If you read my blog for any length of time, you’ll quickly pick up that I run and that I run all year long.
If you’re clever, you’ll put two and two together realizing that I live in Columbus, Ohio and running all year long means I’m running in:
- Snow
- Ice
- Cold-ass temperatures
I don’t swear a lot on the blog partly for professional reasons and partly because I know it turns some people off (though I don’t understand it, I respect it). However some situations really do call for the need of a curse word. Running outside when the temp or windchill is in the single digits, is one of those times.
Another thing that you’ll pick up reading my blog is that I love my YakTrax. Love them. Without them I would not be running outside in the winter.
A few months ago I noticed that YakTrax was running a contest on their Facebook Page, all you had to do to enter was submit a picture that showed why you should be considred to be a sponsored athlete.
Oh I submitted a picture alright. Of me running through a bunch of snow from my first race ever.
Next thing I know YakTrax contacted me to tell me that I got picked! I am one of YakTrax’s Sponsored Atheltes for the 2010-2011 Winter Season.
YaY!!
As a YakTrax sponsored athlete I get to try out all of YakTrax products and they also included some hand warmers to get me through the winter season.
Not pictured are the YakTrax XRT’s which are a little more intense of a product that would be great for trail running or trail hiking. I will be receiving those shortly.
I’m a sponsored athlete until March of 2011 and all I have to do is check in with YakTrax and keep them updated on my training.
The YakTrax arrived just in time because Christmas morning I woke up to fresh powder for my morning run. Under all that fresh snow is packed down ice. The roads in my hood don’t get salted or plowed. I don’t know why but they don’t which means that I’m usually running on snow and ice all winter long.
Quick glimpse of my new YakTrax Pros that I wore for my run. Don’t mind the timing chip still on my shoes.
The YakTrax Pro’s have a strap going across the top of the shoe that provides a little bit more structure to help keep the YakTrax in place. These updated YakTrax are a tad different than the ones I had been using and these new ones are a lot easier to put on. They stretch a little easier and there is more of a grip in the back that aids in sliding them on.
I’m totally prepared for winter running now! Let’s get it done!
What about you, are you still running and training outside this winter?
Disclaimer: I’m a YakTrax Sponsored Athlete for 2010-2011 Winter Season. YakTrax sent me these products for free and in exchange I’m to post about my winter training. The opinions, comments, and thoughts on my training and the YakTrax products are all my own.
That’s so cool! I’m definitely looking forward to your posts about running in the snow. I’ve thought about getting snowshoes since that’s supposed to burn a ton of calories, but I’ve never looked into the YakTrax. I think I’d want them just to walk out to the mailbox and back!
Jealous! That sounds like a sweet dealio! Congrats on getting picked!! I have only run outside twice – and both were on days that the snow had melted. I’m kind of nervous to run in the snow. But I’ve heard good things about those YakTrax!!
I’ve been looking into getting some Yaktrax, and I was considering the Pros. I like the strap on top of this shoe — it’s seemed sturdier. I’m glad to hear that you’ve tried them out and they work well. I will be ordering some soon! I do like to run all winter long.
I am so excited for you!! I can’t wait to hear about those hand warmers. I saw them the other day at Fleet Feet and meant to pick some up.
What a score!!!!!! Congratulations again – I honestly don’t know anyone better suited for the job!
As far as cold weather training – you know I’m a big wuzz. Sowrong, I know.
But truth be told I’ve been sosick I’ve barely moved for over a week. Boo!!!
That’s so cool! I love my YakTrax, too!
that’s awesome! We LOVE our YakTrax – it’s the only way we can hike here in the winter! They’re extremely helpful when we’re hiking up to see the frozen waterfalls – those trails are ice all the way to the top. Love them.
Woot Woot!! That is soo cool.
First of all Congrats on being picked for YakTrax. Love them, I train in AZ, so no snow for me, but I am from South Dakota and YakTrax and the glove would have been WONDERFUL when I lived there. Good luck on your winter runs
How lucky are you? Looks like they made a great pick! You can bet your frozen behind I’m out there freezing mine as well!
yahh!!! i love my yaktrax, though they are not needed in FL, i have them waiting in KC for all my runs
This is great!! How awesome for you – and you totally deserve it – you’re so dedicated!
Very nice Andrea! Congrats!
You go girl!! How wonderful!!
well, CONGRATS on being sponsored – especially by such a great company!!
I found your blog from your guest post at Mara’s, and I loved that you said we either already know you or perhaps we will be “new friends”.
I’ve been catching up on your posts and thought I’d say hello!
back to reading…
I am a new reader and stumbled across this! I live in Columbus too! How can I get these handy things? I’m training for a half marathon in may and I did my first outside run on Thursday (the thought of 5 miles on the treadmill was way worse than being cold!) As you know there was a ton of snow so these things seem pretty handy!