Ice Running Shoes for pennies !!

Now that the roads and paths are coated with sheets of glassy ice I thought I'd share this idea that I saw on line a while ago that lets you carry on running despite the underfoot conditions being deadly.

If you want to carry on running when it gets icy one option is to buy grips that fit over running shoes such as Wintertrax or Yaktrax, but I've no idea how comfortable they are to run in or if they stay in place. Another option is to buy spikes that you can put into the soles of running shoes,  like those sold by www.icespike.com, which have the advantage of giving grip without having to stop and start to put on grippers, but these are £15 per pack of 32.

The option I used was to buy a pack of 100 hex head self tapping screws for about £4, the ones I bought were 13mm long with a 7mm head like these -

Then I dug out a pair of old running shoes and using a drill and the driver head shown in the picture (it's much easier that trying to do it by hand), I screwed them in to the sole of the shoe at various points -

I thought that they would be uncomfortable to run in and would be felt pushing through but they are completely un-noticable. I would avoid putting any through the sole immediately under the balls of your feet though.

I have used them a lot while I wouldn't run at 7 minute miles in them they do give superb grip letting me run over frozen puddles & icy tarmac without any problem, something that if I had tried in normal shoes would have resulted in my looking like bambi. And when the ice disappears and conditions are normal underfoot you still don't notice the screws.

One other word of warning - don't wear them in the house if you have wooden or laminate flooring !!

Progress Report

My return to running has not been as smooth as I would have hoped and has been sporadic due to a number of unavoidable factor and I've managed 8 runs since the start of September when I did the run I mentioned in my previous post. 

Training has been interrupted by an ingrown toe nail on my left big toe, which stopped me running for a while, then 2 weeks ago I opened a door in the house whilst barefoot, right on to my wee toe, completely peeling the skin right off it. This took ages to heal and I've only just started walking properly. And work has also been a major detractor from training, much to my annoyance.

On the positive side my running was improving, I usually aim to run the club 8 mile route at a speed of 8mph, and whilst I started back at 6.5mph, I was quickly up to 7.6mph & keeping up with people that previously had been leaving me standing as they ran into the distance. I still have a long way to go though....

I've also managed one longer run into the hills taking in the following route -

 

It was a beautiful day and the route started easily enough with a gentle jog up the glen -

 

then a steep climb up to the rolling tops before a steep descent and a flat jog back to the car.

The day ended up being about 22 miles and with the last few miles being a struggle, a shock to the system for both me and Cody- but he slept well that night .....

Also managed a reasonable run of sorts during a recent visit to Aviemore. Kim and I took the bus up to the Cairngorm Car Park from Coylumbridge then ran back through the Chalamain gap via the Lairig Ghru.

It was about 12 miles with a mixture of walking and running on a relatively fair day, but we did get hit with a horrendous downpour in driving rain just as we crested out of the Gap. Somebody really should clear up all those stones that are lying around - they're a trip hazard !!!

  

The rain was the only blemish on an otherwise great day (although Kim's skinned knees may disagree!). I didn't find it at all taxing, which is promising and the best bit about it was - it was all down hill !!

I'm off Monday - Wednesday next week so hope to try and get in another long run then...

 

It's gonna be tough !

Well, got back from holiday 5kg heavier than I was before I left and on Tuesday went to my running club for the first time since January. The club does a selection of 3 routes - 6, 8 & 10 miles. I would normally do the 8, but my main objective was to get round the 6 without walking, which I achieved (nothing to be proud of though). 

6.8 miles were completed in 1 hour 2 minutes, and I doubt I could have gone faster - surely it can only get better !!!

The legs were pretty tired on Wednesday, but Kim, Cody and I drove up to Skye, parked at Sligachan and walked in to Loch Coruisk to camp. Even though it was an easy walk I found it tough going with a big pack.

Kim & Cody with Marsco on the left. We were heading for the far side of the peak just visible in the middle. Great weather - at that point ......

We woke on Thursday morning to horrendous weather, honestly don't think I've ever seen rain like it before. Fortunately the howling gale that accompanied the rain was at our backs as we walked straight back to the car. Paths were now streams and trickles of water we hadn't even noticed the previous day, now took serious care to cross.

This was only a couple of stepping stones the day before.

We were all soaked to the skin when we finished so lunch and a change of clothes at the Sligachan Hotel were extremely welcome. We then headed to Applecross where we had a worrying moment as my right (i.e. braking) leg cramped up as we came down the Bealach na Ba !

All in all a tough 3 days for me unfit legs, but it's a start although highlights how much work I have ahead to get back in shape.

I'm Back .......

After an unenjoyable 6 months of running in 2011, I pretty much stopped running. I think I've ran probably no more than 50 miles in total since 2011's WHW !But after having some time off I think I've overcome the reluctance and apathy to train (not that I did much anyway !) and have decided to start again. 

I don't think I'll do the WHW in 2013, but will probably do 4 - 5 shorter ultras throughout the year, give me targets to aim for. I usually do the WHW then stop for 6 months so this should keep my interest up.

I've missed the long training runs with the dog, the meeting up with friends at races and the fitness that came with the miles. So, off on holiday on Monday for 2 weeks of sun, then when I come back I'm gonna ease back into the miles.....