Written by Donna Macauley
Often people ask me, “Do you run trails all year?” The answer is most definitely, YES! Running on snow covered trails is beautiful and it is my most favorite time of year to be in the woods. You’ll be surprised at how many people use the trails in the winter and how packed down they get. Often you don’t need any traction devices on well traveled trails. Also, there are no rocks and roots to trip over (and possibly a softer landing if you do slip). If you need traction, there are several options:
- Screw shows – the easiest and most affordable option is to take an old pair of sneakers and add very short sheet rock screws to the bottom. Warning – do not wear these shoes inside, as they can damage the floor or be extremely slippery on some surfaces.
- Kahtoola Microspikes – (https://www.rei.com/…/kahtoola-microspikes-traction-system) devices that fit over your running shoes and provide spikes that will dig into snow and ice and provide all the traction you need.
- Snowshoes – if you are the first to hit the trail after a snowstorm like we had yesterday, snowshoes are a must to create a nice hard packed trail for those that follow. If you break the trail without snowshoes you will create “postholes” in the path, making a hazardous path for those that follow. Don’t be a posthole creator!
Consider a set of gaiters to keep the snow out of your sneakers.
It’s a great time to get out there and enjoy the magic of winter in the woods. Bring your phone, a trail map and always let someone know where you are going.
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