Sunset Trail/Mushroom Run

With Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon behind me, I can focus on some of my other interests. Today, those interests all merged today on the Sunset Trail. It felt a bit weird as 10 runners headed up Sunset as I knew this would likely be my last time up there until I mark the course for Soulstice on October 7th.

As this is the height of mushroom season, I pretty much knew my run would be cut short. David had promised that I would see the Oyster Mushrooms growing in abundance just off the trail. When I found the cache I loaded up my mushroom bags. After a few minutes of trying to run with a load of mushrooms, I pretty much crapped out and decided to walk to the top of Sunset. What magnificent views and I started getting excited for October 8th.

On the descent I returned to collect a few more Oysters but something just didn't seem right. It was a bit too easy - this was the most I've ever collected and I began second guessing myself. Back at the trail head David and Sabrina piled a load of orange delicious lobsters behind my car.



We then debated whether I had collected Oysters at all. Searching all my mushroom guides and the internet, I decided not to make any intestinal mistakes and dumped the load as fertilizer.

Upon returning to Mountain View, David and I decided to have a little yard sale fundraiser with the TransRockies runner's cars parked at the Williams. Anybody want a car? These kids will sell it cheap!

34th Annual Run for the Magic Half Marathon and 5K

As this was my 10th year directing the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff Half Marathon and 5k, I was ecstatic that we had a record turnout for the 34th Annual Run for the Magic. There were so many highlights that separated this from years past. Randi Rolle, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff, who is blind, ran her first 5K! And we have come a long way.



Mike Smith winning the race and honoring his "Little Brother's" first day at college! Sara Wagner hanging on to win one of her favorite races. Arne sandblasted mugs for division winners. SweatVac shirts. Girls on the Run aid station. Free Fratellis Carbo-Load dinner. Automated timing by Jaguar Timing Systems - no more pulling bibs and missing numbers. The Junction Aid Station Keg. M and Ms. Halfway aid station cup voting - Medicinal Marijuana or not. Dry feet. No mud. Cloud cover. No baking sun. Oddest statistic: ever women finishers outnumber men 247 to 192. I found the results online of the 1999 race at Fort Tuthill. 117 finishers in both races. 75 men and 42 women. We have come a long ways!


Please order or visit Fratellis on Tuesday, August 16th. 10% of sales will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff!

If you participated please share your thoughts on the race! Cheers from the race director.