Winter Challenge - 2013

Update Dec 22

We're up to 2600+ km, thanks to Yvonne who registered 150km. Run Lite logged 24.

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Two days with highs above freezing. I took advantage and got in 13 miles of skin-to-ground running while commuting in the afternoon and running back and forth on some semi-clear streets in the fairgrounds. Very boring way to run, but it was worth it; I was way overdue for some soleful stimulation. Life just isn't the same without it.

Now we're back to -18C/ -30C windchill, and will be for most of this week. December was a terrible month for winter barefoot running. Hopefully January will be more favorable.
 
Finally got in some barefoot running (sans treadmill). I ran 8km on packed snow through some local trails. The foot/ski/snowshoe traffic has finally packed the snow into a surface that can be run on. The temperatures are about to drop (-teens to -twenties C). Bring on the cold so the roads can dry out!
 
Update Dec 29 - 1/2 way point

I hope Santa was good to everyone!

197 km for the group this week. Thirteen members recorded mileage this week. Congrats to everyone that has participated so far. We are half way through the Challenge. Bare Lee is in top spot. Yvonne, rickwhitelaw, and gueng are steadily adding to their totals. I'm putting my money on Yvonne.

Old man Winter will begin to hit hard over the next 4 weeks. A word of warning to all ... please put safety over ego. Run safe. Run smart.

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Another 6" of snow today. The roads are a mix of snow covered and salty slush. I think I'll have to try and find a well used trail. Zero klicks so far this week.

Bob -- Did Anna get a hold of you?
Bob -- do your Mukluks have a gum sole (crepe)?

sorry Yow been out of the country since before Christmas and just got back. Running Cuba and was back to basics with no technology, it was sweet.

Yes, Anna did get a hold of me (I know you probably know this as the pictures are in the new issue.
No, my mukluks have two layers of buckskin (untreated), there is no gum or rubber sole at all. This way I can really feel the ground. They have performed wonderfully as long as the ground is not wet. Well over a 1,000 miles of trails ran and have lasted for almost 3 years.
 
This has been a terrible winter for BFR so far along the southern Lake Erie shore. We had our eighth snowiest December on record, over sixty inches (~155 cm.) so far.
Compare that with last year when we had approx. 15 inches by this date.
Combined with high winds and cold temperatures, it's been decidely unfriendly for barefooting it.
Forecast for the next ten days calls for snow and lows in the single digits (F).

I may as well move to Canada. ;)
 
This has been a terrible winter for BFR so far along the southern Lake Erie shore. We had our eighth snowiest December on record, over sixty inches (~155 cm.) so far.
Compare that with last year when we had approx. 15 inches by this date.
Combined with high winds and cold temperatures, it's been decidely unfriendly for barefooting it.
Forecast for the next ten days calls for snow and lows in the single digits (F).

I may as well move to Canada. ;)

We can annex you as part of Canada. That way you don't have to sign up for ObamaCare ... you just get our FREE health care. (yes, I know ... nothing is free. But at least you don't have to take out a second mortgage if you get sick)
 
It has started ... the soles of my feet are starting to loose their conditioning. Either that or the salt burn I got during the first week of December is causing my feet to peel.
It has been too cold to run outside (I don't care what Bob and dutchie say). I hit the treadmill for 10k each of the last two days. I really don't think I'll be able to maintain my sanity if I have to keep running on that @%$#&^$ machine.
 
You do know that shoes can be used as tools YOW. :D I would rather put on my KIGOS and run outside than on a dreadmill. Was thinking of doing a 1 km barefoot today as it was only -10C, but it was snowing to hard so I wound up doing 2 miles in the min shoes.


Tools? Oh God yes, I've got door stops, book ends, and check out my new hammer ...
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Is .4 miles in the snow too little to register on the winter barefoot richter scale. 35°F. Wind. I was awfully proud of myself. But more importantly, it was fun and I didn't hurt myself.


And you should be, and well done. It certainly does qualify. Add yourself to the spreadsheet. See it wasn't as scary after all.