La Sportiva Winter Running Mojo; Hobnail Video, Photo Contest, and Hobnail Giveaway WInners

Wednesdays in December will remain La Sportiva winter running contest days, and at the conclusion of this post I’ll award two of the La Sportiva hobnail kits that I mentioned in my Winter Running grand prize giveaway introduction last week. And thanks to several readers, I’ve also got a healthy dose of winter mojo to help you get out the door now that winter’s closing in.


But first, a couple of points of clarification …

1) I was mildly surprised at the number of people who commented that they had no idea what hobnails were, and more than mildly stoked to find a cool video created by La Sportiva to demonstrate the advantages of wearing hobnail spikes on your winter running shoes. It’s a cool little 3-minute video that also manages to bridge the normally disparate worlds of rally car racing and recreational running.

“La Sportiva presents: A.T. Grip Spike System” (click to play):



See? All you have to do is screw those little babies onto your shoes, and you’ll take off like a race car. When you do, you’ll need some GTX shoes to keep you warm and dry – which brings us to point #2 …

2) Sign up for the grand prize giveaway! Remember, there are 4 pairs of shoes up for grabs – one Crossover GTX and one Wildcat GTX for a male reader, and the same thing for a female reader. Enter the contest by e-mailing me a photo of your winter running adventures. So to all of you who left a comment on the gloves giveaway post (still time to enter, by the way) describing the frosty conditions you run in: bring a camera next time, and send me an entry to the contest – and then improve your chances by writing about the picture or linking to the original contest post. Honestly, it’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds.

**

OK then - on to this week’s photo entries. I loved the variety of entries that came in from all over the country, and I chose a few favorites here to demonstrate how cool winter running can be (at least, that’s what winter runners tell me). I’m also turning over the narration of these photos to the people who submitted them, with just a few comments thrown in here and there before announcing hobnail winners at the end.

This entry is from Kirstie, who writes: This was my first winter trail race and there was a foot of new snow on the ground the morning of the race. It was an 8k trail race on a VERY hilly course. It was tough and I considered giving up but I’m glad I finished it. Finishing this race inspired me and I actually went home and ran 9 more miles in the snow. I am either looking down or my eyes are closed (it figures) but I still like the pic.

(Nine more miles in the snow after running a race? The hardcore bar has been set.)



From Shelley: Often, ultrarunners have to face weather situations that are treacherous or downright dangerous during a race. But those of us who live near the Great Lakes know that even training in winter can be playing Russian Roulette. But we soldier on, all in the name of seeing what is on the other side of the finish line.

(The lesson: If you’re equating your training to Russian Roulette, be sure to bring some others along with you; it decreases your odds of being the first to die.)



From Richard: If I want to get there, I need to train. Training means running in the cold whatever the temperature. Running means being able to get to a remote, isolated ice wall. Running means being able to survive the experience. Thanks to La Sportiva, I can run and climb efficiently and safely.

(Richard’s got a future in writing website copy. And the hardcore bar has officially been raised.)



From Bryan: Winter running in the mountains gives one the opportunity to get above the dreary clouds to revel in the sunshine and to watch the waves of gray kiss the peaks (picture is me on Bear Peak near Boulder in my Wildcat GTX). It's one of the few times of the year when running higher may even secure warmer temperatures. No matter what, winter running always provides a surprise on the trails, whether its fresh bear tracks on the trail, the spectacular glitter of snow sparkling in the sun, or the gift and appreciation of experiencing the coldest wind ever to wash over one's body. I love to drop my intentions and simply let the winter trails tow me to enlightenment, and my LaSportiva Wildcat GTX are my chariots to get there.

(And now the website copy bar has been raised. Definite bonus points here for wearing Wildcat GTXs.)



From Justin: I love winter running because during the first big snow, when everyone is cooped up inside staying warm, I am the only one outside in a sea of white powder. I can run for hours just smiling and enjoying the peaceful side of running. And on the rare chance I do see another person, it’s another runner and we both give each other that knowing smile: the one where both of us know that we are dedicated and passionate enough to see the true beauty of running in a blizzard. It’s pure bliss.

(Or, it might be the “I can’t believe there are TWO of us who are this freaking crazy” smile – it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference.)


From Travis: From November 22 - 23, Salt Lake City fell victim to one of the worst blizzards in recent memory. Meteorologists were predicting white out conditions and freezing temperatures, and strongly urged everyone to stay indoors and off the roads. I was getting restless that evening and decided to venture out on a run with my camera. There wasn't much snow, but it was bitterly cold. Downtown was completely deserted. I tried to capture some of that emptiness in my photos, but my hands would get so cold that I could only bear to keep my camera out for a few minutes at a time. When I look at these shots, all I think is "brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr”. Scenes like these are a big motivation for me to head outdoors in the cold.

(Egads - my fingers are cold just thinking about taking this photo.)


*Author’s note before the next photos: I asked for icy beard photos, and I got them. My readers are awesome.


From Joey: Last winter, Charlottesville was blessed with record snowfalls. Blizzard-like conditions and feet of fresh powder turned what would otherwise be ordinary trail runs into epic adventures. Later on in the year I was able to survive the hottest runs of the summer by imagining the trails as they had been on those unforgettable December romps through the snow and counting the days until winter's return. Well, I was greeted on today's run by a fresh coat of frost on the leaf-covered ground . . . It's back.

(OK ... technically there’s more ice in his hair than on his beard, but that counts.)



From Aaron: I love when the gear you are wearing is working well. When other people can't fathom why you'd be out in the cold wet wilderness I love picking out the right stuff to wear and heading out. I took this picture last year after a wet snowy run. A lot of the snow had already melted off.

(He mentioned gear, but didn't say La Sportiva ... maybe he needs a lesson from Richard and Bryan above. Sweet beard, though.)


So are you psyched for winter running yet? If not, here are two more photos to send you off into the cold – and they also happen to be the two winners of this week’s hobnail giveaway:


From Martin: This “winter” photo is from the Old Gabe 50K in late June! I love winter running. It's a real change of pace and makes me focus more on efficient running form. I ran 12 miles a couple of days ago. It snowed the entire time, with beautiful powder that was like running in beach sand. Pushing the pace is a waste of energy, so I’m able to be patient and enjoy the scenery.

(Amazing – but just the same, I’m putting Old Gabe on my list of races to avoid in June.)

Our last winner impressed me the most:


From Chad: Living in Minnesota, winter running is inevitable. If you haven't had to take off your gloves to unfreeze your frozen eyelashes so you could open your eyes, you haven't run in the winter. This picture was taken at a turkey trot in mid-November. My son and I had to run a 5K (he ran the one-mile event) in 8 inches of new snow with no plowing of the course.

(When I asked Chad how old his son is, he told me he’s 7. I just made a rule: If you’re seven years old and tough enough to run in a blizzard like this, you’re winning a pair of hobnails. So Chad’s kid is this week’s first place winner; maybe he’ll let Dad borrow his prize sometime).

To Chad and Martin: e-mail me your contact info so I can pass them along to my La Sportiva rep, and we'll get your hobnails in the mail soon. A very big thanks to everyone else who sent pictures - I've already saved a couple more of my favorites from this batch as frontrunners for next week's contest - and special thanks to La Sportiva for sponsoring all of this winter inspiration. Keep sending me your photos for two more hobnail giveaways next week, and for entry into the grand prize awards on December 22.

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