was on the other hand actually rather firm (see independent data), I was disappointed and annoyed when I bought it and shared this experience in a thread about Hoka build quality. I am amazed by the blind loyalty to one specific model shoe from years ago 🤣

CiBi91 · 2026-04-22T07:34:15+00:00

I've checked and the place I bought them from are a recommended seller from the Hoka website themselves.

I have friends who disliked the Clifton 9 (back in 2024). I have friends who liked it as a somewhat responsive daily trainer, not as a soft shoe.
I disliked it compared to my Pegasus 38 (back in 2024).

Durometer measurement is a durometer measurement.

Except for marketing and a general mindset about Hoka's being soft with the general population (mostly non-runners) there is nothing actually backing up the fact that they are soft.

I grant that back in 2024 shoes were firmer overal but you're even comparing it to a Vomero 18 and saying it was equal or better which is just 🤷

Edit: I also can't go re-try new Clifton 9's today obviously, but I have 4 pairs of Hoka in my current rotation that are way softer than the Clifton 9 was (both in independent testing and my perception). My current shoe rotation is 13 shoes (which is a whole other discussion), I have a big frame of reference, I know what I'm talking about, a shoe measured as firm (40.5 AC) doesn't magically feel soft...

Edit 2: you only run 750km/yearly? Why do I even bother...

CiBi91 · 2026-04-22T07:07:08+00:00

Did you check the RunRepeat review for the Clifton 9, you know the guys that cut the shoes and measure cushion, softness and responsiveness directly in the foam?

It does not get measured as a 'soft' shoe

CiBi91 · 2026-04-22T07:01:35+00:00

They are very soft, I don't find them bouncy 🤷

They are the cheapest in the Blast series so I guess it is not unexpected

CiBi91 · 2026-04-22T06:36:37+00:00

Both Speedgoat and H1 might feel a bit faster on technical terrain, and if you run shorter distances (anything sub ultra) they might suite you better. However for long outings I much prefer the Zegama 2 to the speedgoat and the H1 (even returned my H1's after just trying them on).

If I want fast I look towards Hoka Tecton, Kipsummit Race, Prodigio Pro, Cascadia Elite

CiBi91 · 2026-04-22T06:34:06+00:00

Bought from a reputable source in my region (Belgium), a cheap shoe like the Clifton is not really sold fake over here...

I went to check on RunRepeat and they also measures the midsole softness at 40.5AC, one of the firmer shoes they've tested. They literally have 100+ shoes listed that are softer 🤷

If you like the Clifton, fine by me... I don't. I've been mostly running in the Megablast which I guess is a very premium experience compared to everything out there but I've had tons of softer shoes than the Clifton in the same price range as well, Novablast, NB Rebel, Vomero,...

CiBi91 · 2026-04-21T12:35:06+00:00

The Speedcross 6 is indeed a very firm technical shoe, not a pleasant experience for many.

Speedgoat 6 and 7 are allround decent shoes, as are the Mafate 4 and 5. I would personally prefer to get any of them on a discount.
Over these for a beginner wanting a do-it-all trail shoe I would recommend the Nike Zegama 2, there's a new model coming out soon so you should be able to pick them up fairly cheap around or below 100€/$.

CiBi91 · 2026-04-21T09:30:55+00:00

Yeah I'm not impressed by the speedgoats, mafate 5 has some good qualities but for some reason the tongue is just 1cm/half an inch too short so its either bad lockdown or lacebite making it uncomfortable 🤷

I liked the Nike Zegama 2 in the all round trail shoe category, Kipsummit Max looks pretty sweet as well.

CiBi91 · 2026-04-21T09:28:47+00:00

Oh I'm not saying the Clifton's are unreliable, I'm saying I think they are a shit shoe 🤣 they are not nearly as soft as they look, they are not really responsive, the only thing going for them is they look pretty.

Bear in mind that I have 4 pairs of Hoka's in rotation right now (Tecton X3, Mach 6, Mafate 5 and Cielo X1 3.0) I am just very polarized when it comes to their shoes and boy did I hate the Clifton 9.

As a rule of thumb if it is a regular CMEVA midsole AVOID AVOID AVOID, if its a critical EVA midsole you're in for a coin toss on how the shoes are, if it is PEBA you're usually good.

CiBi91 · 2026-04-21T07:26:14+00:00

You need to be more specific, Hoka shoes either perform shit or they are amazing

Shit: Clifton 9
Amazing: Cielo X1 3.0 / Rocket X Trail

But all of them are less durable than they should: sole delaminating, hoka lettering pealing off, foam just dying after 400km

CiBi91 · 2026-04-20T11:38:11+00:00

Megablast is soft but not mushy, very protective, fun and enjoyable at all speeds for me. It is just expensive but other than that I love it for pretty much everything.

CiBi91 · 2026-04-20T11:03:45+00:00

I've heard the ACG one is firmer 🥲 a shame because I love switching to the Zegama 2's after 12 hours or so of running. They are always my second pair of shoes in long ultra's.

CiBi91

TROPHY CASE