5th Annual Winter Challenge

So you're saying most people participating in the winter challenge don't run barefoot in the snow? o_O
Well, YOW added the 'run on snow' category, so we'll find out this year, but as far as I know, only Yvonne is able to run consistently on/in snow, although I'm not sure how far she goes each time. I think Barefoot Bob is also able to in limited amounts, and maybe a few others, but consistently and for normal distances, I think it's pretty hard for most of us.

Maybe with enough time for adaptation:

You should definitely give it a try though. Maybe you're someone who can do it. Just take back-up footwear with you and put it on as soon as your toes are no longer red and flush with blood. I've run in slushy conditions above freezing for several miles, but my feet did get pretty numb--a deep numbness I could almost feel in my metatarsals. No pain afterwards though, and my feet remained rosy throughout. Just a matter of finding out what your tolerances are, and how much you resent having to run in shoes!

Oh, and watch out for salt or chemicals!
 
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So you're saying most people participating in the winter challenge don't run barefoot in the snow? o_O

I'd say my experience is about the same as Lee's. On dry pavement I'm good barefoot down to about mid-20's(F). I do actually enjoy running on packed snow if the air temp is above freezing.
I'll run on snow below freezing for short distances (~ 2 miles), but I also had a case of frost nip several years ago when I did 3 miles at about 19F. Not something I care to repeat.
Here are some photos of me snow-running from a couple of years ago - in each of the first two the air temp was in the mid 20's and I did about 2 miles (twenty minutes) each time. The third shot is at the finish of a 5K "Snowflake Run" in December 2010. The course was about 80% ice and snow-covered; the air temp was 32F during the whole race - my finish time was 32:43. I run that race every year and I'm looking forward to doing it again this year (that's just the only year I had a picture from). I'll post pictures from this year if I get any.

Snow-run2.jpg

Snow-run1.jpg

Snow-run3.jpg
 
I'd say my experience is about the same as Lee's. On dry pavement I'm good barefoot down to about mid-20's(F). I do actually enjoy running on packed snow if the air temp is above freezing.
I'll run on snow below freezing for short distances (~ 2 miles), but I also had a case of frost nip several years ago when I did 3 miles at about 19F. Not something I care to repeat.
Here are some photos of me snow-running from a couple of years ago - in each of the first two the air temp was in the mid 20's and I did about 2 miles (twenty minutes) each time. The third shot is at the finish of a 5K "Snowflake Run" in December 2010. The course was about 80% ice and snow-covered; the air temp was 32F during the whole race - my finish time was 32:43. I run that race every year and I'm looking forward to doing it again this year (that's just the only year I had a picture from). I'll post pictures from this year if I get any.

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I would say your tolerances are better than mine on snow. It's funny that I seem to be able to go lower in dry conditions though, seems counterintuitive.
I don't know if I've ever tried compacted snow, the snow I got frostnip in was freshly fallen, but less than an inch. The air temp was around 21 or 22F if I remember correctly. I also stupidly continued the run with shoes and no socks for another 2-3 miles. Maybe if I had socks as well and went straight home I would've fared better.

Anyway, they've just declared a snow emergency here. I have to go pick up the kids early . . .
 
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I also agree with Lee. I'm also good to -15C to -20C in dry conditions for distances up to about 5k. I also have gotten frost bite by running in fresh snow at -8C. The fresh snow melts on your feet and gets them wet, once that has happened your in trouble. Also running on frozen roads and ice presents dangers, it's very easy to cut your feet on ice and frozen ruts when feet are on the numb side, it can be as sharp as glass. Please be sensible and use caution when trying winter like running conditions, most of us who have pushed the envelope have had frostbite a time or two. :nurse::coldfeet:
 
Okay, I've put my name in the sheet and then checked through my RA log to find all the runs I've done that qualify since October 1st. Guess it was a good thing I did that one long run that one day, over 16 miles total, 15.09 of them barefoot. The toughest thing about the run that day was I forgot gloves and my hands just about froze during the first 10 miles. Great run though, the longest distance I've covered yet barefoot.
 
I also agree with Lee. I'm also good to -15C to -20C in dry conditions for distances up to about 5k. I also have gotten frost bite by running in fresh snow at -8C. The fresh snow melts on your feet and gets them wet, once that has happened your in trouble. Also running on frozen roads and ice presents dangers, it's very easy to cut your feet on ice and frozen ruts when feet are on the numb side, it can be as sharp as glass. Please be sensible and use caution when trying winter like running conditions, most of us who have pushed the envelope have had frostbite a time or two. :nurse::coldfeet:
I cut my feet pretty deep on ice once, so I totally get what you mean.

Thankfully, I asked around here before doing anything stupid. I'll give a 1 mile run on snow a shot eventually, though. :)
 
Several things I do to minimize the risks:

I do most, if not all of my snow running in a state park, which has miles of paved trails. The park is well-used during the winter for ice fishing and other activities, and it's an ecological reserve - so they keep the roads and trails well-plowed but never use salt. All of the pictures I posted above were taken at the park.
I can't stress enough how important it is to stay away from salted roads. The snow-salt mixture can be much colder than the air temperature, and will freeze your feet rapidly.

If it's below freezing and snowy, I never run too far from a place where I can retreat to if I start to feel that I'm pushing the limit. Typically I park my car and run a one mile loop (half-mile out and back) so I'm never more than about 5 minutes from my car. If my feet start to feel numb or start to lose their pink color, I IMMEDIATELY retreat to my car to warm up. Even a five minute delay can result in frostbite if it's cold enough.

For races in the snow, I wear flip-flops at the starting line to keep my feet off the snow while waiting for the starting gun. At the gun I just take them off and throw them to the side of the road.

As others have said, it is do-able, but you really need to be careful and find your own limits.
Bragging rights aren't worth more than your toes! ;) :coldfeet:
 
Well, YOW added the 'run on snow' category, so we'll find out this year, but as far as I know, only Yvonne is able to run consistently on/in snow, although I'm not sure how far she goes each time. I think Barefoot Bob is also able to in limited amounts, and maybe a few others, but consistently and for normal distances, I think it's pretty hard for most of us.

Actually Barefoot Bob hates the cold and snow, that is why he moved to California. I remember reading somewhere where he said he can't do snow, even the pioneers have weaknesses.
 
Sorry I have been absent from this thread. Too much shod running lately and it has been the warmest fall on record in my area.

Nice job on the mileage everyone. I just checked the spreadsheet and wow, that a lot of miles being recorded. I've got some catching up to do.

As for snow running, I don't do it. Can't stand the stabbing pain up into the calves. Becoming quite a wimp lately.
 
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Actually Barefoot Bob hates the cold and snow, that is why he moved to California. I remember reading somewhere where he said he can't do snow, even the pioneers have weaknesses.
Hey BG, how's it going?

I was talking about Barefoot Bob from Winterpeg, minus the Ken, of tutu fame.

Southern California is a barefooter's paradise, no doubt but a motorist's hell. I racked up something like 60 miles in Corona last winter.

Very nice.

Still, we just got our first snowfall yesterday, and, as always, I'm really enjoying it. It's January and February that eat at the soul. At least we have NFL playoffs in January.

I wonder if there's anyone who can really 'do' snow. Seems like for most people, it's a matter of counting the minutes or kilometers until the feet can't take it anymore.
 
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Several things I do to minimize the risks:

I do most, if not all of my snow running in a state park, which has miles of paved trails. The park is well-used during the winter for ice fishing and other activities, and it's an ecological reserve - so they keep the roads and trails well-plowed but never use salt. All of the pictures I posted above were taken at the park.
I can't stress enough how important it is to stay away from salted roads. The snow-salt mixture can be much colder than the air temperature, and will freeze your feet rapidly.

If it's below freezing and snowy, I never run too far from a place where I can retreat to if I start to feel that I'm pushing the limit. Typically I park my car and run a one mile loop (half-mile out and back) so I'm never more than about 5 minutes from my car. If my feet start to feel numb or start to lose their pink color, I IMMEDIATELY retreat to my car to warm up. Even a five minute delay can result in frostbite if it's cold enough.

For races in the snow, I wear flip-flops at the starting line to keep my feet off the snow while waiting for the starting gun. At the gun I just take them off and throw them to the side of the road.

As others have said, it is do-able, but you really need to be careful and find your own limits.
Bragging rights aren't worth more than your toes! ;) :coldfeet:
Consider this : I will be running in sub freezing temps for the next 6 months. The average winter temp will be around -20C and it can go as low as -40C with windchill. So I guess I won't get a lot of barefoot miles this winter. So, I guess I will only log miles in between seasons for the winter challenge :p and maybe a few miles on snow when the weather is nice.
 
Hey BG, how's it going?

I was talking about Barefoot Bob from Winterpeg, minus the Ken, of tutu fame.

Southern California is a barefooter's paradise, no doubt but a motorist's hell. I racked up something like 60 miles in Corona last winter.

Very nice.

Still, we just got our first snowfall yesterday, and, as always, I'm really enjoying it. It's January and February that eat at the soul. At least we have NFL playoffs in January.

I wonder if there's anyone who can really 'do' snow. Seems like for most people, it's a matter of counting the minutes or kilometers until the feet can't take it anymore.


Oops my bad! ha! I'm doing well! All this snow talk makes me sad:) Man I hate winter, but the barefoot challenge makes it fun to get through. So far here in New England it's been very mild for November.
 
So you're saying most people participating in the winter challenge don't run barefoot in the snow? o_O

I guess I'd better wait until I get my sockwas then!

I've never participated in the winter challenge before this year... I'm definitely not very cold tolerant and the first couple years could barely hit 40F barefoot so not much sense in even participating. But with the extra temperature range this year I can definitely get some above freezing miles!

I've only run on snow a couple times. And those times were early spring and well above freezing and very short stretches. I'm going to try to push the limit a little this winter, but my feet haven't been able to tolerate below freezing in the past. In fact I got a little frost nip (I guess) a few degrees above freezing once. What makes this worse, the last two winters my feet have had a tough time adapting to shoes. I've tried every pair of minimalist shoes in my arsenal (a lot) and didn't come out with an acceptable one until last winter. My problem is I get cramps under my arch when I run in shoes. Apparently I am doing something very different while wearing shoes. So far the only shoes that I can wear without this problem happening are my SoftStar Dash (at least it doesn't happen as bad). I think they are also the most minimal of all I have tried, so this is probably related. Thinking about trying those Sockwas though, but might just stick with the Dash. Which reminds me I need to get out the waterproofing wax for them.
 
I'm joining the challenge, not to compete, but to help motivate myself out the door for the next few months. I've signed up for my first two half marathons and it would be beyond demoralizing to not finish. Chances are good that the one in December will be cold. I've never used a spreadsheet so hope I don't screw it up. My phone app keeps all the info for me, including windchill so it's just a matter of me entering it right, but no guarantees about that.
 
Morning run, 32 F, freezing rain and sleet on the ground. Strong winds, wind chill factor 14 F. Barefoot 5 miles. After 1 mile of warming up feet stayed comfy for the rest of the run.

Running on sleet 01.jpg
 
I'm joining the challenge, not to compete, but to help motivate myself out the door for the next few months. I've signed up for my first two half marathons and it would be beyond demoralizing to not finish. Chances are good that the one in December will be cold. I've never used a spreadsheet so hope I don't screw it up. My phone app keeps all the info for me, including windchill so it's just a matter of me entering it right, but no guarantees about that.
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! And good luck! With the expanded temperature range, someone from Texas could really figure in this thing.
 
Was the first sub-freezing run for me of the winter today... weatherbug said 30ºF but feels like 23º, weather.com had a feel like 20º either way it was pretty cold for me! Today was a day off from running and I didn't want to push it with back to back runs right now, and with the colder than what I can usually stand temps I decided to just go for a really short jaunt of 1/2 mile. Was close to the house the whole time so felt like it was no big deal, and my feet did get really cold but it was just 6 minutes and I was back inside. Almost feels like I'm cheating, because I highly doubt I could actually maintain a run at those temps. But maybe stimulating the feet with colder temps just a little at a time might help them adapt.
 
I had my coldest run in a while today. There was even some snow that stuck to grass last night. Windy, brrr. But 3.22 of the 5 miles were barefoot and I felt no problems, except for a short stretch of road where some farm equipment had dragged a bunch of mud and gravel onto the road. Grrrr.
 
the cold wave made it to my part of the world. so, that calls for 3.25mi in 18F/18mph wind with significant stretches of shallow snow. i haven't seen too much discussion of strategies this year, so here is my low-value contribution:

1) prewarm the feet in a heated sand bath
2) tights under bluejeans
3) t-shirt, sweatshirt, hooded fleece, then coat
4) hat (which can then go under the hood when you hit the wind)
5) use a spoon to spread petroleum jelly on the tops of your toes, front, and outside edges of your feet.
6) leather moccasins tucked in the back of your belt in case things get ridiculous (fortunately, not the case today)

happy running! snow: ice cream for the feet...