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999 views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  The_Professor 
#1 ·
Hello all. I am new to the forum and new to ultras. I have run a few marathons, a few half ironmans, and ran 35 miles on my 35th birthday. But in a few months I will be taking the plunge and doing my first ultramarathon race. I was hoping to get some general ultra advice along with some specific advice about the race.<br><br>
I will be doing the Crooms 50 miler in Florida. As if I wasn't worried about the distance alone, I am especially worried about the terrain. I do 90% of my running on pavement although the last month I have been driving to a trail to do 8-10 mile runs on Sundays.<br><br>
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Especially related to how tough are the trails are Crooms?<br><br>
Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Adam (The Professor) is from FLA and may have some advice on that particular race. I think as long as you have "some" trail running under your belt, you should be ok. I do most of my running on the treadmill and roads and have never really had much problem on trail races, as long as I get some running on similar terrain.<br><br>
Otherwise, welcome to our little forum <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">
 
#3 ·
Welcome, FleaB<br>
Good Luck at Crooms.<br>
If its a wet course, just make sure your shoes drain well instead of retaining water.<br>
Shoes that claim to keep wet out are usually to be leary of.<br>
I like to slather my feet with a water resistant salve before long runs.
 
#4 ·
Welcome Flea. I have run Croom many times. All runnable trail. The first 5 mile loop has probably 2.5 miles of ankle deep sugar sand and is mostly double track. The 15 mile loop has rolling single track trails,a few roots, with a little sugar sand on the back half of the 15 mile loop and some nice rolling hills. All runnable. I will be there this year again. Hope to meet you out there! Don't hesitate to ask any more questions. What part of Florida are you from?
 
#5 ·
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>merigayle</strong> <a href="/forum/post/1815675"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Adam (The Professor) is from FLA and may have some advice on that particular race. I think as long as you have "some" trail running under your belt, you should be ok. I do most of my running on the treadmill and roads and have never really had much problem on trail races, as long as I get some running on similar terrain.<br><br>
Otherwise, welcome to our little forum <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"></div>
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That guy is a total douche and shouldn't be trusted <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">.<br><br>
If you want to shoot me a PM I will be happy to tell you anything you need to know about the course (I train there nearly every weekend and I have done that race a number of times AND I'll be there this year working registration).<br><br>
Welcome to KR!!
 
#6 ·
Thanks to everyone for the advice thus far. I am close to central FLA on the Daytona side.<br><br>
Professor and others,<br>
I am trying to determine if I can just wear my regular training shoes or should invest in some trail shoes? Also at the start I know it could be a little dark but I don't need a headlight or anything do I?<br><br><br>
This sugar sand FLRUNNUTS is talking about does not make me feel confident. That stuff eats up your energy but I guess I will have to man up.
 
#7 ·
You should probably wear a headlamp/or have a flashlight. You can just drop it at your drop site at the start finish line. You will be able to stash your cooler/clothes/any essentials along the trail at the start finish area. Take your time in the sugar sand as you will still have 47 miles to go after you get thru it <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">
 
#8 ·
You can wear road shoes (and many people do) but I would recommend trail shoes becasue the ample roots that plague the course can really start to wear on you towards the end of 50 miles. You don't need anything heavy or bulky, but you might want something that offers a bit more protection than a regular road shoe.<br><br>
You will definitely want a headlamp for the beginning as you will be running at least 5 miles in the dark (the heavy canopy in the beginning doesn't let much moon light in either) and a lot of that running will be on roots and ruts. You will come through the start/finish at mile 5 and you can stash your headlamp/flashlight in your dropbag then.
 
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