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Running on snow (Read 978 times)

joescott


    Actually, the yaktrax with coils can be dangerous on ice around here. The round coils can't dig into the ice, AND they elevate your shoe above the ice, so you lose whatever traction you used to have.

     

    +1.  I like my Yaktrax, but they are worse than without on ice.

    - Joe

    We are fragile creatures on collision with our judgment day.

      On rare occasion I've used my yaktrax in town, been tooling along, then look down and notice one is missing - never noticed the change in traction between the two feet. Sad  (usually it's not too far back) 

       

      That reminds me how I found somebody's lost Yaktrax this week while I was running.  I kept it, since one of my Yaktrax broke on me.  And I believe it's a lot easier to replace in like that instead of go to the store and purchase them again. I've never lost a Yaktrax, but they'll probably break again when I use them.  The rubber net they're made out of separated and broke on my last Yaktrax.

      DoppleBock


        Ran on trails at the state park today - 10 inches of fresh show on top of 12 inches from a week ago.  I tried Yaktraxs for the 1st time - One was not fitting very nice and took it off with 30 minutes to go - Nice Blister on my big toe.

         

        12 miles took 2:20 - On those same trail in summer that would 1:45-1:50

         

        One of the toughest, most beautiful and enjoyable runs of the year.

        Long dead ... But my stench lingers !

         

         

        Nakedbabytoes


        levitation specialist

          Your form should be different running on ice/snow than clear terrain. Your body will adjust but give it time and take it slow. My normal 8mm have become 9:15mm since we got our first snow/ice storm the week before Christmas. It is forecasted to be cold here until, I swear, the end of time, so I switched my Garmin to show me heart rate instead of pace. I certainly have the same effort I had before, just much slower going. And honestly, when potential injury & safety is at stake, I'll take a slower pace anyday if it means that in 2 weeks, I'll still be running. It does take quite a bit longer, which sucks in it's own way. On Thursday evenings, I run my mid range run( this week it was 9 miles) and I nearly missed my kids' bedtime stories this week. So I am sortof at my time limit, which means I can't progress my mid range run like I should until the weather changes and melts the trail snow/ice so I can run faster.

          But again, if I prevent injury by being safe & slow, then so be it.

           

          i have YakTrax but only wear them when the trails are covered and it isn't just ice. I have off road terrain shoes I use right now.

          mab411


          Proboscis Colossus

            I went out for my first snow run day before yesterday...I was very excited about it, and my favorite away-from-home route (River Trail in Little Rock) was beautiful!

             

            It was fun, but I think I've had my fill for awhile.  Thing was, it was above freezing and had been for awhile, so much of the trail was either large, icy puddles of water or packed (read: slippery) slush.  Spent much of the run walking, trying desperately to keep from a) slipping and injuring myself or b) getting my feet wet.  Successfully prevented a) but not b).

             

            I fully expected to see a few other crazy people out there, but nope.  Well, there were a couple of gals when I got back to the car getting ready to go out, but there was at least one stretch I went over that had no footprints at all.  Just me and the geese.

            "God guides us on our journey, but careful with those feet." - David Lee Roth, of all people

            Fruchtenstein


              I know it's wrong, but I'm glad you all have got the same problems, sorry Smile. Indeed, almost all my runs this year were on asphalt, since I was preparing for the first marathon. If trail runs help running on snow, I'll definitely include them in the next year's fall program.

               

              Never tried Yaktrax, but I know that spikes like these don't help. I mean, they do their job well, but the legs still ache. What helps is running less and running slower. Thanks for the advice!

              Fruchtenstein


                Today I managed to run 12.5km at 5:30 min/km without any problems. I only had to change the gait a bit from forefoot strike to midfoot and to run with feet almost relaxed. I think the feeling was similar to the "pushing" style as described by Nobby415.

                 

                Happy New Year! Smile

                  has anyone tried the newer model called "Yaktrak run" .   these have anatomical right/left & have removable spikes.   or are these the ones with removable coils that has already been mentioned?  someone mentioned some yaktraks they purchased from Costco & broke after 3 runs ($30)  .  I would guess the Yaktrak models at $40  would be much more durable?

                   

                  fortunately don't have to worry much about snow here near Seattle.  will get considerably more than Seattle itself but still not near as much as most parts of the country.  ice, yes (like this am). if a bit of snow just usually use trailrunners.  I'm more concerned about ice. our snow has a higher density of water so the real problem is when we get decent amount & then it melts abit & then freezes.  that causes huge problems around here.  thats when I head to gym & tm

                  Gator eye


                    small sheet metal screws do the same thing as yaktrax but only cost .11 cents apiece

                     

                    5 in the toe and 5 in the heel will give good traction in hard pack snow and ice yet won't bother you if you end up doing a couple miles on dry pavement, just a little click clack noise as you run.

                      I have to Runs.  They were a Christmas gift.  Did 11 miles in them on loose snow and long, long stretches of icy sidewalks with no issue.

                       

                      The carbide studs in the front were fantastic on the ice.  I've only wore them ~3 times, but they worked well.

                       

                      has anyone tried the newer model called "Yaktrak run" .   these have anatomical right/left & have removable spikes.   or are these the ones with removable coils that has already been mentioned?  someone mentioned some yaktraks they purchased from Costco & broke after 3 runs ($30)  .  I would guess the Yaktrak models at $40  would be much more durable?

                       

                      fortunately don't have to worry much about snow here near Seattle.  will get considerably more than Seattle itself but still not near as much as most parts of the country.  ice, yes (like this am). if a bit of snow just usually use trailrunners.  I'm more concerned about ice. our snow has a higher density of water so the real problem is when we get decent amount & then it melts abit & then freezes.  that causes huge problems around here.  thats when I head to gym & tm

                      "When a person trains once, nothing happens. When a person forces himself to do a thing a hundred or a thousand times, then he certainly has developed in more ways than physical. Is it raining? That doesn't matter. Am I tired? That doesn't matter, either. Then willpower will be no problem." 
                      Emil Zatopek

                        thanks for the review on Yaktrax Run.  not sure if I would need them enough to be cost effective however.

                        ilanarama


                        Pace Prophet

                          I've made screwshoes before, but for the last couple of years I haven't bothered, and I haven't had any problems.  I run in the winter on a paved rec path which is plowed, although unless it's been several sunny days since the last snowfall the surface is usually packed snow, possibly with some loose snow on top.  If it's actually snowing or on the day after a snowfall, I wear my trail shoes, which have more textured soles (and also are set up for gaiters, which I use if there's a lot of snow) but other than that, I just wear my regular running shoes.

                           

                          I do need to be aware of my form, keeping my footstrike well under me, to avoid slipping on the inevitable ice patches.  I also tend to choose my line to avoid the iciest parts - I check over my shoulder to make sure I'm not moving into the path of a faster runner or a bike!  But I rarely fall or even slide.

                           

                          I live in Colorado, btw, where in the winter it's usually either sunny or snowing.

                          xor


                            I tend to fall in snow (or on technical trails or... who am I kidding, on the sidewalk) when I check over my shoulder for faster runners, bikes, dogs, bad guys, bears, etc.

                             

                            What I need is one of those rearview mirrors like some bike folk wear.

                             

                            DirtyGraceFlint


                            The Crap Whisperer

                              What I need is one of those rearview mirrors like some bike folk wear.

                               

                              ...and a helmet

                              Being the best tiny spec that I can be!

                              ilanarama


                              Pace Prophet

                                Heh, SRL, I used to, but after working out on the dynadisk for peroneal tendon strengthening, my balance has improved markedly.  I can even walk and chew gum now.  AT THE SAME TIME.

                                 

                                I actually once had one of those rearview mirror thingies that fit on eyeglasses, but it made me dizzy to try to focus on the tiny image while biking - can't imagine what it would be like bouncing around while I ran.

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