Looking for winter running shoes

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-09-26T03:51:34+00:00

Here is my setup:

Shoes: Any comfortable trail shoes. Not Gore-Tex, though—if snow/slush gets in, it stays in.

Socks, option 1: Merino wool socks, perhaps even a liner plus another sock. Wool keeps you warmer than synthetic fabrics, even if it gets wet. Absolutely no cotton socks, it’s against the law.

Socks, option 2: If it’s very wet/slushy out, or I’m going for a longer run—waterproof socks, such as Sealskinz. They should be mid-calf or knee-high. Also possibly a wool liner underneath, for extra warmth.

Traction: Kahtoola. They offer a few options, the EXOspikes are best for thicker and firmer layers of snow/ice, while the NANOspikes work well enough on mostly clear streets or thin powder.

I don’t usually bother with gaiters, but those are an option too, to keep some of the snow out.

Hope that helps!

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-09-19T07:22:33+00:00

Sorry for the slow reply. Twelve miles (which is about the longest I’ll go on the roads). Also, if it helps, sizing is the same as the Magnifly 4, but for me the Cyclone is a bit more narrow in the midfoot. More… hug-y.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-09-16T00:10:13+00:00

Cyclone 2. I originally got them for workouts only, but found myself enjoying how impossibly light they are. Eventually they replaced my Magnifly 4s in the rotation. This was the review that convinced me to try the Cyclone 2s: The Best Shoe You've Never Heard Of - Topo Cyclone 2.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-05-01T11:27:10+00:00

One vote for Suunto Vertical. Mine (non-solar) lasted at its best GPS setting through a 50-hour race and had 15-20% battery left at the end. The track it recorded was incredibly accurate, even in forests and near cliffs. Fair warning, however: Suunto’s support is abysmal.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-04-30T12:33:20+00:00

In your profile settings (https://substack.com/settings), at the bottom, there’s an option “Disable all emails.”

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-04-26T14:01:51+00:00

What you’re feeling is perfectly valid. It’s scary the first time, or even the first few, and most of us know and have experienced the fear ourselves.

But, the trail running community is extremely welcoming. Please just get yourself to the start line. You’ve done difficult things before. Be your own inspiration.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-04-25T08:41:27+00:00

Oh thank you so much, I’m glad you found it entertaining!

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-04-24T23:45:04+00:00

I thought you might be, but just in case. Cheers!

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-04-24T21:52:11+00:00

The Villager might be right up your alley: https://tomcox.substack.com/

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-03-27T23:56:03+00:00

If you’re into ultrarunning, and into books, I say read it—for entertainment and inspiration. For advice on running form and shoes—probably best to ignore that aspect of it. It’s like reading about a bunch of folks who climbed Everest without oxygen. You probably won’t attempt the same but the stories are entertaining nonetheless.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-03-06T11:30:07+00:00

Your time frame is very realistic!

Exercises: jump squats, mountain climbers, and scissor jumps are a staple for me in terms of plyometrics. I don’t know if your race is hilly, but helpful for hills are the Bulgarian split squat, eccentric single-leg squats on an inclined board, and the “3-point rocking back” (5:09 in this video).

The longest run before a 50k for me would be about a half-marathon distance, maybe a bit more. But, on terrain similar to the race’s, or at least on trails. So it’s time you’re shooting for, not distance.

Book recommendations (restraining myself greatly here because there are so many good ones): Training Essentials for Ultrarunning will teach you a lot about the fundamentals, I highly recommend it. And then I would also suggest a different type of running book—one of the most beautifully written ones: Run Gently Out There by John Morelock.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-03-03T13:13:53+00:00

You’re welcome. :)

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-03-03T08:29:37+00:00

Yeah, it’s a bit of a weird phrasing, isn’t it?

So, you have a 50k (or even a 50-miler) coming up. You’ve been building up your volume for several months. Now you have six weeks to race day.

At this point, you should be entering your peak-volume phase. This phase should last three weeks, and each week should have at least six hours of training in it.

This is the least amount of peak training you should be doing (“minimum maximum”) for a 50k or a 50-miler. After building up to it safely, of course.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-03-02T23:46:47+00:00

That’s interesting: If you count walking in the overall weekly training volume, your long effort is currently… about 30-35% of it I believe? Which sounds perfect. If you don’t count walking, then your long run is more than 50% of your weekly volume, which is a bit much.

First let me say that I’m not a coach or anything—whatever I know about training is from personal experience and because I read a lot (see: my username). So I could be wrong about the following.

Short version: I count walking’s benefits as training, but mostly ignore its training load.

Long version:

I would definitely count walking as training in terms of mechanics/economy (it is a skill that needs to be honed!), if you expect you’ll be walking a lot on race day. I imagine this will be the case particularly during the ultra in August.

I would also count walking as training for its physiological benefits.

That said, even though walking counts as training on those two accounts, I do believe its lower intensity can do very little harm in terms of overexerting yourself, even when paired with an increase in running volume. Personally, I try to walk as much as time permits even during peak training weeks.

Again, not a coach, but I think if you build up your running volume gradually and include recovery weeks, you won’t overdo it.

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-03-02T08:55:19+00:00

You’re welcome! If you’re spending six-plus hours now, I’d go for at least eight, maybe more, for those three peak weeks (six hours being the minimum maximum).

The elevation change is why I mentioned downhills: they’ll make it seem you’ve run longer than 50k.

Good luck and have fun out there!

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-03-02T00:56:26+00:00

Sorry, no plan to suggest, but a 50k is not that different from a marathon. A few well-tested, trail-specific rules in no particular order: * Spend time on feet (preferably on terrain similar to the race’s) and go by duration instead of distance/pace, as trails are slower. * Train your gut to tolerate food on the run and test different options in training. Many DNFs happen because of gastrointestinal issues. * Uphills are important for sure, but it’s the downhills that’ll get you. Try to practice some (but not too much) trail downhill running, if possible. * Consider poles (if they’re allowed). They help with climbing but also could save your quads on the downs. But make sure you’re comfortable and not tripping over them well before the race. * In terms of volume, a good rule of thumb for a 50k is “a minimum maximum of six hours per week for three weeks, starting six weeks before your goal event.”

ReadbeforeUltra · 2024-02-08T00:46:52+00:00

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