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Barefoot Running in the Snow: Lessons From Storm Emma
Just when I thought I’d made it through winter, the “Beast From the East” struck the UK, bringing sub-zero temperatures, howling winds, and several days of snow. I assumed barefoot running would be a no-go in these conditions, but it’s amazing what feet can handle. Some observations from my first winter as a barefoot runner:
1. Packed-down, firm snow is an excellent barefoot running surface. It’s stable, smooth, and doesn’t even feel particularly cold. Feet don’t sink into it, which means they stay mostly dry and warm.
2. Fresh powdery snow is fun to run in, but colder and hard work if it’s deep. However, you get the satisfaction of leaving human footprints in the snow.
3. Slush/half melted snow is awful. It’s freezing cold. In fact, if the snow has been salted, the liquid water may even be below 0C/27F, as salt lowers the melting point of water. Every step soaks your feet, and the soft lumps of melting snow are unstable underfoot. I can cope with slush for very short distances, but it is so much colder than running on actual snow.
4. Skinners slipped into the back of my running tights make good emergency…