do you run trails in winter?

This is something I've been thinking about, as the summer season comes to a close. My Dad was talking to an ultra runner who had done the Squaw Peak 50, who basically ignores the snow and runs anyway! Basically post-holing up various trails ... doesn't even use shoeshoes. Seems the die-hards do that frequently. I confess I'm not there yet, but I definitely don't mind crossing some snowfields in early season, if it means getting outside sooner.

So tell me -- do you grudgingly stick to the roads? Or snowshoe? Ski? Or drive to desert areas? (the latter would be interesting here in Utah)

In south Texas we have to wait until winter before we can even begin serious trail running. Most Texas ultras are between October and March.

I have done the Huff 50K in northern Indiana at the end of December. It doesn't need snowshoes but the footing can be tough with the snow and ice.

Ah yes, it depends on the climate ... of course. I didn't mean to assume everyone was headed into winter slow-down season, but a large group of us certainly are (co, ut, ca, etc).

So is the Huff 50K largely snow-covered, then? Or just patches?

I don't hate snow -- I love skiing -- I've just done minimal running in winter/snow conditions. Actually, I did a run in a local mountain range here in Utah in late season last year, and it had a fresh 1 to 4 inch covering, and it was like running on a cushion ... easy on the knees!

Snowfields? Seasons? What are those?

Sincerely,
A Native South Texan

The Huff can have some tough spots with ice or snow but for the mostpart it is a very easy and runnable course. You never know what the weather will hold. It could be in the 40's with no snow or you may have a few inches. Once a few people blaze the course it will be worn down to the dirt.

There's no better running surface than a few inches of new snow. The problem is that with fluctuating temps, trails in New England will often end up like the ski trails, icy. Running on ice is tough. Not only is it dangerous but it's as hard as cement.

Even with the limited daylight and sketchy conditions, I love to run in winter. On those occasions when we get some nice light snow, it makes it all seem worthwhile.

I actually got some running snowshoes last year, because I got tired of running in the muck that the trails turn into once the rain starts.

I live about 30 minutes away from some fine shoeing places, and have considered checking out the 10k that happens near Tahoe in late winter. Considered spectating, that is. I'm nowhere near ready for a snowshoe race! It would be more like March of the Penguins ;-)

Running snowshoes are the answer. :) Great fun and great workout. I'll xc ski some also. Roads are way to dangerous to run on in winter. Here's some info that may help you get started. It needs to get updated.
http://home.att.net/~akrunning/SSRunFAQ/index.html#top

CougarSnack, You need to do that race, not just watch it. Some people do their first snowshoe run in a race. Even more so than trail running, don't worry about pace.

Oh hiya, AKTrail! I didn't see this reply until now.. thanks for the link. I think the idea of the race initmidates me because I read about it first in TrailRunner Mag, and there were some pretty fast people doing it.

Of course, that's not any different than the trail races, so it's a lame argument. I guess the difference is that although I'm a slow runner, I at least can do it without looking like a complete idiot. Usually.

It's definitely on my radar screen, though. There's only so much running in the rain I can do before I get fed up with it and want to go someplace warmer or colder.

I live in the desert and we can get snow here in the winter time on any given. I think in my 21 years living here it has snowed two times, maybe three. But it's gone in day or two. So I don't do any training in snow but have ran a few Ultras with lots of snow. Hated every mile that I have ran in snow. Have a nagging knee problem since 1998 States run because of the snow. I DNF'ed that race. Wouldn't mind running in snow shoes some day. I live close to Bishop and Mommoth. Neve been a snow person to date.

Chris, I've had knee problems since high school, and always thought it was a congenital defect of some kind, since my Dad had the same problem. I tried skiing a couple of times, and that aggravated it so much that I mentally wrote winter sports off for the last 20 years. It wasn't until I went to a physical therapist that I found out it was ITB-related.

Not that I'm saying this is your problem. I was just surprised when I found out, because of all the descriptions I'd read about people with ITB, it never occurred to me that's what my problem was (meaning the congenital defect was located in the gray matter, not in my knee ;-)

CougarSnack, The diversity of styles of running is part of what makes ss running so much fun.;) Some people are really coordinated - ss or not. Many of our races here (if we have snow) tend to be small, so I can usually anticipate being the last one finished. It was neat when nationals were here a couple years ago - talking with people from all over the country, seeing all kinds of ss and adaptations. I just did the citizens' 10k (my first time to run 10k on ss, and my first 10k race), which only had 3 people in it. Since it was supposed to be a run/walk, I was anticipating a lot more runners in it. Talk about having to hold finish lines open for the last person ... But I'm still glad I did it. I learned a lot on a different course from what I normally run and learned a lot from others.

Chris, The late-season snow you get in ultras, I think, may be soft and rotten. (although it's been a while since I've been in mtns down that way) The fluffy stuff in mid-winter is a lot nicer to run on. I try to get out before the groomers do so I can play in the fresh snow.:)

That's very encouraging, AK. If for nothing else, it would make for a hilarious story. Will have to look it up to find out the specific date (can't remember when it is offhand), but I really think I'm gonna give it a whirl.

I have never ran in snow(deep snow) but I like running the trails in the cold winter. SOme of my favorite runs have been in the winter.

CougarSnack, I have recently been seeing a PT and my knees are 100 per cent better. Hopefull that I may run some more Ultras.

That's excellent news, Chris!! You show those knees who's boss >:-)

What's winter?,I'm in Austin,Tx. and it's 80 outside today with a cold front on the way,maybe.

Yeah, some people don't see a real winter I guess :-) Last week it got down to about 27 degrees for a low, and it looks like it'll happen again this week. The good thing is there hasn't been much snow yet, so I've still been able to get out on some great trail runs with just cold air and lots of leaves on the trails. Actually, the weather is pretty up-and-down -- last week before the cold front it was a balmy 60 degrees for one of my runs.