Supporting running in the metro Richmond area
James River Scramble Thoughts
Anyone else disapointed with the evening strat time for the Scramble this year? 83 degrees at the start time just about killed me! I had decided not to run because of the late start time, but a younger brother was running this as his first 10K so I decided to run with him. I would do it again if a family member was running it with me, but I think that is the only way I would run it again. It was also disapointing to have no powerade or gatorade at the water stops in that kind of heat. Lesson learned: even though I don't like to use my fuel belt in shorter races, I would use it if I ran another hot weather race, even if it was a short race.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Hupp on -
Just to clear any confusion that may exist regarding Chronotrack D-tags (shoe tags) and B-tags (bib tags). Yes, they are encoded to match the assigned bib number. However, they are also encoded with a timer code and an event code that allows the timer to filter out tags from other events or timers such that these random tags will not create timing errors for anyone at a particular event. A good race timer will always apply these filters.
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Permalink Reply by Dana on
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Great job to all the runners! I was a volunteer, and from that perspective enjoyed the evening time. Yes, the time did bring a lot of shady characters to the river, smokers (blech) and congestion. Having multiple volunteers at certain sections, along with race t-shirts for volunteers would help. More volunteers along the course would help with the signage issue...a few runners did get off course crossing the rocks, but I think that's part of the fun. Majority of participants seemed to appreciate the stairs to exit the dryway...especially since the ladder is not stable with one half of it free.
Having an evening race thrown into our racing calendar every once in awhile is great! This provides variety. No one can predict the weather. The bike race started at 4 pm...wonder if there were any issues with that start time.
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Permalink Reply by Michael A. Pulley on
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I ran an 8 mile race at 8 AM that morning and it was no cooler than it was for the Scramble. If it had been a little cooler like it was Sunday evening everyone would be talking about what a great idea it was to start later. None of us can control the weather so I think the later start was a great thing overall!
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Ryan on -
For all you studs that think that the 5pm start for this race is good and that if you can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen........PLEASE READ the post by Running Goddess. That is the reason why this race needs some minor but important changes. If just one person lands in the hospital for heat related issues.....that's one person too many.
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Permalink Reply by Pete on -
You always should adjust your race pace for the heat, particularly when you have not trained enough in hot weather to aclimate to the heat. Look to advice from Jeff Galloway on racing in the heat.
Adjusting Race Pace for Heat: Estimated temperature at finish - Slower than goal pace - 8 min mile becomes...
55-60 degrees - 1% - 8:05
60-65 degrees - 3% - 8:15
65-70 degrees - 5% - 8:25
70-75 degrees - 7% - 8:35
75-80 degrees - 12% - 8:58
80-85 degrees - 20% - 9:35
Above 85 degrees - Forget it... run for fun
* Note: This chart is based upon my own experience in the heat and talking to other runners. It has no scientific verification.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Ryan on
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It makes sense to me. I used the last category: run for fun as my race pace. I knew one hour before the race that I had to play it safe. But the reality is there are many runners entered in these races with various race experience, abilities, and physical conditions. You can display all the charts, graphs and advice that you want and it all makes sense BUT when there is such a diverse field of runners, the race planners MUST plan accordingly OR you are asking for trouble. Is it too much to ask to err on the side of safety??? I heard from spectators that the medical tents were kept very busy for this race. Plus we have/had one person stay multiple nights in the hospital. I doubt that he read Jeff Galloway's advice on racing in the heat. The safety of runners should always be the first priority in planning and execution of a race.
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Permalink Reply by menace on -
back in the dark ages, while attending a state rrca meeting in va beach, the issue of racing in the heat and humidity of summer was addressed. charlie george of the tidewater striders told us that the web bulb index measured the combination of heat and humidity. and that there was a determined dangerous level or reading. the wet bulb index is currently used by high school athletic trainers to determine if it is safe to conduct summer workouts. if the reading was in the determined danger zone, the racers would be instructed that black flag conditions existed. it was also stated that even under black flag conditions, it would be ok to drop the distance down to 5k provided there was one water stop and volunteers were instructed to pull potentially impaired runners. the race directors at the chicago marathon had to deal with that issue in recent years, making the decision to stop the racers during the course of the race due to record breaking temps.
so, if we give due consideration to both sides, the race directors and the racers, how would the runners feel, had the race been cut back to 5k or cancelled, last saturday nite? or had the volunteers pull you from the race because you appeared distressed? the responsiblity lies with both the race directors and the racers. just trying to offer some perspective.
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Permalink Reply by Ken Hodge on -
Writing as the trouble-maker who started this post I am surprised at the number of responses that have been generated. They have been all over the spectrum on this topic. I would still run this race again if a friend or family member wanted me to run with them, but would probably not run it otherwise if it were still in the afternoon and hot like it was. I think it's ok to have this race in the afternoon, but I have run the "Scramble" every year since it started and I was just bummed out that it had changed to PM. I do think, as Menace suggested in his posting, that in that kind of heat someone along the course should be there to pull runners out if they are having problems, as we know at least one individual did. Thanks to all who responded! Run on!
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