Running in the snow!

Running in the snow! - - and ice - - and most of the year in Alaska.  It is difficult to live in Alaska and train for marathons.  I have run four marathons and quite a few half marathons, 10k, and 5k runs while living in Alaska.  From late October until April the ground is covered by snow and ice.  Sure you can run indoors on a treadmill (my longest treadmill run is 17 miles) – that gets old – fast.  Since most marathons are in the Spring, Summer, Fall time frame and it takes about six months to train for a marathon – living in Alaska means you will probably be doing some running, outdoors, in the winter.  Running on snow and ice has its challenges, primarily slips and falls.

Quite a few years ago I heard a few stories about people putting short sheet metal screws in the soles of their shoes to provide traction.  I decided to give it a try – and it works.  There is a noticeable difference running with and without these screws in your shoes for traction.  Recently I have seen shoes manufactured with short spikes made for running on ice and snow.

Here is a video that demonstrates how I install screws in my running shoes for better traction.

I have run a few different marathons around the U.S.  Here is a link to one of the more popular marathons in Alaska – The Mayor’s Midnight Sun Marathon held near the longest day of the year here in Alaska...

The Good

• More confident running
• Less slips
• Exercise 
• Spend time outdoors
• Low expense
• Easy to install

The So-So

• Need tools to install yourself

The Not-Good

• Running in the Summer or on dry smooth surfaces
• If you absolutly love treadmill running - this is not for you (take your treadmill outside in the winter???)