I drove by the golf course, but just through the parking lot, so I couldn't survey the course. There are some clear plow lanes through the grass, but I'm not sure if they are part of the course, or not. After reading Julian's posting a week or two ago though, I'm certain that if it doesn't snow the day of the race, the course will be clear. He said he has something like 2 or 3 different snow removal companies contracted to make sure the course is clear on race day.
Wont that tear up the course having snow trucks clear it
NiwotFlatironsNCAR wrote:
Dude, look at the camera below - this is only 20 min from Boulder!
20 min by helicopter, maybe. It's a solid 40+ if you're using a car.
If you go along 55th, you can see pretty much the entire course. I went past this morning, it was as covered as ever with snow. The melting is primarily on south facing slopes and the hard surfaces, like pavement, which absorb radiant energy (sun's rays, UV) better than flat soil surfaces covered in vegetation. Most of the parkland in town (like Valmont Park, which I also went past today) is still well covered in snow.
it's cross country i will enjoy the snow, and i think most other cross runners will too. the elevation along with cold snow wind, ice, will only make the races that much more interesting.
You must want our runners to continue to toil in obscurity.
more snow=better wrote:
it's cross country i will enjoy the snow, and i think most other cross runners will too. the elevation along with cold snow wind, ice, will only make the races that much more interesting.
I agree with you to a point. Running in snow is not too difficult if the snow is relatively fresh or has been tread on for a week or so and therefore packed down enough for running. This snow is different. It is an accumulation of week after week after week of 8-12 inches that melts in 50 degree temps like today only to freeze again in the night and repeat the same process. Throw in a few 80 mile an hour gusts of wind like we had a weekend ago, and you have 10 ft. snow drifts in certain areas.
The snow that exists now is very difficult to run in, mostly impossible. Racing in it would be absurd. With that said, it could clear enough in the coming days if it doesn't accumulate any more. Who knows...
??????? wrote:
Wont that tear up the course having snow trucks clear it
I was thinking the same thing, but on the driving range (not part of the XC course) there were definitely plow tracks and the grass looked unharmed. I'm not sure how they do it, but I'm guessing that's what they plan on doing with the XC course if it comes down to it.
Also, I agree with what another recent poster said...most of the unplowed areas are still covered with significant snow. Maybe 4-8 inches? Still, it's 2 weeks until the race. You'd be surprised how much will melt off in a single warm day.
I disagree. Not all professionals would be worried about snow at a cross country race. Kastor made a decision that she felt was best for her, but many other top XC runners over the decades would not have hesitated to compete and relish a little nasty weather.
snow is fine wrote:
looks like chance of snow everyday of the week to me.
i'm tired of people saying: "everyone who is concerned about snow is a cry baby"....if you're a "professional" you're concerned about the conditions on the course that you'll be competing. It's part of being a professional. I believe Deena Kastor dropped out of the NYC US cross champs as a result of poor racing conditions, ice, snow, etc. Do you think she was a "cry baby" or a professional distance runner?
If you're not concerned about the snow...you're not a serious athlete. With that said, you have to worry about the things that you can control. The weather is not one of them. But the decision to race in that weather, that can be controlled.
Some of these jokers who keep reporting from Boulder are "from Boulder" which means they are mildly insane, and incapable of a rational thought process - so take their "analysis" with a grain of salt.
Go ahead and add another 10-12 inches. It's been snowing all morning, and doesn't appear to be stopping any time soon.