Snowshoe running tech question

[Chris Helwig]

With winter approaching I am thinking of doing some snowshoe running to keep up my running fitness in the very snowy weather.

I like the idea of having an outdoor training option for the big ass snowstorms where you can just get out there when everyone else is stuck inside. Also convenient because you don't need special trails for them like Cross Country skiing.

Seems easy enough to pick out the right type of snowshoe, does anyone now a place in London that sells them?

Now do you need special winter boots for them or just anytpe of winter boot will do? I have a pair of Nike winter boots that are half decent, but I am not sure if you need something special.

Graydon are you out there :)

[SIBO]

Hey Chris.... I was just going to use a couple of old tennis rackets and skate laces to tie them on.... Ill see you over at the school when the snow flies......
Sibo

[Chris Helwig]

haha, I saw you posted, and knew when I clicked on it it would be a wise cracker response :D I am going to call Novacks and see if they know anything.

[Graydon]

Hi Chris - Long time no post.

Snowshoe running is incredibly intense cross-training and is low impact. It helps when you have the weather and topography that we have, but I think you will find some great terrain around Fanshawe Lake or in the MTB trails at Boler. Komoka would be great too.

I had our XC team snowshoe running last winter and they all loved it. We are just getting around to ordering snowshoes for the new recruits. I have a write-up about a couple different options on our website:

www.nipissingu.ca/education/graydonr (http://www.nipissingu.ca/education/graydonr) --> click on the XC Team link.

There is also a PDF article there about some top Canadian MTB'ers who have used snowshoe running in the off-season.

We ordered from MEC, but I'm sure Novacks will carry one of the two brands (GV or Atlas) that make running-specific snowshoes. Other than that, I recommend a pair of gaiters to keep the snow out of your boots. While you can use running shoes with the running-specific models, a pair of mid-cut hiking boots are warmer and offer a bit of ankle support and are more rigid in the sole which keeps your foot more secure in the bindings.

On another note - congrats to everyone on a great season. Some impressive results by the team.

[Chris Helwig]

I have a pair of Nike Winter boots that are a hiking shoe height, so it sounds like those would work fine.

What are gaiters? I will check MEC to see if they have those.

The team had a great year, I was very pleased. With 18 juniors and cadets in DEVO next year things look great for next year.

[Chris Helwig]

Ordered some GV Cat Trail 8x25 snowshoes. I also ordered some MEC Gaiters. Free shipping for the order, should be here in 3-5 days, hopefully not just in time for the first snowstorm :eek:

[charlied]

Hey Chris,
Have you given those snowshoes a try yet? I've been looking at a set for a while now, I just can't decide between snowshoes or xc skis. The entry cost of snowshoeing seems nice, I just can't see running around in them for 2-4 hours. Nordic skiing seems like a nice way to get a couple of hours of low intensity cross training.

[Chris Helwig]

I am pretty sick right now, so haven't had a chance to try them out yet. I think you could go for a while if you paced your running and did some walking intersperesed, but I could be wrong.

[McRae]

Having done it a few times, the intensity is surprising. Even running relatively easy in snowshoes is a high Z3/Z4 activity, so if you want to last for more than a half-hour, then intervals are key.

Another option for a sustainable endurance-type workout is maintaining a fairly quick hiking pace--usually keeps me easily in Z2, Z3 on hills.
Andrew