COMMUNITY, by Sara Wagner

It’s summertime and one cannot help but encounter friends everywhere one goes on trails, streets, tracks, sidewalks and such.  One evening as I was finishing up a run, I ventured onto a downtown alley and there was Gene Roberdeau at his apartment window, washing dishes…next thing I knew, he was coming out to say hello, dish towel in hand.  Other times it’s someone with a stroller on FUTS (Flagstaff Urban Trail System), a wave from a car when you cannot even see the driver, or bicyclists offering smiles along Lake Mary Road.  These are the kinds of things that make our Flagstaff community so wonderful.

How fun to go to races or Tuesday night track sessions and have people know you, maybe even greet you by name…then there’s the plethora of other group runs that take place throughout the week – with Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association (NATRA), Flagstaff Trail Divas, or from places like Run Flagstaff and Biff’s Bagels.  One is sure to see a familiar face or two at these as well.  When we have so many opportunities to run with and be supported by others, it’s easy to forget that not every place is like this.

A month ago I took a road trip across the high desert, alone on endless roads.  1,000+ miles is a lot of time to reflect upon what makes a place special, or why it is that I always feel a little sad leaving Flagstaff, even when I’m going somewhere great.  Fortunately these long roads that take us away from a place we love also bring us back.

Running is what drew me here.  I had been working on the Navajo Reservation for a long time when I first heard about NATRA.  More years passed before a friend, Elizabeth Harding, told me of a free lecture being given by Dr. Jack Daniels on the NAU campus.  It was December 2005 and I took LEAVE from work so I could drive two hours in for his talk “Ingredients of Running Success.”  Trina Painter also spoke that night.  I knew no one but took lots of notes and left inspired.

January 2006 rolled around and I made it my New Year’s Resolution to finally do a NATRA  run.  The first time I tried, I missed the group.  I was at the wrong trailhead.  It was confusing, as I didn’t know enough about the area to understand trail nuances.  Fortunately I tried again and met some really great people.  The following week, Megan Gavin said, “We’re glad you came.”  I felt encouraged.  Betsy Mennell was also one of the few females who turned up for runs in those days, and it’s where I first met folks like Bruce Higgins, Bob Steele, John Bogen and Neil Weintraub.  They welcomed me warmly, asked about my life, remembered my name.

I soon found myself renting a room in a friend’s townhouse in East Flag.  I would drive in on Friday nights so I could continue joining these Saturday morning NATRA runs.  I discovered a whole new side to Flagstaff.  Prior to that I had only come in for day trips, to stock up on groceries and run errands – it sure made a difference to actually know people.  Six months later, I was moving to town.

There is a vibrant running community in the heart of the Navajo Reservation too – many challenging races and awesome family events like Just Move Its, with incredible people.  However, out there I was doing 99% of my runs solo – through sagebrush, across sandy mesas, along canyon rims.  I reached a point where the camaraderie of the people I was meeting for trail runs in Flagstaff had a stronger pull than the phenomenal beauty that can be found in the skies and landscape of the Navajo Nation, or the benefits and opportunities associated with a federal job.  That was six years ago.

Somewhere along the way, NATRA has blended with Team Run Flagstaff and swirled into other groups.  I no longer remember exactly when or where we all met.  I just know we are fellow runners.  Friends.

Historic Route 66 Devil Dog Trail

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11 NATRA runners headed west to Williams, Arizona to run the Historic Route 66 Devil Dog Mountain Bike trail. In 1992 (thanks to Kaibab National Forest historian Teri Cleeland's love of all things Route 66), Forest staff turned these two abandoned sections of Route 66 into a wonderful Mountain Biking (and Trail Running) loop.
While we knew the history of Route 66, we debated the derivation of "Devil Dog". Steve said it originated when German soldiers in World War I described the Marines as fighting like "Teufel Hunden" or "Hounds from Hell". No one, however had the answer to why the I-40 exit is called "Devil Dog".

Today's run was filled with newcomers - we initiated Natron and Ali visiting from California, Liz from New Mexico, and Jessica, Wyatt, Martie, and Ben from Williams.

The lead group decided to take a detour from Historic Route 66 and challenge themselves up the old Bixler Saddle Road. The remainder took their time, followed the correct route, and enjoyed their kicks on Route 66, retracing the footsteps of the 1928 Bunion Derby runners who passed in the same direction on March 16, 1928. Near the junction of the 1922 and 1932 alignments, Neil and Martie discovered a pair of fresh Mountain Lion tracks alongside a turkey track. Luckily we had Ben to protect us from any felines eyeing us.

The 5 mile loop (or 5.8 for those who took their own path) made for a most pleasant morning. Baby Wyatt was already looking forward to the next run on August 18th, up the Bill Williams Mountain Trail! For more information about trail running in Northern Arizona, visit http://www.natra.org

Flagstaff: In Quintessence

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14 NATRA runners began at Flagstaff's beloved Buffalo Park and ran the infamous Oldham steps over to Rocky Ridge and back. Along the way we tested out the Salomon Skin Pro 10+3 Hydration System Pack (see review in middle of video) and used its whistle to scare off some rogue pandas. We also ran across remnants of the 1857 Beale Wagon Road that brought many European settlers westward. To learn more about trail running and racing in Flagstaff visit http://www.natra.org.

Arizona Trail Delight/Monsoons Arrive!

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10 Northern Arizona Trail Runners headed north on the Arizona Trail as rain clouds loomed over head. Poised to see the end of the drought, the cool 65 degree overcast was welcomed by all, especially from our newbies from Tucson and Phoenix. Runners did an 8 mile out and back run starting at 6800 feet among the tall ponderosa pines, dropping 400 feet into the open pinyon juniper woodlands. The air from the previous night's rain enhanced the sweet aroma of the blooming cliffrose. Just as we returned, the clouds opened up, and the drought for now, appears over. Welcome home Monsoons! Stick around this time! To learn more about trail running in Flagstaff visit http://www.natra.org .

Epic Brookbank Trail Run

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After a busy month of trail races in Flagstaff, 16 Northern Arizona Trail Runners took on the climbs of the Dry Lake Hills trail system including Brookbank, Upper Brookbank, Sunset and returning down Upper Oldham. Flagstaff Trail running icons Ian Torrence and Sara Wagner led the way with several newbies joining in the on the fun. The run was complete with fresh bear track sightings, 6 miles with1500 feet of vertical climbing and an amazing wipeout that left blood oozing from legs and arms of one tough nameless runner! We all returned to the kickstand to savor the beautiful run

Hearts 911 Mount Elden Ultimate Challenge

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The Inaugural Hearts 911 Mount Elden Ultimate Challenge and 10K was a smashing success. This benefit run for first responders heart screening tests was a challenging 10.3 mile run up and over Mount Elden, descending on the Heart Trail to Sandy Seep. The race also include a 10K out and back on Elden Lookout Road.

Gina Slaby of Tucson wins overall 10K in 44.01 with Harry Singer from Phoenix winning the men's race in 49.11. In the Ultimate Challenge, Art Keith's 1:16.28 and Leslie Grabel's 1:45.28 (both of Flagstaff) took top honors. Full results posted at http://www.virtualroster.com/index.cfm?action=dspClientHome&clientid=123&showBanner=1

With its great support team of first responders, hi-tech shirts, post-race party, and especially since it is a perfect tune-up for the Imogene Pass Run, it will sell out early next year, so don't miss out!

Northland Hospice Run for Life

Congrats to the 499 finishers at the the Northland Hospice Run for Life 10K/5K. The 10K brought out one of the most competitive men's fields ever. As Jared Scott (record holder of the Soulstice Mountain Trail run and Sportiva Cup defending champion) lined up for what was probably his last race before moving to Colorado, he was flanked by Flagstaff Summer Series defending champion Chris Gomez, Michael Smith (TransRockies, Soulstice and Imogene Pass Run winner), Rob Krar (TransRockies champ and Grand Canyon R@R record holder), and Vince Sherry (former Northland Hospice 10K record holder). As the race went off Jared bolted to try to put an exclamation point on his Flagstaff racing career. As Chris Gomez kept pace slightly behind he could sense Scott tiring and charged to the lead, not looking back, and smashing Vince Sherry's former record in running a 32.22. Scott came in second followed by Rob Krar.

Krar and fiance Christina Bauer obviously had their priorities straight. Run the race first, and then get married! Congrats to both! Read Erin Strout's column in today's Arizona Daily Sun. Bauer took second nine seconds behind a surprising win by Flag High runner Taryn Treadway's 39.40. Sara Wagner took 3rd. See Bill Harris' coverage in today's Arizona Daily Sun.

The Flagstaff Summer Series takes its July recess and fires up once again for the August 4th Machine Solutions Run and Walk for Kids and the series final, the August 11th 35th Annual  Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Flagstaff Dave McKay Memorial Half Marathon. Register for all at VirtualRoster.com