My First Run on Snow!

[yellow]

It snowed a little bit last night, a couple of inches at the most. It stayed pretty cold today, so when I went out to hit the trail after work much of it was still covered with snow. OK, it was muddy snow because all the junior XC racers were out running ahead of me and there were happy dogs and their people running about but still...it was snow. To top it off it was a beautiful evening and all the fresh snow on the mountains was a treat for the eyes. And the temp was perfect; low 40s, I think.

The snow was much more stable than I thought it would be. Didn't slip once. But then it's pretty dry snow around these parts. I was thinking before that I'd need YakTracks to run this winter but now I'm thinking not.

Can't wait for more snow so I can do it again!

Oh, did I say ?

[colby]

I didn't have problems on the dry snow, but when it does melt-freeze-melt-freeze and started to ice over, it makes for a little more slippery surface. Also, I run in residential areas, so when people use their snowblowers or shovels it leaves behind a fine thin layer of ice The trails aren't so bad, they tend to plow them once or twice if it's really bad, then let it go. It's easiest to run on the fresh, untracked stuff.

Fresh snow on top of ice was a little dangerous, you have to be good about landing and taking off from the middle of your feet or you'll slip when the snow packs down on top of the ice. The most scary places were residential street crossings, where cars would melt the snow/ice, then it would freeze into puddles. I walked across a lot of streets last winter.

I was afraid even if I bought yaktracks that I'd ruin them, because we didn't have quite enough snow/ice consistently enough to make it worth it. If the winter had gotten worse and the snow/ice stuck around, I probably would have, and only used them on choice days. Running in snow/ice sure makes you aware of your foot position, balance, and posture! I felt a little limited in my speed, but I always enjoyed running in winter.

So far, up here, we've had a couple of cold/frosty mornings (I've had to wear a long sleeved shirt twice so far), around 30 degrees. Clear or foggy and chilly. 40s and a little cloudy is perfect, after that it starts getting down to layer territory and wardrobe debates... cold enough for long sleeves? Cold enough for compression suit? Cold enough for gloves?

Happy running!

[Shiraz]

Yellow,
I also got to run Wed with our first snow in Idaho. I didn't get to run last winter because of a injury and went crazy. I am finally back and loving it.

Hey, I was in your neck of the woods in SLC for a child abuse conference and was able to enjoy the trails above Primary Childrens Hospital both Thursday and Friday evening. I was staying at the Guest House Hotel. It is beautiful this time of year.

[chickwhorips]

i love running in the snow. its so nice. though to help keep safe while your out there on slippery conditions these shoe cleats help out big time!

[yellow]

Hey, I was in your neck of the woods in SLC for a child abuse conference and was able to enjoy the trails above Primary Childrens Hospital both Thursday and Friday evening. I was staying at the Guest House Hotel. It is beautiful this time of year.

Oh, I love running up there. I assume you went south? If you went north you went up Dry Creek before hitting the "shoreline" of the ancient lake.

Heck I might have seen you Thursday except that I was on the Red Butte portion, which is a spur off of the main trail (that's where the snow was; the Red Butte trail is up higher than the BST). And then on Friday I ran the portion closer to my house up above downtown with my puppy dog.

If you come through again, let me know!

[Bikingmomof3]

Yellow,
I am so looking forward to being able to run on snow.

[RoadRaven]

Running on snow... it sounds kinda romantic (not in a "love" way, but in an idealistic way, if that makes sense).

I have only rarely walked on snow, or scraped enough off the ground to make a dirty snowball.

To run in it must be amazing.

Has anyone run as it is snowing? I have only been somewhere as it snowed (not sleeted) twice - and the air was so quiet and still - very eery - to walk or run in it must be quite different to doing the same in other elements...?