Training Advice

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Permalink Reply by Woody Tinsley on March 30, 2009 at 4:13pm

I would not say the scramble is more social or for slower runners. The scramble involves climbing ladders, railroad ties, jumping from rock to rock, single path trails, climbing stairs, running on top of the floodwall., etc Many of the sections are just a few feet wide running through the woods. If you are not holding your pace you will be holding people up behind you. It's certainly not a event that you can run side by side and carry on a converstation with someone.

It's a blast and would highly recommend doing it however I would recommend starting near the back of the pack if you are a "slower" or novice runner. Your Scramble time will be much slower than a comparable road 10k. The Carytown run or even Ashland this weekend are very "social" events. Carytown is larger but you will never find better host and giveaways than in Ashland. Both would welcome beginner runners and walkers.

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Permalink Reply by Gary Hearn on March 30, 2009 at 4:22pm

As a novice runner, it may be too much to ask your body to run two 10K races in a 24 hour period. This is especially true given that the Scramble is a technical off road race that entails more than just putting one foot in front of another. If you do not have experience running on single track trails or rock hopping, you may want to try a shorter trail type race prior to committing to the Scramble to get a feel for what you will encounter.

Also, do not overlook the large number of 5K's in the area that will allow you to develop speed while working on your pacing. Racing is something that you build up to, be sure that you have proper training and mileage under your belt so you avoid injury.

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Permalink Reply by Maymont Amy on March 31, 2009 at 8:57am

Instead of doing the Scramble as a race this year, get a group of friends and go check out the course on your own. I did this with a friend who had actually run the scramble. It was fun doing it with no race pressure, but it made me realize that doing the race would be too much for me, given my very limited time doing trail runs. Trail running is different from running on the roads. Whenever there's something that requires climbing ladders I make my husband do it. And I was told I couldn't do that in the middle of the scramble!

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Permalink Reply by Randy Brown on March 31, 2009 at 9:06am

Thanks for the advice.
I think I will take a look at the course this weekend. I have a friend who knows it well.
I will just start out with the Carytown 10K and go from there.

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Permalink Reply by Myron Kemp on March 31, 2009 at 9:59am

In the past - after the race - the Scramble has been fairly social (people hanging out, sort of a festival atmosphere), that was in the past when it was associated with XTerra. It appears that Sportsbackers is trying to keep that same atmosphere with this edition as well.

That said, the course itsself is pretty challenging (more so than the average 10k). Typically folks who run a sub 40 10k on the roads will run a 42 or 43 minute scramble. I think it's fairly safe to take your average road time, and add 5 minutes to account for the nature of the course (obstacles, "traffic jams" on the single track, etc).

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing either, but like Gary said, being a beginning runner, you might want to choose to do one, and not do both. What I might suggest, is to go down and spectate at the scramble, enjoy the atmosphere, I think there are going to be bands on Browns island, and kayaking, and Mtn Biking etc. Then go and enjoy a nice run at the Cary Street 10k the next morning.

Have fun, and maybe next year come out and do the full weekend.

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Permalink Reply by Run Happy on March 31, 2009 at 10:32am

Randy;

The Scramble is a blast!! Loads of fun, but the course is not "fast" so when people say "for slower" runners, most likely they are only looking at the time and not taking into account the terrain. What can I say, flat road is always faster than rock hopping and stair climbing. If you are looking for "double" fun and think back to back 10Ks is a tad much, then check ou the Flithy 5K that Friday evening. I understand there will be obstacles and a mud pit. Besides the normal overall and age group awards there is also an award for the muddiest runner. Sounds pretty cool to me.

Run Happy

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Permalink Reply by Chris Harnish on March 31, 2009 at 6:31pm

If I had to choose, I'd go with the Scramble, because the roads are a lot more harsh on the body, and that course is really cool. I may venture into doing both as the Scramble is Saturday.

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Permalink Reply by Carl A. Lewis III on March 31, 2009 at 6:41pm

I'm a new runner also and I've just completed my first 10k. It was the Monument Ave. 10k, it was awesome! But I have to say, I was a little sore the next day. I'm not an expert or anything, but I think you might want to rest your body after one 10k. Being a beginner, you might not want to do two 10k's back to back in 24 hrs. You don't want to injury yourself and not be able to run for a while.

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Permalink Reply by Randy Brown on March 31, 2009 at 7:10pm

Thanks for all the advice!
I think I am going to do the Filthy 5K and the Carytown because I promised a friend I would do that with her.
Carl if you need a Sports Massage check out revitalizemassage.com. We are offering all Roadrunner members 1/2 off their first massage.

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Permalink Reply by Carl A. Lewis III on March 31, 2009 at 7:31pm

Thanks! I'll look into it

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Permalink Reply by Dana on March 31, 2009 at 9:51pm

I would have to say that as an inexperienced runner and especially inexperienced at trail running, I am so glad that I chose to do the Scramble last year, even though I was very reluctant to do so. It was a ton of fun and as some advised, I started at the back of my wave and I took each section for what it was and savored every moment of each part of the course. I did not care how long it took me, but I made a point to let faster runners pass me, as long as you are aware of your surroundings and heed trail running courtesy (when someone is behind you and says "on your left" you try and stay on the right to let them pass you), you can have a fun time and challenge yourself. I think that the real challenge as a new runner would be doing Carytown the next day, because of the nature of the Scramble you might be more sore than a typical 10K, but hey, you can always just walk Carytown and use it as a fun recovery workout. I am registered for both this year, no matter what, just plan to have fun.

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