Running in the snow - ideas?

I live in an area where snow is a rarity... or it was until this year! It's snowed twice!

You'd think as a native to eastern Canada, I'd know how to run in snow, but I don't. As a youth, if I wanted to run, I went to the gym a block away. If I needed exercise in University, wading through hip-deep snow to go grocery shopping usually did it for me.

But now I run and I need some ideas.

I went out this evening and just ran straight down the middle of the street, facing into traffic and jogging in place between parked cars when cars needed the street.

As a result, I jogged 25 minutes, was wiped from playing Survivor with traffic, and never really raised my heartrate to anything interesting except when I nearly fell into a truck. I'm not sure this is the most effective use of my energy - particularly since I am trying to get the 5km run in less than 30 minutes.

If I did a full km today, I'd drop dead from shock. Most of my run was spent tippy toe-ing over black ice.

Does anyone have any recommendations for running in snow? This snow won't last forever, but it's really taking a toll on my speed, distance and skill.

Well bless my soul. Apparently I ran 2.75km.

I didn't really mean I'd drop dead! *eek*

I still need some ideas though. :-)

Sadly I'm not sure I can help much - I'm a big wimp and when there is snow or ice out I run on my treadmill.

But is there a running store in your area?  Perhaps you can ask them, see if they have any shoe recommendation or anything you can clip on to give you more grip?  I've no idea really, but I imagine they would know.  Or if no one here give you a good answer you can check the forums at coolrunning.com or pose the question over there, since there are so many seasoned runners and I know there are a lot who do in fact run outside always regardless of what the weather is.

Big congrats on your 2.75km, way farther than I've run in the snow!  :)

Oo. Good plan. Maybe I could go buy some ice crampons. (ROFL... It would look funnier than HECK, but I bet it would work!)

I'll give the running stores a call tomorrow. The challenge is that Victoria notoriously has one snowfall each year that lasts maaaaaybe overnight to melt. This year, however, we've had two major dumps that have lasted a week or more each time. No one here seems to know how to handle this.

Thanks for the kudos, too. :-D

Try slipping on some Yaktrax.  My trail running leader wore them over her shoes when we were running on some pretty icy trails, and didn't slip once.  She said they really improved her traction.  Since we're having an uncharacteristically cold winter (this is Vancouver -- it's just supposed to rain here!), I'm going to pick a pair up for myself this week. 

i live in alaska.  when it comes to running in the snow, i don't, however i have heard a few people mention the Yaktrax as well, so maybe those work.

Yaktrax! I'm going to check those out!

Thanks!

cmill

\thats what you need. yaktrax.  also a GREAT workout for the snow would be to snowshoe.  You might be able to find a used par on ebay or something (they are like 200$ new).  Those suckers WORK YOU OUT

htide

Black ice only happens on pavement (obviously). When I run in the snow, I run off the road. No slipping, and no traffic. Plus, a much MUCH better workout!

when I lived in Edmonton, the running store would put three rivets in our shoes - one at the toe and two near the edges under the ball of the foot (for free).  These gave sufficient traction in the 'close to freezing / exta slippery' conditions that we are having at the moment on the west coast.  I think I saw something in a running magazine advertising shoes that came with something like this, but I can't remember which shoes.

Personally, I'm not running outside until the traction is better, although it seems I'm making up for it by shovelling snow (!!!)

Well finally, the sidewalks are clear. I went out for a stroll to Mountain Equipment Co-Op to go look at the Yaktrax and about halfway there, decided I probably didn't need them if the sidewalks were now clear. LOL

As it turns out, MEC has them for $35, so I can get them if we get another dump of snow. (It couldn't happen here... naw... Victoria never gets snow...)

Actually, I'm going to make the assumption that I should grab a pair soon because everything for winter-wear is selling off the shelves everywhere in the city. Sleds, snow pants and thick gloves are harder to find than hen's teeth! (We could start a rich black market here if anyone wants to import from Ontario.)

Thank you for the totally terrific ideas. I'm sold on the Yaktrax!

The problem here has been that it gets just warm enough in the day to melt the top layer of snow, so the sidewalks are trecherous. because the remaining snow is so slick, snow shoes would act like uncontrollable skis. Running straight down the middle of the street has been the safest option... except for that whole getting hit by a car issue...

I've never seen weather like this. Back in Halifax, this was sort of reminiscent of that March-April transition, except that you got knee-deep slush puddles every time you step off the curb.