Winter Running Resources and YakTrax Pro Giveaway
November 19, 2010 by Bryon Powell · 170 Comments
Brrr! The temperatures have plummeted, the wind is howling, and snow has fallen eight of the past nine days at our Utah headquarters. I guess that means winter is on its way, if it’s not already here. With that in mind, we’re going to take this opportunity to highlight some of the winter running resources that can be found here on iRunFar.com. As a bonus, we gave away five pairs of YakTrax Pro, our favorite winter running traction device.
Winter Running Resources
If you stop by iRF looking for our latest winter-related articles, click on the Winter Running tab at the top of every page or bookmark our winter running tag URL. If you’re looking for some more specific winter running advice, below are some examples.
Gear Resources
Two winters ago, we pulled together a series of winter running traction device reviews. The series, which focuses on over-the-shoe devices, includes separate reviews of Kahtoola MICROspikes, Kako Ice Trekkers Ultra (discontinued), STABILicers SPORT, and YakTrax Pro – our top pick in the lot. Stay tuned for an overview of additional winter running traction methods this winter.
We’ve also reviewed some shoes that are particularly suited for winter, such as the Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX, the Asics Gel-Arctic WR 2, the Inov-8 Mudclaw 330, the Saucony ProGrid Razor, and the La Sportiva Crosslite.
If you’re looking for ways to stay warm, take a look at our reviews of Moeben Arm Sleeves, the Original Buff, and the Merino Wool Buff. There are also multi-review articles on transition weather running apparel as well as running gloves and mittens.
Alternative Activities
Runners in snowy areas often engage in additional winter sports to maintain their endurance through the winter. Last year, we published articles on snowshoe running basics and snowshoe racing as well as my own 3-day snowshoe trek around Yosemite National Park. Look for more on snowshoe running articles this winter as well as information on other winter endurance sports.
Articles and Entertainment
We’ve also got a couple winter articles that you might enjoy. First off, there’s one discussing the merits (or lack thereof) of snowshoe running. Then there’s Kevin Sullivan’s highly entertaining Why I Hate/Love Winter Running. If you enjoy Kevin’s winter running article, check out his poignant Will Running on the Treadmill Make You Insane? Away from iRunFar, check out iRF writer Meghan Hicks’s Postholing Memories story. If you’re a fan of cross country running, consider whether it should be part of the winter olympics.
YakTrax Pro Giveaway!
We’re sure that you haven’t forgotten about about the YakTrax Pro giveaway and neither have we! [Unfortauntely for you, the contest has already closed.]
Stay Up to Date with iRunFar
If you want to read the latest iRunFar story about winter running or anything else, you can subscribe to iRunFar via RSS or via email.
Related articles:
- Winter Running Prep With winter on the way, brush up on iRunFar's winter running resources. While you're at it, you could win one of five winter survival packages, which each include a pair...
- YakTrax Pro Giveway Winners! The winners of iRunFar's Winter Survival Package with YakTrax Pro giveaway....
- Endless Autumn: Running Through the Winter That Never Was A discussion piece about trail running during this Winter that Wasn't....
Filed under Contests, Discussion ·
Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
Ever run along the Erie Canal without something to keep you above the snow? No mountains, just lots of snow, would love to try these.
I’d like to try these out this winter on the trails through Bear Mt. and Harriman State Park in New York.
Mark
I’m training for my first 50k Spring 2011. Last year running in the ice and snow was difficult but doable. I’ve held off buying any kind of traction aids mainly due to the economy here in Michigan (need save every thing I can for entrance fees, ha, ha). My plan is to do a 50 miler in 2011 (Fall) if the 50k, and various 26′ers go well. Everything depends on my consistency this Winter.
Put YakTrax on the Christmas list after a friend highly recommended them. Would love to pull them off the list if I win a pair from you! Got a couple 50ks planned for Feb and Mar. Looking forward to a piece of gear that’ll keep me training all winter no matter the weather.
right now i run with an old pair of new balance all-weather trail shoes with sheet-metal screws sunk into the bottom for traction. actually works great, but some yak trax would be better . . .
Got my first dose of real winter this week – 35 mph headwind, -5 windchill, snow-covered gravel road. A month from now I probably will skip it, but right now it makes me feel tough.
Steve
Idaho Falls, ID
In addition to snowshoeing, I would suggest the less popular in the US sport, of ski mountaineering. Yes, it is costly and yes could prove a bit more risky but its a hell of a lot more exciting than snowshoeing !
Pick me…..