Winter Running

Winter Running

The winter season is in full swing here in the valley. Both Winter Park and Fraser have their holiday lights up, snow is on the ground, and the resort opened today. Depending on how much snow we get, it will be interesting to see how well I am able to keep up the running over the winter. The plan, as mentioned prior, is to get in as much telemark and cross-country skiing as possible to keep up a solid fitness. However, I plan on running still a couple times a week. I did the standard 8 mile Creekside/Fools/Flume loop the other day, which normally takes me between :54 and 1:08 (:54 is my PR, :58 is my average, and 1:08 is my slowest), and it took me 1:08 to complete. With anywhere from 3" to 10" of snow on the trail, my time was significantly slowed despite feeling really good. However, snow running does require more work, and also works the legs slightly differently (almost like running on the beach, with more calf muscle use), so a slower time is expected. Either way, it will be interesting to see what I can pull together. Today we skied around 20,000' at the resort. 20,000' of lunges gets a nice burn in the quads going, that is for sure.

Two Winter Trail Running Options: Magnolia Road and NCAR Road

We have been getting some really nice days here along the Front Range of Colorado. Although the mountains continue to get snow (and we have a couple new movies in the works although I sure like our last telemark movie), down low here along the Front Range the sun has been shining and the snow has failed to hit the ground.

Although my winter training run is one that I can run from home, sometimes I break it up to get in some bigger hills, or to get in a little altitude. There are two runs I'd like to share today that most people know about, but for some reason fail to think of as good runs: The NCAR Road and Magnolia Road.

The NCAR Road run simply the road that turns from Table Mesa Drive into the NCAR road and takes you up the mesa to NCAR. Straight up, then straight down. This is not a run you would do any other time, but if it is snowy out - or in my case - if it is dark, this run is an excellent option. 1.5 miles one way, I generally do around three laps on it for a session (around 9 miles and a couple hundred feet in elevation gain). You can run along the side of the road on the dirt, which is free of holes, rocks, or anything else allowing you to run at night. The view of Boulder from the top at night is great. I did this several times over December and January when the light was fleeting.

The other great run for winter trail run training is Magnolia Road. At 15.33 miles long, this high mountain dirt road is an excellent one to put in some good miles at altitude during the winter months (note: I would never run this in summer as the road gets dusty and there are many better options once the snow melts out). Tara and I did this last week in reverse, starting from the Peak-to-Peak Highway pull out just past Nederland back along the road until you hit pavement. Then you turn around and make the run back to the car. If you go all the way, you are looking at 30 miles on dirt at 8,000-9,000 feet; not bad for a February training run! Below is a map of the Magnolia Run from Map My Fitness. I never use the site, but it does put out some cool maps for training purposes.



So, if you are in need of some running options in the Boulder area during winter, and the trails are snow covered or it is night, try the NCAR Road or Magnolia Road. They are sure to keep your training strong and on track.

The Winter Training Run: Trail Running Out in Eldorado

Well, fall has finally hit here in B-Town. This fall we have been blessed with cool nights, warm days, and a ton of perfect weather. It has been a great fall for trail running and climbing - from up high on the Peak-to-Peak and in Rocky Mountain National Park to down lower in the Flatirons and along the I-70 corridor. Now, however, the seasons are a changing. We've had a small snow in the mountains, and most trails above 10,000 feet are shut down for the season. Besides, the telemark skiing season is just warming up and the winter climbing season is fast approaching. So now is the time to set the winter training run.

Every fall I try and establish a good trail run that I train on during the winter. By setting, I mean that I run it a couple times during the fall to establish what my normal training pace is on it at that time. Coming off another successful season in the mountains, with over 47 peaks run or climbed this season, it is a good way to measure my status over the winter and to see where I am at come spring.

This winter I'm running out in the Eldorado area. Starting at the South Boulder Creek Trail, run that up to the Mesa Trail. Continue up the Mesa Trail west past the turn-off to the Big Bluestem all the way into Shadow Canyon. At the top of Shadow Canyon, cross the little stream and start heading back east. This trail winds around and then drops you back onto the Mesa Trail. Hang a right, head back south along the Mesa Trail, and retrace your run back to the Big Bluestem turn-off. From here, follow the Big Bluestem out into the grasslands again and back to your car.

Total time for training purposes: 1 hour, 10 minutes. Miles: ~7.6 Elevation: A good amount.

This is not a super fast time, nor is it a slow time. It's about how fast I do it with 65% effort - just perfect for training over the winter.

So that is the Winter Training Route. Not only is it a beautiful run - today I saw rabbits, a hawk, a herd of mule deer, a family of ducks - but it has a good climb in it.

On the way out this is the view I was blessed with after.

Anyone else got winter training runs in the area?