Colorado Run Guides

COOL RUNNING: WINTER RACES IN COLORADO

Wintertime races are popular as well. Do not forget to register in advance, if you want to take part.

Emma Crawford Coffin Race (29 October 2022)

When Emma Crawford passed away from infectious diseases in 1889, she wished to be interred atop adjoining Red Mountain. Although her spouse obeyed her orders, storms tempt fate and let her casket crash down a mountaintop. Although Emma’s corpse was not discovered, the casket served as a focal point for this contemporary race in which participants dressed historically and rolled coffins up Manitou Avenue.

New Year’s Eve Resolution (27-29 January 2023)

The cherished Resolution Run in Washington Park is a well-established custom. The weekend will start off with energizing, sprinter’s top entertainment, snacks, and beverages. Continue the countdown at a local brewery in Wash Park, such as Grandma’s House on Broadway, after the race.

Colorado Cup Races (January 2023)

Leadville residents are challenging. Elite runners compete in the Leadville Mountain 100-mile race in Summer. Cold weather dwellers created a snowshoe race with distances of 2K, 5K, and 10K in an effort to compete.

Vail Mountain Winter Uphill (February 2023)

Guests visiting Vail are accustomed to sliding down peaks of the highest caliber. The situation is different in Feb, after competitors sprint 2,200 feet up a steep slope from Lionshead Village to the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola.

Some important tips

Choose the right shoes

The likelihood of getting injured in winter increases dramatically. The stability of the body becomes lower in warm weather. It is recommended to wear exceptionally high-quality sneakers for a run, the sole of which will not “harden” and will not crack from frost. It is important to pay attention to the depreciation of the purchased pair of shoes.

Sneakers should not sit tight on the leg, but be one and a half or even two sizes larger. This guarantees the presence of a layer of air that fills the free space. It will keep you warm and keep your feet warm. If the shoes are bought exactly in size, the feet may freeze.

Pick the right clothes

If in the warm season there are no problems with what to wear for a run, in winter everything is much more difficult. In order not to freeze, you need to warm up. Here comes the problem. Running, putting on a large number of things, is not only uncomfortable, but also hot. The first layer is thermal underwear, and the second – warm clothing that reliably protects from the cold. For the top, a tight, but not too insulated jacket is suitable, which does not allow moisture (snow) to pass through and protects from the wind. Such equipment must be supplemented with a hat and gloves.

Breathe through your nose

It’s quite difficult, but necessary. It is impossible to constantly breathe only through the nose, therefore it is allowed to periodically take in air through the mouth. However, this should be done as little as possible. The ideal “breathing system” is one where the runner inhales through the nose and exhales through the mouth. Otherwise, you can just chill the bronchi or lungs. To prevent this from happening, air should rarely enter through the mouth.

Do not go for a run in severe frost

The optimal temperature recommended for jogging is at least minus twenty degrees. It is not recommended to go running during a blizzard and snowfall. When there is a real frost outside the window or a snow storm breaks out, it is better to sit at home