Author Archives: Derrick Spafford

About Derrick Spafford

ALL POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR:

Dion Eastern Ontario Snowshoe Running Series

875_1

The inaugural season of the Dion Eastern Ontario Snowshoe Running Series was a tremendous success with top competition, three unique and very different race venues, and many first time participants trying out the sport of snowshoe running. Male and female series champions would be crowned after the third and final race with each receiving a pair of Dion Running Snowshoes. Random draws for Dion snowshoes and many other prizes would also be given out courtesy of our generous race sponsors.

Continue reading →


Hydro Flask Bottle Warms the Snowshoer’s Heart

771_2

I usually don’t tend to get too excited about water bottles. Sure, I have some great water bottles in my house that I like to use, but most are very similar to the next: Meaning that they are plastic and you can drink out of them.  One big exception is the Hydro Flask bottle.

Continue reading →


Mountain Safety Research

Ask the Coach: Pre-Season Training

703_1

Question:

I am now an avid snowshoe runner first and a trail runner second. I hate to see the snow melt in the spring.

How can I train through the summer months to be a stronger/faster snowshoe runner in the winter? Can you please give me some workouts that might help for the next snowshoe season.

- Gilles P.

Continue reading →


Gear Review: Tanda Professional Restore

680_1

Light therapy and low intensity laser therapy is not new, having been tested and used for quite some time. In recent years however, the popularity of these forms of treatments have increased significantly with those wanting to find an effective, non-invasive and drug-free alternative to traditional forms of therapy. Some of the conditions that respond well to treatment include: arthritis, tendonitis, sprains and strains, and repetitive strain injuries.

Continue reading →


Ask the Coach: Running Downhill

679_1

Question:

I just completed my first organized trail run and have a question about running downhill.  My body naturally adjusts when I’m running uphill, but once I start the downhill, I can’t figure out how to run so I’m not putting too much pressure on my knees or my quads. What should I be focusing on when I’m running downhill to run quickly and efficiently?

-Deborah R.

Continue reading →


Yukon Charlies Winter Systems

Ask the Coach: How to Stay Well Hydrated

673_1

Question:

I am wondering how to stay well hydrated for longer trail runs during the summer, especially when training for ultramarathons. I see photos of runners running with a single bottle and wondering if they just make do as that certainly can’t be enough fluid on a hot day?

- Chris S.

Continue reading →


Get Adobe Flash player

Ask the Coach: Trail Running Season is Here

Snowshoe Magazine

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.

Continue reading →


Get Adobe Flash player

Sydenham Hosts Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race

621_1

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.

Continue reading →


ORS Snowshoes Direct

Gear Review: GU Energy Gels

599_1

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.

Continue reading →


Talus Outdoor Technologies - ColdAvenger Pro

Snowshoe season underway

Snowshoe Magazine

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.

We don’t tend… Continue reading →


Rock and Ice Ultra: A Real Gem of a Race

511_2

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. 

Continue reading →


Thermal Bar

Snowshoe Magazine Interview: Tom Sobal

499_2

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.

Continue reading →


eVitamins

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.

Continue reading →


Gear Review: Gel-Bot

513_1

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.

Continue reading →


Gear Review: Nathan Storm

459_1

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.

Continue reading →


Gear Review: Salomon Winter Boots

501_1

When snowshoe running, the high impact, heat-generating nature of the activity means that you typically can get by using trail or running shoes and gaiters. For hiking on extremely cold days, something warmer and more protective of the elements will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable outing. Salomon makes winter boot options that work well for snowshoeing. They are functional, fit exceptionally well and are relatively light.

Continue reading →


Mountain Safety Research

Gear Review: Suunto X10

470_1

For the most part, I never really thought that I needed a GPS watch for my snowshoe running workouts. I have used them in the past while running on roads and trails and found them useful to gauge the speed and distance of my runs. However, with snowshoe running, so much is different than road running that I didn’t see the point. That is, until I started thinking about safety factors and other possible features. Continue reading →


Snowshoe Magazine Interview: Dave Dunham

460_3

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.

Continue reading →


Gear Review: Petzl Ultra Belt Headlamp

443_2

“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. Continue reading →


Yukon Charlies Winter Systems

Snowshoe Magazine Interview: Keri Nelson

445_1

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.

Continue reading →


Get Adobe Flash player

Snowshoe Magazine Interview — Mark Elmore

This is the first in a series of interviews with notable snowshoe personalities that we will be presenting throughout the season.

Mark Elmore is the sports director for the United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) and a familiar face in the U.S. and International snowshoe running scene.

Continue reading →