Snow Running

JosephTree

Barefooters
Sep 7, 2010
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Near Valley Forge, PA
I ran the hardest 3 miles in my recent recollection yesterday. It was through between 8 and 9 inches of fresh snow with more coming down. The temp was running about 25F, so it wasn't too bad, though it was supposed to drop shortly. The wind was likely to pick up, too, so I thought I was squeaking in before teh weather really got bad. I just didn't realize until I was about halfway into my run just how much harder the snow made everything. By the time I got home I felt like I'd run a hard 10K...uphill...on trails.

On the positive side, I was delighted with how it felt to be out shooshing through the powder and snowflakes feel very interesting as they hit the back of my throat on my inhales. (I had to open my mouth to get enough air on the uphills.) Also, my tracks looked fabulous!
 
I ran in the same snow storm but sufficiently early that what we had on the ground in NYC was 3/4" of slush. Keeping my footing on the way to work was challenging. It was easier in the evening when there was 6 - 8" of snow down. I only slipped a couple of times on my way to the subway ;)
 
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1. No, not barefoot - I was in my VFF Spyridons. No socks.

2. Yes, one becomes very aware of form. Failure to lift feet sufficiently results in face plant. Still, I was almost exhausted by the time I got home, even though the run was very short by my standards.

3. Chris, we had hard rain the evening before so there were wide areas of slush below the fluffy snow. I got to the point where I saw them coming and tried to avoid the worst of them. Most I just sploshed through.
 
Oh brrrrr, would you do it again JT?
 
Chris, we had hard rain the evening before so there were wide areas of slush below the fluffy snow. I got to the point where I saw them coming and tried to avoid the worst of them. Most I just sploshed through.
We had the same rain the evening before with very gradually lowering temperatures. When I got home that evening I checked a car to see how much snow had come and there was about 2" of frozen slush under about 4" of light, fluffy snow. In the park the next morning there was only an inch of frozen slush but 7" of fresh snow. That was delightful.

This morning, on the other hand, a quarter mile of my run was less than pleasant. There was a light drizzle falling on already iced-up footpaths which had the effect of greasing an already slippery surface! Special :eek:
 
Yesterday my wife and I had the "tide's turning" conversation. We both had been hit hard by the certainty that spring really was ready to begin it's final approach with a landing imminent. It's a wonderful feeling to know for the first time in a long while that my wood pile is going to last through the cold weather.

As of today the snow's almost gone hereabouts and only the frozen layer of old slush and foot prints are left. I can get in a good run on mostly dry pavement at my favourite nearby national park. Hallelujah! Also, for everyone out there interested in SHAD fishing, the Delaware River opened up overnight, at least the stretches in my neighborhood north of Philly. Hallelujah x 2! They'll be migrating north any day now!
 
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Oh brrrrr, would you do it again JT?


Sure, but not soon, Deo Gracias!

It might be fun to have a "Snow Run" plan in place for next winter. Such an adventure would be even more fun with company.

I don't think I'll have many opportunities with that much snow, but 3 to 5 inches are fine and fun, even.

I ended up with a blister on my left second toe which might have been frostbite, I believe. I attribute it to hitting salt slush in the road as soon as I got out of my own driveway. (A few days with a plaster on it and it's as good as new.) The snow on the trail wasn't that bad.
 
Sure, but not soon, Deo Gracias!

It might be fun to have a "Snow Run" plan in place for next winter. Such an adventure would be even more fun with company.

I don't think I'll have many opportunities with that much snow, but 3 to 5 inches are fine and fun, even.

I ended up with a blister on my left second toe which might have been frostbite, I believe. I attribute it to hitting salt slush in the road as soon as I got out of my own driveway. (A few days with a plaster on it and it's as good as new.) The snow on the trail wasn't that bad.

You are brave and I wish I could do it.
About the blister, if your feet were wet that's probably the cause and not frostbite.