Last Sunday morning I was running on the trail when
big, fat snowflakes fell silently from the sky. They kissed my cheeks, stinging
them slightly. My legs became damp where the snow melted against the heat of my
skin, but they soon warmed. The nearby trees, some who were still hanging onto
the last of their leaves, were snuggled under a white blanket, cozy and content
as if to sleep soundly the rest of the winter. My pace slowed as the snow
formed a veil in front of me, barring visibility and as the snow accumulated on
the trail it became difficult to tell where the path started and where it
ended.
There’s something magical about running in a snowstorm:
It’s like being in a snow globe after it’s been vigorously shaken and the world
becomes a winter wonderland. It has a way of bringing out my inner child.
The next day however, after many people had walked
through the snow, packing it together into hard, uneven surfaces with slippery
patches, it was difficult to run on. The city of Toronto was no longer clearing
away the snow on sidewalks and apparently home owners decided they weren’t
going to either. At first I was stumbling a bit, a little unsure of my
footing, and I went slowly to gauge each step. There was no ‘zoning’ out like
there usually is and I kept my strides short and quick, keeping my feet under
my body and close to the ground to avoid slipping and falling. It was a good
test of balance, strength and co-ordination. I got some reprieve by running on
the road when traffic wasn`t too bad. By the end of the run, muscles I
don’t usually use were tired and sore.
Tips for
Running in the Snow:
Know Your
Snow There
are many different types of snow: powder, wet, crud, crust, slush and ice are
the main ones. When running, not all of
these will react the same. The best type of snow is the wet, heavy snow and the
worst is slush and ice. It’s important
to know the type of snow you are running on because it will affect how you handle yourself.
Footwear If snow
is fresh and powdery, chances are you can wear your normal trail or road shoe.
If the snow is packed, icy or slushy, you can wear YakTrax or Kahtoola spikes
over any kind of running shoe.
Forget
about Pace Running in snow requires greater effort and is a lot more challenging
than running on roads or trails. Slow down, glide, skate or even walk when
going through icy sections to prevent falling. Forget about pace and run by effort instead.
Alter
Gait Running
in snow
conditions that are slippery will affect your gait. Taking long, normal
strides in the snow means your foot will be landing in front of your body,
and that makes it harder to stabilize and easier to slip. Instead, take
shorter, quicker steps, keeping your feet under your center of
gravity and low to the ground. This helps prevent slipping, or straining a
muscle.
Weekly
Running Recap
I ran a total of 60.18 km this week, bringing my
total to 218.66 km. I`ve now passed the halfway point and have 197.34 km left.
It was another interesting week regarding the
weather. It started out like winter, but ended like spring. That would be great
if winter was really that short. I ran 18 km in the snow on Sunday and when I
got back I had my shower and put my pajamas back on and stayed in them the rest
of the day. It was nice not to have any running around to do and we spent a
cozy day at home. With Toronto being on
lockdown most stores are closed anyway. Cilla spent a good couple of hours
building her gingerbread house and then we watched a Christmas movie together.
By Tuesday the snow had completely melted and I was
able to safely run in the trail. It gets pretty icy down there in the valley
and I didn’t want to be slipping and sliding everywhere. Every day I get to run
down there is a gift because once winter hits, the trails aren’t maintained and
it’s almost impossible to run safely.
Cilla befriended a girl in her virtual school and
the teacher arranged for them to have a virtual playdate after school on Thursday.
It was really cute to watch them talk with each other, and sharing their
favourite things. I think the other
little girl had emptied the entire contents of her bedroom in front of the
computer. At one point they each had
their jewellery boxes out and were showing each other their favourite
necklaces, bracelets and rings. Afterwards Cilla made a card for her and showed
it to her the next day. Virtual school can be tough on the kids, but it’s nice
to see the adults in their lives trying to make their lives as fun and normal
as possible.
That night I developed a terrible stomach bug and I didn’t sleep much, but I still managed to get up in the
morning and run 8 kilometres, albeit slowly. I desperately wanted to have a nap
that afternoon, but I needed to stay awake to help Cilla with her school work
and then teach piano virtually to my students. Luckily I slept soundly that
night and Trish let me sleep in the next morning, bringing me coffee in bed.
Every week my mileage is increasing and as it looks
right now, I may be able to finish one week early. It all depends whether I can
keep it up for the next three weeks.
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