We are hitting one week of being snowed in. Supplies are running low and I’m going to head out to the store on my snowshoes tomorrow. It is ~5 miles one way on a nice former railroad track so flat except for one huge hill that I live on. I’ve done alot of snowshoeing but for the life of me I can’t remember what my pace is. Any rough estimates on how long I should plan for the 10 mile round trip? I’m thinking 15 minute miles? I’ll do some running but the snow will be pretty deep and since I will have a full backpack on the way home it will take longer than going out to the store. I am a very slow runner so those who run 6 minute miles will likely not be able to provide an accurate estimate for a slowpoke like me.
I dug out my snowshoes today - they were a Xmas gift last year and I am finally getting them out, LOL. They are good running snowshoes but wouldn’t stay on my feet, I need to play with them a bit. I was surprised at how light they were. I wound up XC skiing.
Yup, completely. The hubby got out on Tuesday. Wednesday a co-worker came by and picked him up in his Hummer but that is the last time one of us has been out. It is snowing pretty hard now and might keep going thru the week. So, not much hope for clear roads for quite some time. Streets are completely shut down in Seattle and we won’t see a plow in my neighborhood for days. It has been fun for running though
If you could get out you could rent “Storm of the Century.” (Filmed in Southwest Harbor, Maine, btw. One of the places I’ve lived on this island). That has got to be one of the most chilling movies I’ve ever seen.
I’ve been doing a bit of snowshoe running this year, and it is certainly a lot slower than regular running on the road.
I’ll give you my differences for reference:
normal running: 6:45 miles
SS running on flat with a 6 inches powder - 8-10 min/miles
SS race on a hilly course last weekend in powder - 10 to 12 min/miles
So…I’d bank on it taking at least twice as long as normal running on the road, then if you factor in a backpack and all that, it could take even longer.
Enjoy - it actually sounds kind of fun to snowshoe for required supplies instead of just for exercise!!
I normally run about 9 minute mile pace (slow) and I can snowshoe the backcountry at 12-15 minute pace depending on how flat it is. One thing that helps a lot especially with a pack is hiking poles. They take the stress off your knees and help keep you balanced. Just make sure you have ski baskets on them. If you want a really hard workout, ditch the pack, get a week’s supply of groceries, put it on a sled and tow it behind you. Good luck!
I’m actually looking forward to it. My hubby thinks I’m nuts but isn’t complaining since that means he’ll get treats. Sounds like I should plan for 3.5mph and hope I’ll move quicker than that. I hope it stops snowing or it will be a less pleasant trip.
I thought about borrowing a sled from the neighbor’s kid
I am not an expert, but based on what I read snowshoe marathons are run quite quickly so with the proper equipment(running snowshoes) you could definitely motor one direction.
Btw even if you are kidding I think it would count as running as both feet are above the ground at the same time during the motion.
a 10k snowshoe race on a rolling course takes me almost twice as long as running a 10k race on the roads. the local ss race is twice around a 5k loop, and most everyone negative splits by a few minutes just because the snow is better packed on the second loop. if you are breaking trail for 5 miles, then carrying a backpack home, its going to be a good workout. i recommend eating the treats along the way home and have fun.
My snowshoe race 10K times have been about double my run race times. They have not had a lot of deep snow but those were mountainous with higher elevation than I’m used to. Snow conditions are really the factor for you, deep, loose snow can really slow you down. Your 15 minutes sounds do-able for the trip out, but maybe not for the trip home with a full backpack and being tired. If it’s not windy, returning on the trail that you broke going out may help.
From my experience, 10 minute miles is moving on snowshoes. The superfast guys go faster than that, but 10 minute miles is a competitive pace in a race. For 10 miles, I’d personally plan for at least 3 hours, especially if you pack-horsing it.
From my experience, 10 minute miles is moving on snowshoes. The superfast guys go faster than that, but 10 minute miles is a competitive pace in a race. For 10 miles, I’d personally plan for at least 3 hours, especially if you pack-horsing it.
I have regular snowshoes but they are really lightweight and I’ve run in them before. The snow in my yard and road in front of my house is about 14" deep with powser and the trail I’ll be on will be the same. It will be darn tiring but should be fun. It might start snowing again and if it does I might have to put off the trip. Coffee is running dangerously low and I’ve already run out of creamer. It will be days before we can get out in a car. More snow today through this week and since I live in a small neighborhood we are pretty much last on the list for snowplows.
Seriously, you need a pulk and then you can pack survival stuff like a tent, extra food, water, in case of a white out. Plus, you can restock your whole subdivision while waiting for the plows.
Sally Edwards, a champion ultrarunner and snowshoe runner since 1991, notes that on packed trails snowshoe runners should expect to add 2 to 3 minutes per mile to their 10K race pace. Tom Sobal, at 3:06:17, owns the fastest recognized time for a 26.2-mile snowshoe marathon.
Mission aborted!! Morning concall ran late and I left the house without my wallet and not quite properly dressed, didn’t bring a balaklava it looked like snow. Even if I got that stuff and left again I’m budgeting 4 hours total for my adventure and that would have brought me dangerously close to dark and I’m on some roads. So, I got in 30 minutes, approx 2 miles. I’ll charge up the Garmin tonight and get some real data.
So, tomorrow I’ll get going early and get my shit together tonight.
I did get a good picture of me starting out though.
