Aeries-Cockscomb: A long 5.7!

10 NATRA runners closed out 2013 in grand style on the 5.7 miles of Aeries Cockscomb trail. To avoid the shadows we ran clockwise, this however did not help keeping this from feeling more like a 10 mile run. 50+ Saturday group runs, 600+ participant days, about 7 miles per run = 4000+ NATRA miles on the trails of Northern Arizona! Happy Trails to 2013 and stay tuned for the line up of runs on natra.org. Next week we will celebrate the City of Flagstaff's purchase of State Trust Lands on Observatory Mesa by heading up the Urban Trail from the Thorpe Bark Park at 9 AM!

 Kathy Leads the way!

 David makes sure everyone knows to turn left at the end

Heading out clockwise. 

 Anne at the halfway point

Beautiful views of red rock country

 Sweeping vistas of the Verde Valley and Jerome on the west side of Doe Mountain

Only Flagstaff runners sit outside in the chilly of early morning winter in Sedona! 

Christmas Day 2013

No better place to celebrate running on Christmas than in Buffalo Park with NATRA!  On a blustery xmas morning, eight runners did 1.5 to 2 loops (3-4 miles) around the park before heading home to celebrate with their families. On the hill, runners spotted a very frosty NATRA member who seemed content to spend the rest of his life in Buffalo Park!  Happy Holidays to all!  

Solstice Survivors Run

On a cold blustery day, 50+ Flagstaff runners celebrated the Winter Solstice by participating in Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association's Free Solstice Survivors Run in Buffalo Park. Due to the popularity of last year's epic Mayan Apocalypse Run to End All Runs 5K, Ramble Brothers and NATRA felt it was important to continue the tradition of running on the Winter Solstice. 

The run brought out families with kids of all ages, and even an elusive sasquatch!  A brief burst of snow as runners finished was the icing on the cake that marked the beginning of winter. Thanks to Flagstaff Brewing Company for the beer and whiskey specials for Solstice Survivors. Next up - Christmas morning run, 9 AM in where else, but Buffalo Park!  

50+ runners excited to celebrate winter's arrival.

Go!

Heading off counter clockwise towards Mount Elden.

The sasquatch was really friendly especially so after the Old Milwaukee peace offering.

Flags Brew for beers and whiskey specials.

Hangover II: Revenge of the Cow Pies

Fourteen runners and two pooches began NATRA's second visit to the Hangover Trail on a brisk morning. Unlike last time, no one really wanted to hang out on the saddles because the northeast wind was really whipping, as it was across the steep ascent on the backside. The hangover had several icy spots, inducing quesy feelings in more than one runner as we gingerly passed. 

It was rumored that another runner, with dog, had joined us, and indeed his vehicle was in the parking lot after we all finished, but really, we only have his word to go on.

Lunch (yes it was that late) was at New Frontiers, with some partaking of the New York bagel place nearby. (Thanks to Bruce Higgings for the past and photos!). 

Next week: Special Group Run: Solstice Survivor's 5K at Buffalo Park, 4:30 PM. 

Our destination is up yonder

Tzeidle jogs through an elfin forest of cypress. 

The speck of a runner nears the high point of the first saddle.

Don nears the high point of the first saddle:

The second saddle.

Happiness at the saddle.

Sara leads the way down the Cow Pies.

Heroic Guardians of the Streak! Brrrrrr....

(Thanks to Bruce Higgins for the post) At 9am, 5 of us met to consider our running options. The plan was supposed to be Soldier Trail, but the wind chill temp was 5 degrees.

The first suggestion was to bag it. Someone suggested Sedona. Finally, we just took off, not observing the obligatory 5-minute late-comer rule. (Heck, we didn't even wait 2 minutes; it was too cold and we were in danger of chickening out.) Two more joined us along the way.

Thinking we would just run the Soldier Trail 5k route, we decided to do part of the 10k route, once we reached the fork. (Being in the trees, the wind chill had abated some.) Once we reached the road before the amphitheater, we decided to just complete the whole 10k route. Of course this meant frozen faces, as we had a half-mile at the end directly into a stiff breeze and a wind chill near zero.

Warm-up occurred AFTER the run and was at the Bean.

Guardians of the record this day were: Rob, Robert, Ron, Anne, Katie, Matt and Bruce.

Its cold; let's move it! 

5k/10k decision point:

Frozen hair begins to melt:

 

The post-run warm-up:

5th Annual Wet Beaver Creek Polar Plunge

To celebrate our return to running trails every other weekend in Sedona during the winter months, 6 NATRA runners ran the Wet Beaver Creek trail. Only Veteran Susan and newbie Joe took the leap of faith in the icy dark waters of the "Crack". 

 The Blanchard Clan

 Susan enjoys an icy soak

Running on the Edge of Glory

The Fog!

Returning to Flagstaff we could see the odd phenomena of the fog that enveloped town. David Blanchard shared the satellite image below. 

Turkey Predictor Run 2013

 
11 NATRA runners made room for Thanksgiving dinner by running a couple of warm up loops in Buffalo Park and then joined in on the 32nd Annual Free Flagstaff Road and Track Club Turkey Predictor 2 Mile Fun Run. The two mile fun run has been a great local tradition for family and friends and as word has clearly spread, this year's run had far more participants than ever!

Nat White discusses the history of the event in the above video made in 2011.
The run consists of one loop around the outside perimeter of Flagstaff's premier running venue, Buffalo Park. Runners/walkers predict how long it will take to make one lap, and winners are determined by those that are closest to their predicted time. Winners then choose from a variety of tasty treats, including a turkey, and NATRA head wear!

Runners sign their names and predicted times on the Under 20 minutes, 20-30 minutes, and over 30 minute sheets.

Nat White asks runners to have a moment of silence for all we have to be thankful for, including Buffalo Park, which, if not for a handful of concerned citizens would have been lost to a highway development in 1985. 

Runners young and old excited for the start of the race!

Nat White shouts "Only one rule, NO WATCHES!

A record crowd stretches for nearly 1/2 mile across the park! Happy Thanksgiving!