January 2012 Running - Snow, stay away!

[Crankin]

I want snow.

[Selkie]

As long as you don't live in the metro DC area, I hope you get your snow! :-) Post your snow running tips -- how to keep your footing, do you wear normal running shoes, etc?

Back in the olden days, I ran in snow and enjoyed it. One of my all-time favorite long runs was through a State Park campground--I was alone--and it was snowing. There must have been an inch on the road but deeper off the pavement. It was one of the most peaceful moments of my life.

Moved back to the city, so no more easy access to that Park. Now I worry about slipping on an icy patch and breaking or straining something.

Ice is evil.

[pll]

My first post in the running section... I intend to keep a more regular running routine this year. This morning I ran 5 miles. It was an average Chicagoland-style winter day: 24 degrees (wind chill was 8), winds of 25 to 35 mph. Luckily, I was facing the wind on the way out.

I like running in snow, but I do not care for ice on sidewalks and the puddles that form eventually at the edge of every block. Invariably, I will get soggy shoes at least once or twice every winter.

[SadieKate]

See, Selkie, there are several of us all over the nation that want snow!

As far as running tips on snow and ice -- I try to stay on packed trails (not pavement) and just wear trail shoes. Depending on conditions , as in ice or unpacked snow, I use Microspikes or Atlas running snowshoes (now THAT's hard work). While I have YakTrax which sorta work on pavement, I just generally stay away if the pavement is icy. Trails are a lot safer.

I also use Saucony trail shows which have a tight water-resistant upper and a heavenly loop for gaiters.

Most of what I know about running comes from yellow (though it turns out that she'll run 50 miles in a day but won't run at all in snowshoes cuz it's too hard! Wuss.

[pll]

The one trail I have nearby is next to the lake and it freezes -- it's a lot less dangerous to run on the sidewalks... {I think I still have a piece of a winter tight embedded in my left knee after flying into some rocks years ago. That hurt.} The other problem is that it is not well lit. During the winter, if I run before or after work, at least half my run is in darkness.

[SadieKate]

Hmm, in my neck o' the woods, Microspikes on icy trails where the teeth can dig in are far safer than pavement. And sidewalks scare the **** out of me. There are so many more edges and cracks to trip on. I don't know anyone around here who would run on sidewalks in the dark. Matter of fact, we had a long conversation with several people at the running shop about this just on Saturday. Lots of sidewalk horror stories, even daytime versions.

[pll]

Perhaps I have been lucky and have not fallen (yet). The area where I live is a downtown area and is well lit, while there are no lights by the trail. The sidewalks are generally clean (with notable exceptions), particularly along the university area. Where I need to be more cautious is crossing streets, as slushy puddles are typical on the edge of the sidewalk.