Aspen Corner, Arizona Trail

As Waterline Road is closed for the foreseeable future, we ran north from Aspen Corner off Snowbowl Road on the Arizona Trail. It was still a gorgeous morning for a run with a chill in the air, the only reminder that fall is here. Well, that and Sabrina's 80s ankle warmers (see slide show). After running for a mile we laughed at the 670 miles to Mexico and 190 miles to Utah border signs. We can report that not a single leaf had turned yellow at this point, despite the endless groves of Aspens. Also missing were the abundant mushrooms of late summer. So most of us actually ended up running the full 7 miles. Most had never run this segment of trail and were very impressed. Afterwards we all filled up Late for the Train on Fort Valley Road and lots of folks had the Flagstaff Marathon and Soulstice on their minds.

Walnut Canyon, Arizona Trail

Given that it was Imogene weekend with most of NATRA running 17.1 miles from Ouray, Co to Telluride over the 13,114 foot Imogene Pass, we had a respectable turnout of 7 runners. Neil, David, Susan, Daryl, Sabrina, Elizabeth and newcomer Marci had a picture perfect fall morning to run along the edge of Walnut Canyon. David and Neil marveled at the most recent trail construction that has eliminated a very rough, eroded portion of the route. David thinks he might even be able to mountain bike the trail without dismounting! There was not a wisp of a cloud or even a breeze. A pocket of chilly air refreshed us at the bottom of the canyon, before taking very deep breaths to get us back up to the trails to the view points. At the end of the run we returned to enjoy the Campus Coffee Bean. We surprised the staff by nearly cleaning them out of their fresh fruit bowls. It is good to be back, and exactly one month until Soulstice. Check out the Imogene Pass Run results!. Congrats to all Flagstaff runners!

Kauai Half Marathon

After nearly a decade of directing races vs. running them, I could not keep myself from entering the Kauai Half Marathon on September 5th. The race started and finished just steps from our hotel door and it turned out to be such a blast, despite running the last 10 miles with a torn calf. I can be seen at the start of the race in the center of the video in my Salomon blue tank top at 22 seconds in. Given that I had not trained a lick this summer, picking more mushrooms than miles, my 2:06.53 placed me 268th out of 936 runners. Not too shabby as the race is considered extremely difficult due to the high humidity! Post-race walking for two days was a chore, but an event in paradise that I would definitely run again!


Most amazing finish line setting ever!


Diana helps me find the beer tent!

BCBS Summer Series Fratelli's Picnic

Nearly 100 runners celebrated the Series award winners on a blustery fall like day. Many of our TransRockies heroes - Mark Thurston, Andreas Santiago and Eric Bohn made a showing fresh from their epic races. Fratelli's pizza, wings and salad was enjoyed by all. After the Aspen Sports Raffle, a new series tradition began, the Flagstaff Trivia raffle. Audience members made up questions and Neil gave away the prizes at an alarmingly slow rate! Congrats to all runners and we are looking forward to next year already!

Kendrick Mountain Trail

An impressive showing of NATRA runners as they head up Kendrick Mountain into the London Fog. Chad, Neil, Bob, David, Mark, Joel, Jen, Darcy, Steve, Dara, Heather, Sarah, Don and Zack started out in the parking lot a bit late as the mushroom hunters in the crowd inspected every bolete that surrounded the parking area.

As they made their ascent, runners encountered a thick fog at 2 miles up, leaving many chilled to the bone. Was this August? Much of the conversation focused on the outstanding performance by our friends at TransRockies. As the elevation increased, the visibility reduced to no more than 30 yards. It was even more difficult to follow the trail as the myriad of wildflowers choked the narrow path.

At the top, runners made their way either to the cabin or the tower, but did not stick around long as they needed to warm themselves by bombing downhill, dodging the throngs of hikers heading up. Back at the parking lot, Mark, Neil and Jen gathered as many boletes as they could hold. At the end of the run, the Hopi Drive gang enjoyed the wild mushrooms grilled in olive oil and salt with peppered bacon, hatch green chile and egg toppings. They of coursed washed it all down with Red Hook ESB. Another perfect Saturday morning NATRA run!

Trans Rockies Updates!

Flagstaff runners are again near the top of the leader boards at Trans Rockies! Sara Wagner/Adam Chase, Eric Bohn/Jason Wolfe, Chris Purslow/Brian Tinder and Mark Thurston/Andres Santiago are all in contending positions in their divisions! Stay updated by visiting the Trans Rockies Web page .

Sunset Trail and Fungi hunting

A lovely morning and not too shabby a turn out for a busy weekend in Flag considering most are either climbing the mountain to conquer cancer or are off at Trans Rockies. Even still Neil, David M., Kate, Craig, Glen, Kara, Joel and Randi found their way up Schultz Road on a gorgeous August morning. As soon as I bolted out behind Joel, I spied several Caesar Amanitas and a number of other large gilled mushrooms and knew right away, this run would be short-lived for me. As I noticed my first King Bolete, I stopped in my tracks (conveniently the hill ahead would have taken care of my forward motion, but we will say it was one of the largest, finest edible mushrooms that did me in). Once finding the prized King, I was on my hunt for more. Hitting the switchbacks of Sunset proved fruitful. With one hand holding on to 3 prized gems, I decided, running was too dangerous. Right then, I caught up to Summer Series runner Peter Price. When his hiking partner saw me barely able to hold my mushrooms, she pointed out that in England, collectors used "skirts". She then showed me how to pull up my running tank and use it as a skirt to hold the mushrooms. Well, didn't quite work out for me and I still had one free hand for more mushrooms. The return did not disappoint. As I went downhill, I had missed a bunch of monster boletes near the Sunset Trailhead.



As I approached the parking lot all loop runners had returned and I showed off my finds. David and I returned home, melted some butter and had some of the most delicious boletes I've ever eaten. Next week's run, Kendrick Mountain. Mushrooms will be plentiful there!