The Return of Rhi and Tim

Today's group run marked a new milestone in Flagstaff running. With the brief return of Tim and Rhiannon, I knew we would have a near record turnout with 28 runners! This proved to be a perfect test for Gail's new chip timing system. Once we hoisted the trusses into place and wired the radio pads to the frame, off we went up Schultz Creek. Most ran to the Lincoln Logs and back, however, some endured the long loop up over Dry Lake Hills and back down Brookbank and Rocky Ridge.

The timing system worked flawlessly recording every runner who passed beneath the finish line. Bruce tried to trip up the system by wearing two numbers, one on his front and one on his back. The system prevailed. Not even Aaron Els crumpling his number and hiding it beneath his shirt allowed him to go incognito. We all tried to go back and forth under the pads, however the computer recognized us just the first time we finished. The system will require racers to arrive earlier to register so all the data can be entered into the system prior to the start of the race. However, the disposable chips that simply adhere to the back of a number will allow us to have faster, more accurate timing and require to have fewer volunteers at the finish line. Thanks to everyone for coming out to day!

Now, time to party with Tim and Rhiannon!

Mountainaire Breakfast Run

14 runners ran the Mountainaire 100 course on a blustery Saturday AM. As we started out, officers from Coconino County Sheriff's department asked us if we had seen some gun toting dudes wandering in the woods. We hadn't, and then nervously headed out for the run, with our eyes wide open. We ran up Priest/Rabbi Draw and headed back down Howard Draw. The round trip was exactly at 10K and was about as flat a run as we had ever done! We all returned to David's house and feasted on breakfast treats, coffee and Neil's extra bloody marys!

Arizona Trail/Walnut Canyon

22 runners Anika and Bob ventured on the Arizona Trail - Tony showed up on his bike and we counted him as #23! Some went 5 miles to the first overlook while more went on to the second overlook covering 8. The reconstructed portion south of the deep canyon was incredible. The trail used to be so steep that it was barely runnable. Now it winds gently up the slope. Most impressive was that steep trail was barely visible! It was hard to believe that just last week we ran in a blizzard! Ah Flagstaff in the spring!

April Fort Tuthill Blizzard

Five runners braved this morning's April blizzard (David McKee ran the entire Soldiers Trail loop!). With 10 inches of fresh powder on the urban trail, Neil, Sara, Sabrina and Bruce ran to doggie dell and back, about 4.2 miles. Of course with the shin deep powder it felt like more and took over an hour to complete. Runners faced blinding snow squalls and dodged misguided snow balls. After having to push all cars out of the parking lot, we headed to a very empty Campus Coffee Bean where coffee quickly warmed our frozen bodies.

Soldiers Trail, Fort Tuthill

12 Runners headed out on a relatively dry Soldiers Trail. I had to bail early so am hoping that others on the run have more to add!

Jordan Road Exploration Trail

Ten runners ran in the cool and mostly cloudy conditions of Sedona.

Starting the run from the Jordan Road trailhead were Sabrina, Jennifer,
Heather, Charlie, Brett, Susan, and David (plus Bob and Daisy). Joining the
group later were Tony, Janie, and Margaret. The latter three had started much
earlier and had already completed the Brins Mesa Loop and were closing in on
the lead group.

At the intersection of the Jim Thompson Trail and the Wilson Canyon Trail
the group took a left to explore the section of trail that follows the canyon.

It's still a bit early in the season but some wildflowers are beginning to
make their appearance.

All in all, about 7.5 miles round trip, with overachievers Janie and Tony doing about 13.

Weather was ok, got a few spots of sunshine, but overall a little chilly. We had coffee at our table in Sedona and made fun of Tony's pastry, which looked like a cinnamon role topped with hamburger. It also had a very disappointing taste, but Tony said it looked good in the display case.

(Thanks to David Blanchard and Sabrina Blackledge for the posts!)

Fort Valley Trail System

22 runners, Gray, Anika, Josie, and Wyatt waded in and out of water filled drainages running the multitude of trails of Fort Valley. It was a great turnout for an early spring run. We then paid Tim a visit and packed the Kickstand for coffee and some pretty odd tasting electrolyte replacement drinks.

The video above was taken in May, 2010, but pretty resembles the stream crossings we made today.