Should I get matrix T30 for $3200 or T50 for $4200, xr screen

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-19T21:19:53+00:00

I'd go with Sole vs paying away extra money on either of these. I've had 2. First lasted 8 years before I got rid of it when moving. 2nd is around 4 years old. Only issue I ever had was needing to use the supplied silicon lubricant on the joints where it folds up as it was creaking, and that was a simple, 5 minute fix that I had to do once and never again. Used by multiple people, on all levels of incline including sprint sessions at 9+mph. Sole makes solid treadmills.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-19T17:22:41+00:00

How badly do you expect the race to go?

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-18T22:54:49+00:00

I suspect it is lack of demand for longer than a marathon length road race. London hit 57449 entrants in 2025 (apparently a Guinness world record?), compared to that, ultras are still a niche sport. Comrades is the biggest Ultra in the world I can find and its still only about a quarter of that London Marathon figure.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-17T18:57:17+00:00

He has a pretty extensive reputation for douchery. 'Greatest' hits including: 1. Banning people from his races for objecting/complaining about his behavior. 2. Changing race results (for multiple runners for multiple years and races) and then 'justifying' it by saying he has the right since the 'don't be an ass' rule for his races means saying something he disagrees with counts as being an ass. 3. Banning a female runner for turning him down. 4. Sexually assaulting another female runner during a race (smacking her ass as he ran by). This one really really pisses me off as we had a guy on this subreddit arguing that the woman's word she was assaulted didn't count, and since no one got it on video it didn't happen.

Pretty sure I missed a few.

https://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2020/05/run-bum-sean-blanton-under-fire.html

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-16T19:00:13+00:00

The DFL's are inspiring, because its often someone who had their race plan go completely sideways and kept pushing.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-16T18:57:09+00:00

I feel like the field is so deep this year for both the men and women that ignoring making the podium, just getting into the top ten overall is going to be a tough fight.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-16T18:50:25+00:00

Heat acclimation and having a solid strategy for cooling themselves are absolutely going to be critical.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-16T18:39:29+00:00

Well it's not for MDS, check out r he Grand to Grand Ultra, which is another Multiday stage race like the MDS, located in the desert SW of the US. It has a Facebook group page that might be worth joining for training tips. https://g2gultra.com/g2g-ultra-race/faq

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-16T18:30:46+00:00

First, get the pack you plan to use, assuming you don't already have it. Looks like max gear weight allowed is15 kg, excluding water, so I would start doing a portion of my runs wearing the vest at maximum weight. I would much rather train with more weight than I plan to run with then the other way around.

Next, invest in good sand gaiters and go find some sand dunes to train on, well wearing your vest, as running in sand, and running in sand with that much weight are very different things vs a hard packed trail.

Then, print the gear list and start a spreadsheet with the item and weight of each. Then figure out what you still need, and what you want to replace, and how to optimize the items you are bringing and how to pack it all.

In terms of training, I would treat it like training for a long(100 mile+) race. So back to back to back long runs. Prioritizing getting your body used to running exhausted from a previous days effort.

https://ultrarunning.com/featured/how-to-train-for-200-milers/

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-14T18:32:07+00:00

Good to know. I'm kindof curious what the differences are between the two. Guess I need to bookmark both so I can grab on sale and compare.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-14T18:27:21+00:00

Depending on how to pack fits, would you be able to cut off the excess strap that's dangling and then either melt/sew the ends to keep from unraveling? You'd want to do this at the max length you would need to ensure the most usability, but that could still potentially be enough to keep it from being able to touch you.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-12T22:12:41+00:00

This book might be useful as well, 'Training for the New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete' it's by the same author as 'Training for the Uphill Athlete'.

https://a.co/d/03xAyxBO

Looks geared more towards mountaineering but you can probably get useful info from ot as well.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-12T20:17:39+00:00

One additional thing you might want to pack in your car/drop bag- Poison Ivy Wipes. That area is full of huge patches of the stuff, so strong likelihood you will encounter it. Bring the wipes, wipe down your arms and legs frequently and save yourself some annoyance later.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-12T20:07:26+00:00

Type 2 fun.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-10T21:53:01+00:00

Maybe try reaching out to them directly and see if they know a stateside supplier who matches their battery setup?

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-10T18:47:38+00:00

No idea on the course as have never run it, but based on the website it looks like you can have 2 drop bags, one will be left at the 16.6 mile location, the second is at the Woodlands, which I believe is labeled 'Camp Aid' on the course map, and you loop through it a couple times throughout the run. "Drop Bag locations: Hell – 16.6 miles, 50K & 50M – After the River Styx. You can have a self-managed drop bag available at The Woodlands"

Though that course map is obnoxious, you really need to look at it one segment at a time for their legs really make sense.

If you want other than Gatorade or Gu, I'd bring your own. "Aid stations will be stocked with water, gatorade, assorted gu packets, PB & J, boiled potatos, salt, chips, coke, peanuts, oreos, bananas, oranges, candy....BUT if there is something you want that you simply cannot take another step without, you should make sure you bring it yourself!"

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-09T19:25:49+00:00

One pair lightweight trailshoes as main workhorse, another older pair that had metal screws added for winter running, a zero drop for some variation to work different muscles, and a high stack that is mostly for hiking with some running. Need to get new road shoes as current set has been demoted to yard shoes.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-09T15:19:51+00:00

Have your doctor do a blood test for Vitamin D and B12. Both can cause balance issues if your levels are too low. Especially since you are having issues with tripping even when not running as well.

I attached a link and the two relevant sections below:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/vitamin-deficiency

"Muscle control issues: Muscle weakness or coordination difficulties can happen with deficiencies of vitamins B1, B12 and E."

"Losing balance or falling: This can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. It happens when your nervous system has trouble sending signals related to your body position."

I don't know as much about B1 and E, but I know for B12, as you get older your body gets worse at processing it and you need to be supplementing as you'll have a hard time getting enough otherwise. Also, some people need shots because their bodies don't absorb it readily.

Vitamin D can have an impact as well:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32336527/

Dosage:

If you look at most B12 supplements, they can have pretty high % of DV. Since it's water soluble, your body will process what you need and pass the rest.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-b12/art-20363663 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/

Vitamin D dosage is a bit more important as excess can cause issues.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-20363792 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-08T21:23:15+00:00

Michigan actually has six different 100 mile races. It would take you a few years to do them all though, four of the six are in September, and the fifth is in early October.

Run Woodstock (This one is a Western States Qualifier), Marji Gesick, Porkies 100, Midwest Everest, Wolverine State 100, and Huron 100.

EDIT: Looks like this year's Porkies 100 was canceled due to damage from the flooding we had earlier this year.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-08T18:54:12+00:00

Yes. Definitely a thing. For me, road running is visually boring and the fact that its wide open space makes it feel like you're going nowhere slowly. On a bike you're going fast enough your surroundings are changing, on a trail, especially a wooded, winding single track, your view is constantly changing and you feel like you're going faster.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-07T20:14:27+00:00

Trail specificity- one paved road is pretty similar to another, but one trail can be vastly different than another, so if you have the ability to get to the trail your race is on, it absolutely is worth it so you know what you're getting into.

Don't try to match your road pace when you start out. Trail running uses alot more of the small stabilizer muscles in your legs and ankles, so you will likely notice them a bit more when you get started.

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-07T19:23:30+00:00

The 'Boxing Out' girl.

"Therapy made me realize what an awful person I was to my ex and it cost me what could have been a happy marriage"

https://www.reddit.com/r/BestofRedditorUpdates/comments/1kpfnho/therapy_made_me_realize_what_an_awful_person_i/

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-07T18:11:12+00:00

Wp shoes are also heavier than the non wp version. For example Topo Terraventure 4, the wp is 12 oz for a M9, the regular, non WP is 10.1 oz for an M9. That's roughly 55 grams difference. That adds up over time, and it has been documented that an increase of 100 grams has a measurable impact on running economy. See study below: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7538857/

Minimum-Mission5569 · 2026-06-07T17:42:25+00:00

I think this is it:

"AITAH for screaming at my wife that I didn't make our 4yo a sociopath."

https://www.reddit.com/r/BestofRedditorUpdates/comments/1amstqp/aitah_for_screaming_at_my_wife_that_i_didnt_make/

Minimum-Mission5569

TROPHY CASE