Snowshoe Magazine: Ask the Coach - Pre-Season Training

My 'Ask the Coach' column in Snowshoe Magazine featuring tips on pre-season training for the snowshoe racing season.

Snowshoe Magazine: Ask the Coach - Downhill Running

The next installment of my 'Ask the Coach' column featuring tips on downhill running can be found at Snowshoe Magazine.

Snowshoe Magazine: Ask the Coach

My 'Ask the Coach' feature in Snowshoe Magazine on summer hydration.

Read article>>>

Snowshoe Magazine Feature: Ask the Coach

It’s May and time to start thinking about snowshoe season! Okay, so most of us may be lacking a little in the snow department where we live right now, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy the thoughts of the upcoming season, in addition to getting our bodies ready for next winter...

Read more >>>

Snowshoe Magazine: Sydenham Hosts Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race

The Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race was held on January 23, 2010 in Sydenham, Ontario, Canada.

Living in Eastern Ontario, you would think that the options for snowshoe races would be endless. Not so, as we usually have to travel to either Quebec or the northeast U.S.

It was with that in mind that we decided to host the first ever snowshoe race in Eastern Ontario...

Read more>>>

Snowshoe Magazine Gear Review: GU Energy Gels

Nothing is worse when out on the trails for a long snowshoe hike or run than bonking.

Bonking comes as a result of running out of fuel to your working muscles by not taking in enough calories during endurance events. This can range from a simple inconvenience that makes your snowshoe outing a little less fun all the way to being downright dangerous in extreme cases if caught a long distance out on the trail in cold conditions. If your body starts shutting down and quits operating as efficiently as normal, you can also become more prone to hypothermia or frostbite by not being able to generate as much heat...

Read more>>>

Snowshoe Magazine: The Perfect Snowshoe Run

The last three months have been a real struggle for me. I have been nursing a very stubborn knee injury that has prevented me from running very much at all. I’ve still been able to get out for short runs each day, but they haven’t been anywhere near as long as what I normally love to get in. And, I must say that an injured runner is a grumpy runner...

Read more>>>

Snowshoe Magazine: New Snowshoe Hotbed

The Eastern Ontario region, for one reason or another, has traditionally not been a hotbed for snowshoe racing. In the past, we have had to travel mostly to the North-East U.S. to find races.

With the increased popularity of snowshoeing and snowshoe racing, this is changing very quickly. This winter we now have our choice of seven different snowshoe races within a three hour drive. This is very exciting for snowshoe racers in our region....

Read more>>>

Snowshoe Magazine: Snowshoe season underway

Snowshoe season is officially underway now.

The first snowshoe race of the season began this past weekend a few hours to the north of us with the ever challenging Mad Trapper Snowshoe Race near Low, Quebec. It sounded like Mother Nature smiled upon the first race of Mike Caldwell’s popular race series and dumped a whack of fresh snow on the Gatineau Hills the week of the race...

Read more>>>

Snowshoe Magazine: Bring on the Snow!

Welcome back to another season at Snowshoe Magazine!

We are excited about the change in season and what is in store. As with previous years, Sara and I will once again be posting regular blogs here about our winter activities with a focus on Snowshoe Running and Racing. We thought we would start off by giving you a quick update of what we’ve been up to over the non-snowshoe season.

>>>Read more...

Snowshoe Magazine - Rock and Ice Ultra: A Real Gem of a Race

The following is an article I wrote for Snowshoe Magazine on the 2009 BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra.

------------------------------------------

High winds and ominous clouds added to the tension and uncertainty as participants waited for the start of the 2009 BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra. A total of 78 athletes were lined up on the start line, with many frantically doing last minute gear checks to make sure that they had the appropriate survival equipment needed for the duration of the race. In a harsh climate like Yellowknife, NWT in Canada’s north, a careless mistake not only affects how well your race will go, but can also be downright dangerous, possibly even life threatening...

..

To read the entire article, please click here>>

..
(Click here to download the pdf magazine version)

Snowshoe Magazine Gear Review: Gel-Bot

One of the most challenging things I’ve found about ultra running and long distance snowshoe racing is staying well nourished and hydrated. Taking in calories by way of energy gels is a very effective way of keeping your energy level topped up. However, the hassles of dealing with individual gel wrappers, in addition to the mess and impact on the environment, can make this less appealing. Throw in having to follow up your gel consumption with a slug of water and it’s easy to see that you sometimes feel like you are spending more time fueling and less time actually enjoying your run...

To read the full gear review, please click here>>

Thanks to Ashan at Cyclepath Kingston for providing the Gel-Bot for testing and requesting feedback.

Snowshoe Magazine Interview: Tom Sobal

This is the final installment in this season’s series of interviews with notable snowshoe personalities.

Tom Sobal is a true pioneer in the sport of snowshoeing, and was snowshoe running long before it became the popular winter activity that it is today. Tom has accomplished many extraordinary feats, both on and off the snow, including running the fastest marathon ever recorded on snowshoes. Tom’s passion is very evident and has inspired many in our sport...

read full interview > >

Snowshoe Mag Blog: Me and my buns

I love cinnamon buns. Always have. I think it goes back to when I was a kid and our family used to vacation at a cottage in Plevna. We would buy the best cinnamon buns from Mrs. Baker who lived on the hill (or was it Mrs. Hill who was a baker?). Anyhow, I am drooling while I am writing this. Even to this day, nothing tastes better to me after a long run than a gooey cinnamon bun and a dark roast coffee...

Read full blog >>

Snowshoe Magazine

The latest issue of Snowshoe Magazine was just sent out and Sara and I contributed a few articles.


Snowshoe Magazine Interview: Mike Caldwell
This is the fourth in a series of interviews with notable snowshoe personalities that we will be presenting throughout the season. Mike Caldwell is the race director of the Mad Trapper Snowshoe Series in Low, Quebec (about 40 minutes north of Ottawa, Ontario). He started the series six years ago, and has watched it grow and attract many of the area’s best runners, triathletes, cyclists and adventure racers. He makes his events fun for beginners as well as the more competitive types. His backcountry style races take in some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in Eastern Canada.
read full interview>>

Gear Review: Teko Socks
If you’re attracted to win-win situations for your feet and the planet, Teko makes the socks for you. They feel amazing to wear and offer great technical features, plus you can feel good about the company’s environmental ethics. Their motto and mission statement is: “best socks ON the planet; best socks FOR the planet”, and they certainly live up to that ideal
read full gear review>>

Rock and Ice Update #4: The Joy of Pulk Running

The history of the pulk (sled) dates back as long as humans have been living in winter conditions and needing to transport things over the snow. I never really thought much about them before signing up for the Rock and Ice Ultra, however I will have to run while pulling a pulk with all of my supplies in it for the entire six day race.

Pulks come in many shapes and sizes, from bulky expedition style to a baby carrier style. I am taking it one step further and am in the process of coming up with my own design. The concept is very basic (ie. inexpensive) and I am looking to use a simple child’s sled with poles attached to my waist to prevent the pulk from running into me while going down hills. It has been a fun process and being a bit of a gear geek, I’ve enjoyed tinkering and trying to find the perfect design for me. I’m current trying to attach dogsled runners to the bottom to allow it to track a little smoother.

I have to admit that initially I didn’t really think that I would enjoy the whole idea of pulling a heavy load behind me during a run. Before we got snow, I was preparing for what lay ahead by dragging an old car tire. This was tough work. I tried to have a better attitude about it by naming my tire, however no matter how much you try to lighten things up mentally, running with a tire roped to your waist isn’t much fun at all.

An interesting thing happened though as soon as the snow hit the ground and I was able to switch the tire for my pulk. The pulling was much easier and I was able to actually start enjoying my pulk runs and even looking for any excuse to run with it. From running to the store to get groceries to loading up for a full day of fun in the outdoors, I found that by running with my pulk, I had many more interesting ways to enjoy my runs.

Knowing that you are out there for possibly several hours at a time, it’s very comforting that you can pack a wide variety of extra gear in your pulk for any conditions. Need an extra layer of clothing, dry socks, switch from trail shoes to traction device to snowshoes, have a more substantial lunch than just a sport bar, or maybe a hot drink, grab a headlamp, go winter camping?

Pulk running opens up so many fun opportunities for winter adventures. The possibilities are truly endless.

Snowshoe Magazine

The latest issue of Snowshoe Magazine was just sent out and here are a few of the articles we contributed.


Snowshoe Magazine Interview: Dave Dunham
This is the third in a series of interviews with notable snowshoe personalities that we will be presenting throughout the season.Dave Dunham lives in Bradford, MA and is a pioneer in the sport of snowshoe racing in the Northeastern United States.

Dave has numerous top five finishes at the U.S. Snowshoe Running Championships, including winning in 2001. He is also a race director for three snowshoe races. Dave is a member of the La Sportiva Mountain Running Team and Central Mass Striders.
(Read full interview)

Gear Review: Nathan Storm Pack
Picture yourself out for a long hard snowshoe run or hike, working up a sweat, then trying to take a drink out of your water bottle, but nothing comes out. Drat! It’s frozen solid again. This has continually been a source of frustration for the avid snowshoer.
(Read full gear review)

Also, make a point of checking out my Mom's Call of the Wild article and my sister Debbie's Mountain Hardware gear review.

Snowshoe Mag: 19 years and still streakin'

I have always enjoyed Christmas. Not only is it a great time to spend with family and friends, it’s also the day each year that I celebrate my secret life as a streaker. Yes, you heard me right, as of Christmas Day, I have been streaking for 19 years and still going strong....

(Click here to read full blog)

Snowshoe Magazine and Sara's Blog

Here is a blog that Sara recently posted in the Athletes Blog section of Snowshoe Magazine...


Last March, Derrick took part in the BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra in Yellowknife, Canada. He had an amazing time doing the three-day K-Rock race, and came home inspired to return in 2009 and take on the six-day Diamond Ultra. The Diamond race involves running with a pulk (sled) full of all your food and gear.

He will be bringing along one additional thing this year that he had to leave home last time: Me. I’m going to be taking part in the K-Rock to experience it myself. I’m really looking forward to visiting Yellowknife, as northern culture has always intrigued me.
(click here to read full blog).
____________________________________________________

Sara's New Blog...

Sara has also started her own blog to share her training and preparations for Rock and Ice. Check it out at http://www.saratraining.blogspot.com/

Snowshoe Magazine

The latest issue issue of Snowshoe Magazine was sent out recently.

Sara and I contributed the following articles...

Snowshoe Magazine Interview: Keri Nelson (Nov 23, 2008):
This is the second in a series of interviews with notable snowshoe personalities that we will be presenting throughout the season.
Keri Nelson of Gunnison, Colorado was second at the 2007 USSSA Snowshoe Running Championships and then came back to win the 2008 race. (read full interview)

Gear Review: Moving Comfort Sports Bras (Nov 23, 2008):
Moving Comfort was established in 1977 when its founders wanted to make a line of workout clothing designed specifically for women’s bodies and movement. Since then, the company has stayed true to that vision, with their motto “A fit woman is a powerful woman." (read full gear review)

Gear Review: Petzl Ultra Belt Headlamp (Nov 23, 2008):
“Holy Smokes, that’s bright!” Those were the first words to come out of my mouth the first time I took the new Petzl Ultra Belt headlamp out for a test run. Well, okay, those weren’t actually the ‘exact’ words I said, but you get the idea. (read full gear review)

To receive a free monthly newsletter from Snowshoe Magazine, please click here.