Okay, this will be a super-quick post off the top of my head, due to a massive book deadline that is currently resting on my right shoulder. However, I just couldn't let the National Snowshoe Championships go by (in my neck of the woods, no less, at Mount Hood) without at least chiming in with some tips, learned the hard way at the recent Romp to Stomp snowshoe race held on the very same grounds where the national champs are trampling the ground as I type.
When I entered my first snowshoe race, in 2001, I came across the finish line in second place.
It was a fluke.
In the years since, I have flailed, tripped, sank in too deep, gotten unbuckled, and most of all have cursed my snowshoes. And my latest snowshoe experience at the Romp to Stomp was no exception. So heed my top three tips before you strap in:
1. Warm up beforehand. I'm not one of those runners who you see running around before a race to "warm up." I mean, that's what the first few miles is for, right? But I learned this time around, as I stood around and chatted to a friend while others jumped up and down to warm up and I laughed at them, that during snowshoe races it's a good idea to get your blood pumping beforehand. Especially if you have cold feet that turn white just looking at the snow like I do. I think that my feet were just starting to thaw out by the time I crossed the finish line.
Lesson learned: It's tough to run when you can't feel your feet.
2. Save the best for last. When the race started, I got going slowly like I usually do. And then I realized that I wasn't really going to make any headway on the people in front of me. And furthermore, I kinda didn't care. I mean, for the first time I didn't have anyone crunch crunch crunching behind me as I valiantly tried to stay ahead of them. I decided instead to go with the flow and actually take my time, so I slowed down to a walk and enjoyed the view of Mount Hood instead of gasping for air like I usually do. Instead of setting my sights on the person in front of me, trying to pass her, I hoped she would keep up her pace so I wouldn't have to pass her. My mission was to bring up the rear, and I succeeded.
Lesson learned: the view (and lack of pressure) is better at the back of the pack. Bonus: you can twirl, attempt to moonwalk, and dance through the finish line and not worry that anyone is going to pass you!
3. If you're going to come in last, at least carpool with the winner. Not only did I have zero pressure out there, and barely break a sweat because I was walking half the time, but I actually got to reap the rewards of winning vicariously through my carpooling buddy, Coop. When they announced his name as the winner and they announced he was going to be at the national snowshoe championships, heads swiveled to get a glimpse of him, and I just nodded as if to say, "yeah, that's right, I'm friends with THAT guy. He'll be signing autographs later."
Lesson learned: if you're going to flail, there's no shame in pairing up with a winner to gain coolness cred. So I'm taking credit for his success, what's your point?
That's all I got, kids, back to the grind...hope everyone had fun at the race and furthermore, I hope the snow is over so I DON'T have to put on a snowshoe again for another year.
Megan
