Any tips for a first timer in snowshoe running?

Triathlon Forum
1

8k Snow shoe race Sat. morning will be my first time wearing snowshoes along with a predicted temp of -5F and would appreciate any tips.

2

I wish I could give you some advice. I got a pair for Christmas this year, but I have not been able to use them yet.
No snow!!??

Jeff

3

-You’ll heat up very fast. Wear a parka to the start over what you would normally wear running in this temperature, drop the parka as soon as the race starts.
-Get small gaiters to wear over your shoes. Will help the keep the snow out of the tops.
-If you have them, trail running shoes work best for this…they’re usually stiffer and waterproof/resistant. You can wear running shoes, but they’ll get wet pretty fast.
-Use wool running socks, even when wet they’ll keep your feet warm.
-You can wear normal running tights and they’ll work fine, however sometimes when you run the tails of the snowshoes will flick snow up onto your butt and legs, where it can stick and melt (and make you cold). Water-resistant but breathable tights/pants are good.
-There’s zero adaptation to running with snowhoes. Just run normally.
-However, your pace will be significantly slower in the snow, and your HR higher. You’ll be working harder. Not that I’m the best judge or anything, but my local park trail run circuit takes about 20 minutes per lap when I’m running in the summer. In the winter with snowshoes it’s closer to 28 or 29 minutes per lap.

Have a great time, I’m jealous (the local snowshoe race that was scheduled for Feb. 11 was canceled).

4

All Freeman said, plus step wide otherwise you will step on yourself.

5

  1. Relax and have fun.

  2. Be sure to keep your weight over the cleat (forefoot) when coming down hills. If you get your weight back, the snowshoe tries to act like a ski, a crappy ski at that.

  3. Wear something that sheads snow, like nylon, definitely not fleece (snow-magnet) as the outer layer, especially your legs as the snowshoes like to scoop up snow and throw it back at you. Tights alone won’t cut it. Wear water resistant gloves as you may fall a lot.

  4. I would start pretty conservatively, your time may be twice what it would be running, depending on terrain and snow conditions.