Snow shoe training?

[Belgian Lace]

I'm hoping to add snowshoeing  as part of my winter training.   Is there a rough formula for figuring how far (or how long) I need to go to approximate a road run?

[BonitaApplebum]

Great question! Maybe figure out what it takes to burn 100 calories? That's roughly equivalent to running a mile, I believe.

[Ice Cream]

I'm hoping to add snowshoeing  as part of my winter training.   Is there a rough formula for figuring how far (or how long) I need to go to approximate a road run?

a heart rate monitor could probably tell you this.

[CheryG]

Yeah, a HRM.  The effort is hugely variable, IMO.  It depends on the snow and terrain.  I'll intentionally use smaller shoes in deeper snow if I really want to burn some calories.

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[Coyote Mas Loco]

Agree with CheryG, it all depends on the terrain and snow depth. If you are actually running on snowshoes, the effort tends to be greater than on trails or pavement. If the trail is packed down, single tracked or maybe on a snowmobile trail, you'll probably burn about 20% (give or take 5% or so) calories compared to running on a road. Your pace will be slower, so just go by time rather than distance. If you have more than about 2" or 3" of fresh snow on the trail your effort will increase. And if you are breaking trail at anything over about 6", running effort becomes very difficult and slow and you can usually only maintain a few minutes at time. Likewise, hill climbing is somewhat more difficult. In deeper snow and steep terrain, the effort (energy expended) often equates to hiking.

[Ice Cream]

Agree with CheryG, it all depends on the terrain and snow depth. If you are actually running on snowshoes, the effort tends to be greater than on trails or pavement. If the trail is packed down, single tracked or maybe on a snowmobile trail, you'll probably burn about 20% (give or take 5% or so) calories compared to running on a road. Your pace will be slower, so just go by time rather than distance. If you have more than about 2" or 3" of fresh snow on the trail your effort will increase. And if you are breaking trail at anything over about 6", running effort becomes very difficult and slow and you can usually only maintain a few minutes at time. Likewise, hill climbing is somewhat more difficult. In deeper snow and steep terrain, the effort (energy expended) often equates to hiking.

This is the long explanation for recommending a heart rate monitor.

[Belgian Lace]

Thanks!

I don't use a HRM, but I knew that expecting to do a mile for mile exchange would be a Bad Idea.

[Coyote Mas Loco]

This is the long explanation for recommending a heart rate monitor.

and this is why...well forget it

[witchypoo]

Thanks!

I don't use a HRM, but I knew that expecting to do a mile for mile exchange would be a Bad Idea.

try measuring your workout by time rather than distance for the short-term.  e.g. if your normal effort per day is 3 miles in 30 minutes, snowshoe for 30 minutes, irrespective of distance.

your abductors and adductors will be quite sore by comparison.  take it easy.