Beat winter’s chill with outdoor running (yes, really!)
By Megan Hettwer
Photos by Nate Swanberg
Winter might be the perfect time for Netflix, hot chocolate and hibernation, but don’t plan on holing up indoors for the entire season just yet. Running outside when there’s snow on the ground and ice on the pavement may sound less than appealing. However, countless Boulder County runners love the magic found in cruising tranquil, snow-covered roads and trails.
Boulder resident Megan Hebbe, 31, has been hooked on running since she was a teenager participating in track. After feeling the fresh snow crunch under her feet, she became hooked on winter running. She has always “loved the serenity and newness” of running in the snow. Hebbe feels that winter is a time for introspection, and calls running her “kinesthetic meditation.”
Winter is also an excellent time to view wildlife. The snow makes it easier to see bald eagles, deer, mountain lions and more. Boulder resident Matt Nolen, 31, recalls a memorable run when he was a student in Montana. While running along a creek through 4 inches of snow, he spotted a bobcat in a tree. The cat, seeing Nolen, ran into the creek and swam across to the other side. And that, to put it succinctly, “was pretty cool.”
Beth Risdon, 47, who lives in Longmont, has been enthusiastically running since 2008 and writes a blog, “Shut Up and Run,” which presents an often-humorous look into the world of running (including how to avoid “digestive distress” on longer runs). To her, “there’s nothing like running in the snow. It’s so totally peaceful and gorgeous.” Even as she recalls an exhausting 15-mile training run where her eyelashes froze shut, she urges new runners to get outside to enjoy the fresh, crisp air.
Where to Run
Even after a snowfall, many local routes are safe to run on. Nolen has lived throughout Boulder County and appreciates how well the county and cities maintain their trails and bike paths. He suggests checking out Cottonwood Trail or South Boulder Creek Trail the day following a snowfall. Stay away from Marshall Mesa if staying clean is important, though; those trails are usually muddy. Risdon enjoys Picture Rock and Hall Ranch in Lyons, and Heil Ranch off Lefthand Canyon, saying she “could run these three trails several times a week and never get sick of them.” Boulder runner Amy Gosch, 31, loves the Dowdy Draw and South Mesa trail systems for easy running. If she’s seeking a more difficult run she’ll start from NCAR or Chautauqua.
Familiarity with the terrain can be a confidence booster when you first begin navigating snow and ice. Superior resident and relatively new runner Samantha Vish, 26, runs loops around her apartment complex in the winter, preferring to be close to home. But even more experienced runners aren’t immune to the occasional stumble. Hebbe says she’s slipped on ice and bruised a rib before, but she emphasizes that it’s important to “forgive yourself.” Run at a slower pace and be mindful of the terrain.
Gear and Clothing
Moisture-wicking layers are important for winter running, but don’t bundle up too much. Because running generates so much body heat, Risdon suggests dressing as if the outside temperature were 10 to 20 degrees warmer. Nolen, Risdon and Hebbe all swear by running mittens to keep their cold hands toasty.
While keeping things simple is best, Risdon also emphasizes that runners shouldn’t skimp on their clothing. She loves her fleece-lined GoLite running tights, SmartWool socks and C9 running jacket from Target. Repurposing clothing from other winter activities is smart, too. Vish uses her snowboarding face and neck mask on particularly frigid days. As Nolen puts it, “You just put on more clothes and go for it.”
Traction devices that fit over your shoes can help you avoid slipping. Yaktrax are good for road running, and many trail runners use MICROspikes in winter.
With limited daylight hours in the winter, light is another important consideration, and a bright headlamp is vital for trail running. “Headlamps are a must on trails, even with a full moon,” says Gosch, who purchased a 130-lumen headlamp for $40 at Neptune Mountaineering. Hebbe even suggests running with a headlamp and a handheld flashlight to improve depth perception. Do be wary of manufacturers’ claims for a headlamp’s brightness and battery life.
Advice for New Runners
A fantastic way to become comfortable with winter running is to find a supportive running group. Local running stores like Boulder Running Company, Flatirons Running, Newton Running and Runners Roost organize fun runs throughout the week, as do groups like Boulder Rogue Runners, Boulder Trail Runners and Pearl Street Runners. Meetup.com is an excellent resource for finding new running friends, and there are groups for all levels.
As a new runner herself, Vish offers some practical advice for runners working up the courage to tackle the cold: Find motivation. For her, it’s the big races. The entry fee is motivating, and after she signs up for a race Vish tells her family and friends about it. “They would never let me live it down if I chickened out.”
If competition motivates you, there are several winter races happening in and around Boulder County throughout the winter, and many more within an hour’s drive (see Races and Walks in Boulder Magazine’s Local Events listings.) From 5k’s to marathons, there’s a distance for every level of athlete.
What’s the most common advice from seasoned runners? Just have fun with it! Vish recounts one unforgettable run where she stepped down on a patch of frozen ice, only to abruptly learn that it was actually a deep, cold puddle. She shakes her head and laughs at herself, knowing she’ll be running outside this winter, too.
Megan Hettwer is an adventure-seeking freelance writer with a severe case of wanderlust. When she isn’t globetrotting, Boulder is her home base.
