Creemore Snow Run

[Chainsaw Baby]

Hi all.

The dust has settled and it looks like Sunday, January 24, 2010 will be a great day to run the trails! Expect either 2 feet of snow or raging floods. Either way should be exciting!

Details:

When: 09:00 SUNDAY January 24, 2010
What: 7.5K road and trail loop
Where: Creemore (See Creemore race on www.OUSER.org for directions)
Bring: Anything you need to run the distance you decide to run
AID: There will be one aid station with water, HEED and food
Heat: Bonfire and change room with sauna
Feet: bring snowshoes if you like. They help to pack trails!

I'm hoping to steal pottery from Lee Anne for prizes. Don't tell her! The race is open to anyone who wants to run 7.5K or more. This race might attract legends such as Ultraqueen, the Viking, Jim Morrison (the one that is alive) and Adam Hill. Show up and find out how to avoid becoming an ultra crazy!

[Doonst]

Sounds like fun!

[UltraQueenga]

One Viking and one UltraQueenga are definitely in!

If it's too mild and there will be no snow, then we'll bring flippers instead.
Looking forward to a winter run in and around Creemore!!

[Nature Girl]

Any slow folks expected?

[UltraQueenga]

Any slow folks expected?

We don't call them "slow", we call them "contemplative". Yes, I'm sure there will be a mix of people out there for the run. Are you coming?

[West Grey Runner]

Nature Girl

Being a BOPer could get you FOPer finish....wear the speedsters down by letting them break trail see you there!

[Nature Girl]

Can't say for sure yet... contemplating it.

WGR - you are a man with a plan.

[Chainsaw Baby]

Hey Nature Girl. In 2 feet of snow, we are all BOPers... Any time I have run with a group in deep snow, the other runners are very generous and ask if you would like to pass. In fact, they sometimes insist that you pass! Snow runs are atypical in that the pace is very slow and wanting to be out in front is akin to wanting a painful death...

The course starts on the Ganaraska trail along the Mad river, which is prone to drifting. I believe Spaff calls it postholing... I call it hyperventilating. I was caught in a snow slide one year and ended up in the river, stuck in snow. I recommend not straying too close to the river bank... After 2K of trail, there is about 3K of road, which will allow some recovery, but is uphill (a slight grade) for just over a kilometer. Then it is back to trail with a steep descent followed by a longish uphill. The final kilometer is dotted with little cliffs. Wear gloves as it is easier to climb up on all fours. Going down the cliffs is very simple, just close your eyes and run off the edge. Bring a camera; the impact crators look lovely in the snow!

Of course, I have to go last to make sure everyone is okay (quiet WGR).

[Nature Girl]

Sooo, I haven't really run on trails before in the winter. Anything I should know other than staying away from the river bank? I have Yak Trax - useful or pointless?

[UltraQueenga]

Sooo, I haven't really run on trails before in the winter. Anything I should know other than staying away from the river bank? I have Yak Trax - useful or pointless?

I found Yaktrax are useless in the snow. They can come off easily. I lost one last year in High Park and in the spring time I see a bunch of them on the trails. Yaktrax are ok on roads, but useless on trails with one ft of snow.

I suggest putting some roofing screws in an older pair of shoes. Somewhere on RM there's a thread and a link to a webpage with instructions on how to screw your shoes. Last winter I did a lot of mileage on trails and roads. Running in deep snow is a great workout and, as chainsaw baby says, we're all BOPers when running in the snow.

Hope to see you at the snow run!

[Chainsaw Baby]

Okay, update of trail running in Creemore:

Ran the course tonight. It was very interesting. Creemore has 6 inches of snow, so the first trail was a low speed high output run. Then I turned the corner into the wind. Wow! Instead of recovery on the dirt road, it was a heart mashing run into a gale force blizzard up a hill. By the time I reached the second trail, to put it delicately, recovery was not complete...

The second trail has some steep inclines on which I could not maintain an 8 minute K pace. Not pretty. The cliffs were fun as there was enough snow that falling wasn't a big concern. Near the end, my calves were cramping, something I have not experienced in a short (7.5K) run. Must have been pushing hard, but it is difficult to tell in the dark.

Overall? Great run. No face plants, I was able to run up one of the cliffs but had to use my hands for the steepest cliff. Rating:

[UltraQueenga]

Okay, update of trail running in Creemore:

Ran the course tonight. It was very interesting. Creemore has 6 inches of snow, so the first trail was a low speed high output run. Then I turned the corner into the wind. Wow! Instead of recovery on the dirt road, it was a heart mashing run into a gale force blizzard up a hill. By the time I reached the second trail, to put it delicately, recovery was not complete...

The second trail has some steep inclines on which I could not maintain an 8 minute K pace. Not pretty. The cliffs were fun as there was enough snow that falling wasn't a big concern. Near the end, my calves were cramping, something I have not experienced in a short (7.5K) run. Must have been pushing hard, but it is difficult to tell in the dark.

Overall? Great run. No face plants, I was able to run up one of the cliffs but had to use my hands for the steepest cliff. Rating:

Are you trying to scare us?
Escarpment + deep snow on trails + gale force winds = great run.

Hey, how about those 50ks at Base Borden? When are they again?

[West Grey Runner]

I had a vision....

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/9BR9gdKDCKVyBVqJ

[UltraQueenga]

That's hilarious, Ron! Laughed my head off!
You probably gave up on a 10k run to make that video. Tee hee hee!

[MINI-T]

Ron, that's THE BEST!

Could very well turn out that way (if there is actually snow on the ground that is!)

[UltraQueenga]

Snowbaaaaall fiiiiight!
I think there is snow in Creemore. It snowed there a while ago.

[Chainsaw Baby]

Amazing Ron!

Should I set up snowball forts along the trail? A prize for "most covered in snow"...Hmmm

There is about a foot of packed down snow (8 inches) along the trails. Running is good (I was going to say easy) and more snow in the forecast. So far, no sign of a January thaw.

Season's Greetings to all! May you find true traction along your running routes!

[Chainsaw Baby]

Okay, quick update.

We had about 2 feet of snow from Thursday to Monday (2010-01-04). Lee Anne and I snow shoed one of the trails to start packing it down. It should be a wonderful run! We will have HEED, but bring extra gel if you plan to make more than 4 loops (30K). An extra lung would help...

[Annelizabeth]

Ohhhh can I come?? Would love to do it twice... maybe three times if i'm feeling it. Sounds like tremendous fun.

[Chainsaw Baby]

Hi Annelizabeth. The run is open to everyone! The event will last 6 hours to attract legends such as ultra queen, Viking and WGR. In fact, rumour has it the amazing Ken Moon might be in attendance! I plan to run the 7.5K course only 2 - 3 times then relax with a glass of wine by the bonfire and CHEER on the LD runners.

Running in snow is actually a lot of fun. Even if you only plan to run 1 loop, there will be Creemore beer at the finish line, so no excuses. I snowshoed the starting trail and it will be quite compacted by Jan. 24, assuming we don't get another 3 feet of snow.

Sounds like a plan!

[UltraQueenga]

Ohhhh can I come?? Would love to do it twice... maybe three times if i'm feeling it. Sounds like tremendous fun.

The more the merrier!!
Hopefully we don't get another 3 ft of snow.
Looking forward to running in Creemore!!

[Chainsaw Baby]

Update: A group of us tried packing the second trail with snowshoes, but the snow is quite firm. It might be a bit slushy if the +4 forecast holds out for Sunday. There will be soup and buns around 1:00 PM with awards at about 2:00 (later if the weather is nice). Prizes (don't get your expectations too high!) for most time out front, loudest complaints, most spectacular fall, getting lost and of course, getting eaten by wolves.

The river should be high, but not covering the bonfire pit.

I found some finishing medals, so any suggestions as to what "SW" stands for? Snow Wander?

[UltraQueenga]

I was wondering if Creemore had a thaw like we did here in Toronto. All the snow here is pretty much gone. No loss, if you ask me.
The forecast looks like the thaw continues in Ontario, so I guess slushy or hard snow. Note to self: bring screwshoes.
It will be a run to remember, for sure.
"SW" stands for "Slightly Woozy" or "Wobbly" after running up and down those trails and roads around Creemore.

We should probably start a list of who's doing the Snow Run, so you have an idea of how many maniacs to expect from this board.

Definitely insane (certified), incurable
The Viking
Ultraqueenga

Possibly insane (certifiable)


What's a Snow Run?

[Doonst]

We should probably start a list of who's doing the Snow Run, so you have an idea of how many maniacs to expect from this board.

Definitely insane (certified), incurable
The Viking
Ultraqueenga

Possibly insane (certifiable)
Doonst -could happen, knee willing

What's a Snow Run?

[jdbegin]

We should probably start a list of who's doing the Snow Run, so you have an idea of how many maniacs to expect from this board.

Definitely insane (certified), incurable
The Viking
Ultraqueenga

Possibly insane (certifiable)
Doonst -could happen, knee willing
JD

What's a Snow Run?