The Running Thread --2025

[AZMermaid]

Ran a turkey trot this morning. I did 60/30 vs my usual 30/30. I was hoping to be under 40 and went a 37.48! Strava had me at 37.13 for 3.12 so go figure. I’m doing another one Saturday and am debating sticking with 60/30 or doing 30/30 and seeing how it compares.

 

[5xdisneyfans]

Curious what everyone does to run in the snow when the sidewalks and roads are covered? When I mean covered it’s more than a thin layer of snow. It’s been years since I needed to run in this situation. I am nervous about falling because I can’t see the ground. I was hoping the roads would be at least cleared so I could go run on quieter roads but they are not yet. Any tips would be appreciated since it’s just the beginning of the snowy season.

 

[The Expert]

Curious what everyone does to run in the snow when the sidewalks and roads are covered? When I mean covered it’s more than a thin layer of snow. It’s been years since I needed to run in this situation. I am nervous about falling because I can’t see the ground. I was hoping the roads would be at least cleared so I could go run on quieter roads but they are not yet. Any tips would be appreciated since it’s just the beginning of the snowy season.

I run on the treadmill most of the time, but I do have these that slip on over my boots or shoes for walking the dog when it gets snowy and icy: https://www.rei.com/product/252499/yaktrax-walk-plus-traction-device

I'm hesitant to really run in anything but fluffy snow, as I'm just too nervous about slipping and tend to tense up.

 

[marty3d]

Curious what everyone does to run in the snow when the sidewalks and roads are covered? When I mean covered it’s more than a thin layer of snow. It’s been years since I needed to run in this situation. I am nervous about falling because I can’t see the ground. I was hoping the roads would be at least cleared so I could go run on quieter roads but they are not yet. Any tips would be appreciated since it’s just the beginning of the snowy season.

We have snow on the ground for 4 - 5 months a year and as long as it's not too cold, I prefer to run outside. Best advice I can give about running in the snow is first and foremost, you need proper shoes - there's a lot of good options out there. I'm currently using the Hoka Speedgoats and may pick up a pair of Nile Pegasus Trail on Black Friday sale. I would never run in my regular shoes. Too risky.

Also - slow down - run for effort and not pace.

 

[jmasgat]

Curious what everyone does to run in the snow when the sidewalks and roads are covered? When I mean covered it’s more than a thin layer of snow. It’s been years since I needed to run in this situation. I am nervous about falling because I can’t see the ground. I was hoping the roads would be at least cleared so I could go run on quieter roads but they are not yet. Any tips would be appreciated since it’s just the beginning of the snowy season.

If snow is packed, I have some Kahtoola nanospikes that fit over my running shoes.I don't find them as helpful for looser snow, so I will just run without them but since the footing isn't as solid, I will adjust my stride. The only times I won't run is on ice. Otherwise, I just adapt my pace and cadence.

 

[Naomeri]

Curious what everyone does to run in the snow when the sidewalks and roads are covered? When I mean covered it’s more than a thin layer of snow. It’s been years since I needed to run in this situation. I am nervous about falling because I can’t see the ground. I was hoping the roads would be at least cleared so I could go run on quieter roads but they are not yet. Any tips would be appreciated since it’s just the beginning of the snowy season.

I either run inside, or change my schedule to wait until the roads get done. Just stay off of ice!

 

[avondale]

I run on the treadmill most of the time, but I do have these that slip on over my boots or shoes for walking the dog when it gets snowy and icy: https://www.rei.com/product/252499/yaktrax-walk-plus-traction-device

I'm hesitant to really run in anything but fluffy snow, as I'm just too nervous about slipping and tend to tense up.

Yes, I second the Yak Trax or other microspikes. They are good for packed snow that would be a bit slippy to walk on - the spikes grab it easily. They can do a bit of ice, too, but not something that would be similar to a skating rink - just too slippery even for the microspikes. You will go slower, for sure. Effort rather than pace.

A lot of folks get trail-type shoes (rather than road running shoes) and feel like that's sufficient for an inch or two of fluffy snow. Again, slow down.

As far as "not being able to see the ground"...actually, snow will tend to fill in gaps and dips and tend to smooth things out. I think packed snow on trails makes them easier - not so many tripping hazards from rocks and roots sticking up. Your snow would have to be really fluffy and unpacked for you to sink through it and find those unseen bumps to trip on.

You need to go out, start slow, and practice to get comfortable on it.

 

[dobball23]

Not me spending half my paycheck on The Feed this week...

But I'm pretty sure I have enough gels/hydration mix/supplements to last me the whole year now!

I was thinking of doing the same thing but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Not sure how long their Black Friday deals last?

 

[PrincessV]

The snow talk is so wild to me because, while I’ve been a Floridian for decades, I grew up in a WNY town that put so much slat on its roads, they didn’t just stay drivable - they were BONE DRY all winter, no matter how much snow came down! This also destroyed the area’s groundwater, so not an ideal solution, but yeah - we never had to contend with icy, slushy, snowy roads within my town. (Sidewalks were another matter - some homeowners were dedicated to clear sidewalks and snowblowed and salted theirs into submission, while some just left the snow to build up all winter.)

 

[LatebloomerultraF3]

Spoiled Atlanta runner…I only run outside and usually pretty early, so lots of cold runs in the winter, but I never even considered the idea of “nanospikes” for the snow. Holy cow.

I’ve kept up my mile a day streak when I’ve gone skiing before (Whistler was great running…Colorado offered all different challenges…) and just used my trail shoes….i have a pair of the entry level Brooks Divides that I’ve used. (Not waterproof…I don’t know how they would hold up on a long run in the slush.)

 

[The Expert]

The snow talk is so wild to me because, while I’ve been a Floridian for decades, I grew up in a WNY town that put so much slat on its roads, they didn’t just stay drivable - they were BONE DRY all winter, no matter how much snow came down! This also destroyed the area’s groundwater, so not an ideal solution, but yeah - we never had to contend with icy, slushy, snowy roads within my town.

Utah was that way too, but instead of salt they used brine. Also, the snow out there is super dry (hence the awesome ski conditions) and we never got ice. It was great to run in or after a snow there! The issue for me here in Vermont is that our nearby roads aren't paved, so if it's warm enough to melt the snow, it is sloppy mud. And then when it gets cold again overnight, that sloppy mud turns to icy mud.

They don't use salt on the unpaved areas, but they do come add a layer of dirt and gravel down the middle every now and then, which just adds to the horrible camber. The closest paved road is a pretty busy 2-lane with a lot of curves and hills. People do run and bike on it, but I definitely would not feel safe. The trails are pretty great - for the two months a year they aren't ski trails or mud bogs.

Hence my massive amount of time on the treadmill! Thankfully Proform with iFit has served me well and I love mine.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

Who is running the Atlanta Half on Thanksgiving? please let me know your start time ish and pace ish.

tagging those i think might be doing it or i am sure are.

@Disney at Heart @princesspirateandrunner @BigEeyore @Mr. lncredible

Sorry, I just now saw this. I did the local trip to fan (voice-to-text for Tryptophan) half up near Cumming. It was initially going to be the 10 K due to needing to get back to here for lunch preparations, but our Thanksgiving meal got pushed to late afternoon, so happily the race organizer let me upgrade to the half and I finished it six minute shy of the PR I set back on Labor Day weekend. I really don’t care for the cold, and it still would’ve been OK if not for the winds and wind gusts we were getting that morning.

And cross-posting from the MW thread, I hope this is a benefit to someone:

Adding to the fuel mix (so to speak) are some lessons learned on my part. Out of respect for privacy, I prefer not to publicly name people without their permission, but within the threads of the this forum,I can’t thank @DopeyBadger enough for his research and insights and the knowledge he has shared with all of us.

So my 2-cents worth on race fueling: