Thursday, January 12, 2012

Snow Run * YakTrax Review

Our winter has officially started... on Jan. 12.  I can't remember a winter that has been this mild.  While I was enjoying the mild --almost springlike-- temperatures, it was also exciting to have a snow day.  The kiddos were at the window this morning with a twinkle in their eye.  The school kids were giddy and playful when they stepped off the afternoon bus.  And I was waiting at the door the minute hubby returned from work... dressed to kill run.

It was 19 degrees, windy, still snowing... but I was headed out to play. My husband looked at me like I was crazy.  In fact, I think he actually said it.  With a wave, I was off down the road.  Neighbors were out snowblowing and shoveling.  Cars inched along in appropriate "first snow of the year" style.  I ran my airport loop, that I knew was low traffic.  The roads weren't plowed very well, so it was pretty fun "breaking trail," just like we used to do on snowmobiles back in Wisconsin.  Once I started running, it didn't feel very cold at all, but the wind did hurt.  I was thankful for my new Under Armour pullover with a built-in baklava to keep my face protected.

Three miles in the snow (with hills) felt more like five.  With snow, you have to pick your feet up a bit more.  No shufflin' here!  I trudged along pretty well, keeping my average pace around 10:30 even with a couple photo stops.  Absolutely Exhilarating!


Santa left me YakTrax Pro in my stocking and I was pretty excited to give them a test run today.  Following package size chart, I have a size small.  It took some muscle to stretch them over my size 9 Asics.  The fit was snug, but also no worry that they were going to slip off.

YakTrax Pro boasts the ability to run on slick surfaces with the same stability as dry surfaces.  The frame that wraps around your shoe is made with heavy duty natural rubber with abrasion resistant 1.4mm steel coils that criss-cross on the underside of your shoe.  During my snow run, I never felt a moment of slickness.  In fact, I had no fear of falling whatsoever.  I'm curious how they will feel on actual ice.  The snow we had today was pretty "packy."


Remember that left ankle/foot I twisted back at Thanksgiving?  Halfway through my snow run, I felt that still-healing muscle across the top of my foot.  The YakTrax coils on the bottom were right down the center of the shoe... almost encouraging my foot to slant towards the outside (I'm a natural over-pronators anyway). It didn't bother my right foot, but my already-injured left foot didn't like it.  With that in mind, I'm not sure how many miles I could actually run in these while still nursing that injury.

All in all, I was happy with the YakTrax Pro function.  They're easy to put on and take off my shoe.  And they certainly gave me a sense of security as I ran through the snow.  For the $20 retail tag, they are definitely worth the purchase! There's nothing like having the sense of freedom that you can run - regardless of the white ground cover.  Old Man Winter, you will not slow me down!


24 comments:

  1. AWESOME!!! You look so cute in the pink! I wonder if we are going to get snow at all in Oregon this year.

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  2. I LOVE my Yaktrax! I couldn't run without them. (at least three to four months out of the year! You look so cute!

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  3. You are totally rocking the look - love the pink and black! You must have looked great running in the contrasting snow! & I love my Yak Trax too!!! They help so much!

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  4. Lose look awesome and make actually make running in the snow and cold some fun! Thanks for the review!

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  5. Nice! I may have to pick up a pair. And I love that shirt with the built in face-cover. You are set for winter!

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  6. hope the ankle is ok. Those look cool! LOVE your outfit...so cute :)

    WOuld you please send me a care package of the white stuff?? LOL

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  7. ooh...I need to put these on my wish list!! :)
    Great job getting out there in the snow!

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  8. The 27 degrees, dry, with clear blue sky that I ran in yesterday looks positively tropical compared to your run! You looked fabulous. I love that you got out there and ran in the snow and cold.

    Oh, and I'm a size 9 too. Does that make us Sole Sisters, haha?

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  9. Oooh I've been wondering how these are! I live in Saskatchewan (aka Canadian prairies) and it's winter from October/November-March/April. I get so bored running on the treadmill/track all winter, so this might be a product for me! I'm wondering how they are on ice though. Off to do research! Thanks for this!

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  10. Love it! Think of how inspiring you must've been to passers-by: all pink and black and getting it done.

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  11. I'm headed out to run in the snow today

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  12. I wish I had some of those!!!!!! they look awesome :)

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  13. It just snowed here for the first time too! It took me an hour and a half to get to work when it takes usually 25 minutes or so. I want my mild winter back!

    Winter won't keep my husband and I from running outside either! We actually have a 5K race tomorrow so we'll see how that goes, we might not be racing just running.

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  14. Awesome!!! I've been meaning to get myself a pair, but with this winter not cooperating weather wise I haven't needed them. Can't wait to hear what you think of them on actual ice if you get the chance.

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  15. Very cool, Jess! We have a mild winter here so far, but great to know those don't cost too much! I'd love a pair for running on days like that

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  16. Very cool socks! Living in AL means, never having to wear yaktrax, but they make you look super tough. They could also double as a weapon. Growing up, I always fought my four big brothers by kicking them while lying on my back.

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  17. Cool "snow shows"!!! I'm impressed you run in those conditions! People inVA don't even leave their house if it snows :)

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  18. I bought some Yak Trax because of your review, and I thought they worked great as far as not slipping at all, and I ran 13.1 on the Rock Island Trail today (very, very tough). One comment I would make is that the bottoms of my feet were super-sore after about 10 miles, so I am not sure that they are intended for very long runs. I am really excited to be able to extend my outdoor running, though. Anything but the treadmill.

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  19. Lots of the runners here in MN are big Yak Trax fans, too! Glad you love them!!

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  20. I got some Yak Trak but I to have not gottent to use them yet, with the mild temps. Love your UnderArmour top and shoe are to die for. I all about things matching.

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  21. I have only walked with my YakTrax, great review for running. AND YOU ARE A DOLL!! Love your matching outfit--you inspire me to be more stylish!!

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  22. I had to run in Yak Trak's last January, for the ultra (8 inches of fresh snow overnight). While they are brilliant in concept, they didn't work well for that specific race. I'm not blaming Yak's for the issue, about 500 runners were sporting them on an icy, off road trail, with new snow.... the trak's are not forgiving on uneven ground and for some they kept falling off. Most of us ditched our trak's and ran on the slippery ground.

    I chose to remove mine only because I didn't like the feel of the 'ground strike' and didn't want to be preoccupied for 33 miles.

    We haven't had any snow this winter... but I do have a pair so I can continue running on my favorite trail, if needed.

    Glad you enjoyed them!

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  23. Where did you get your pullover? I've looked everywhere for something like that!

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