Winter Challenge Summary 2013-2014
By Barefoot YOW
Alaska to Georgia + 3 more miles!!!
That’s an amazing 3549 miles or 5712 kilometres. The same distance racked up by BRS runners in our 2013 Winter Challenge. That’s skin on the ground, snow, or ice. No 5-fingers. No minimalist. No socks. True bare feet on frozen ground, and 1200 miles more than any previous year in the existence of the Challenge. Do you remember the Polar Vortex? Our runners certainly do. This was the coldest winter in North America in 20 to 120 years (depending on your region). Our rules (because there are always rules…) were simple.
Rules
1. Runs must be BAREFOOT
2. Temperature with windchill must be less than 42°F (5.1°C)
3. Any run of 1/3 mile (o.5 km) can be counted
4. October 1 2013 to April 1 2014
Despite the cold, 59 pair of soles ventured out to run barefoot this winter, and run they did. We had participants from United States, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Norway, United Kingdom, and Greenland. Individual totals ranged from 0.3 to 497.6 miles. 3549 miles is like running 1/6th of the distance around the world at the equator or 600,000 times around the North pole . Each runner accomplished a feat by simply venturing outside to test their cold endurance. Cold weather running takes patience and a keen sense of feedback. I’ll quote Barefooting Bob, “Numb feet = Dumb feet”. It becomes a bit of an art to learn that your feet will warm up, but at some point when you start to lose ground feel it is time to don footwear.
We had several first time winter enthusiasts, and a gang of returning veterans. The group could be broken down into five mileage groups:
· Up to ½ marathon distance = 23 runners
· Up to 60 mi (96 km) = 23 runners
· Up to 125 miles (200 km) = 3 runners
· Up to 250 miles (400 km) = 7 runners
· Over 250 miles = 3 runners
lparker
The above table shows the kilometres run by the group. The average distance ran was 6.9 km or 4.3 mi. Most running (93.1%) was done in the 41°F to 14°F range. This has been consistent over the last four years. This was our sweet spot for temperatures. At these temperatures you got exposed to a variety of conditions, including dry/wet asphalt, slush, and packed snow. Most runners commented that running on snow was tricky, as they preferred dry roadways. For myself, I found a big difference running on packed snow early versus later in the winter. The snow seemed colder late in the winter.
There has always been an undercurrent of a side competition, which pitted USA vs CAN. This year Canada got trounced by the US. The mileage put up by the US members was almost quadruple that of the Canadians. This makes it 2 years each for Canada and USA. So we Canucks hang our head low and say congrats (at least we won the Gold medals in hockey J).
Here are the individual numbers. The first number that jumps out is the 800.8 km (497 mi) that Bare Lee recorded. WOW! I never thought someone would accomplish that kind of mileage. This was a huge increase in the top mileage. The previous record was 565 km (351 mi) by rickwhitelaw. In fact, Yvonne also exceeded the previous record. She joined the challenge in December. I wonder what her total would have been if she started 2 months earlier, like the rest of us? She was the most consistent of runners, as she chalked up high mileage each week. I was cheering her along, as this marked the first time a woman finished in the top 3. Congratulations to Lee and Yvonne!!!
We now have a new record for the coldest run. Barefooting Bob ran at -33°C (-27.4°F) while dutchie ran at -31°C. Lee and Yvonne battled it out for top spot in the sub-freezing mileage too, with Lee edging her out in the last couple weeks. These two accounted for 26% of the total mileage, with more mileage than all the other countries combined. – WOW!
ArticDuplo
The following charts show comparative results from 2010 to 2013. They clearly show that more people are running in the winter. The averages show consistency in the sweet spot (41° to 23°F).
Video by paraganek
Comments from Challenge participants
Bare Lee “… my tolerances improved, mostly temp-wise. I only got slightly better at running on compacted snow. The suddenness with which this winter came on in December got me off my game. There was almost no time to transition from above-freezing temps to really cold temps. Also, unlike last winter, there was almost no mid-winter thawing. For those of us who have trouble running on compacted snow, this made barefoot running almost impossible December through February, even when the temps were reasonable … I've gotten a little better at knowing when to pull up. But since it's always due to moisture of some kind, the easiest solution would be to simply run shod whenever there's moisture and it's below freezing. It'll still be a little tricky, though, when the surfaces are mixed between dry and slush/snow/puddle patches.”
Yvonne “This was my very first winter running barefoot. Although at some point I did have to resort to footwear for my daily farm chores etc through the winter, I was happily able to run barefoot for every single run! Cold and dry was a breeze for me, really cold plus wet was a challenge sometimes. Packed snow wasn't bad most of the time, but cold temps plus fresh snow could be a problem and I found required short out-and-back distances so I could get home fairly quickly if my toes showed signs of frost-nip. I learned that lesson the hard way after a 3.11 mile run in the fresh snow in temp with windchill at -4°F, which resulted in frostbite to several toe-tips. Another challenge I had to deal with this winter was frequent road-winterizing with salt and gravel/sand. Sharp lumps of salt were awful to step on, but the gravel I adapted to. I ran in all sorts of weather...clouds, wind, snow, sleet, fog, rain, sun. I experienced an array of sights and sensations (and took lots of photos!). Despite the cold temperatures, weather conditions, and surface challenges, I was able to continue my usual routine of typically running every other day throughout winter...entirely barefoot. “
Mokaman “... I usually stop barefooting thru the winter even though its mild here compared to the northern locations. I did more winter barefooting even though it was the coldest here I can remember ... great thread for motivation to keep barefooting thru the winter.”
MikeR “My tolerance for barefoot winter running also has improved over the 3 years I ran through the winter without VFF's. First year was 40 degrees F, second year down to 33 degrees, and this year down to 27 degrees. What I noticed is that my feet get red from improved blood flow where they used to be white. I still can't run in snow yet though, maybe next winter.”
dutchie “I also noted a improvement to my temperature tolerance. I'm good now to about -15C not counting wind chill, but on compact snow and ice the tolerances have not changed. Only good to -3C to -5C there, fresh snow I will not even attempt anymore as that's how I got frostnip a few years ago. All in all it does give me a sense of well being knowing that low temperatures can be tolerated in the right conditions.”
Yvonne @ 12°F
The Challenge this year was all about MORE. We had more participants, more runs, more mileage, and more COLD. Records were set for the coldest and most miles ran. Thanks to everyone that participated in the Winter Challenge. It was fun to see so many step outdoors to run barefoot, in winter. Congrats to everyone that participated. It definitely pushed everyone to extend their barefoot capabilities. Until next winter … Bring on the heat.
Participants can add the 2013 Challenge stamp to their signature. Simply add it as an image in the ‘Signature’ section of your profile.
Barefoot YOW