12 NATRA runners, Dylan, and Skylar celebrated the first Sedona run of the winter by heading up to the pools at Beaver Creek. Jared and Bruce both took the annual polar bear plunge. Neil, prodded by peer pressure (mostly Sara Wagner) and the knowledge that he could finally one up David McKee,took the bone chilling leap as well. Even with above normal temperatures and no snow on the ground, the icy water still knocked the wind out of everyone's lungs. Bottom line, NatraNeil 1, NatraDavid 0. To learn more about trail running in Northern Arizona visit the Northern Arizona Trail Runners web site.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Annual Beaver Creek Polar Bear Run Plunge
12 NATRA runners, Dylan, and Skylar celebrated the first Sedona run of the winter by heading up to the pools at Beaver Creek. Jared and Bruce both took the annual polar bear plunge. Neil, prodded by peer pressure (mostly Sara Wagner) and the knowledge that he could finally one up David McKee,took the bone chilling leap as well. Even with above normal temperatures and no snow on the ground, the icy water still knocked the wind out of everyone's lungs. Bottom line, NatraNeil 1, NatraDavid 0. To learn more about trail running in Northern Arizona visit the Northern Arizona Trail Runners web site.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail, aka, Heaven on Earth!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Turkey Predictor Run 2012
Nat White explains the one rule....no watches allowed!
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. Tie breakers go to the fastest overall time. Winners then choose in order from the baked goods and other assorted prizes, including a turkey!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Picture Canyon Celebration Run
22 NATRA runners, and dogs Daisy, and Dylan celebrated the City of Flagstaff's purchase of Picture Canyon. We were also joined by Flagstaff Fit Moms Race. It was a GORGEous (no pun intended) day with the essence of Purina Dog Chow filling the air. A little over two weeks ago, on October 30, 2012, the City of Flagstaff purchased Picture Canyon at an auction on the steps of the Coconino County Courthouse. To learn more about that historic day, visit the 10/30/2012 blog . The Arizona Trail provides the perfect way to run back through time and enjoy a piece of Flagstaff History that is on the National Register of Historic Places. NATRA runners visited several of the canyon's petroglyphs and viewed Flagstaff's only waterfall. Afterwards we hit the Kickstand where we replenished ourselves with the $2 special chocolate gelato shakes. We also bid adieu to Josh who is heading back to his job in Hot Springs, Arkansas! Take care Josh! We are glad you found us!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Snowy Flagstaff Loop Trail
NATRA runners set down shoe prints on the Flagstaff Loop Trail.
Bruce, Neil, Sabrina, Ron, Josh, Suzanne, Janie, Don, Dylan, and Skylar celebrated the season's first snowfall by running the Flagstaff Loop Trail counterclockwise. This meant starting out by running straight up the steep urban trail rather than a warm up on the Karen Cooper FUTS. The cold weather added insult to injury as it was even harder to breath going up the dreaded hill.
Hard to see turn from FUTS onto Loop Trail.
With a nice dusting of snow on the trail, the lead group flew past the turn off to the Loop Trail. This allowed the back of the pack to catch up and regroup at the well hidden turn. From there it was a cruise on Flagstaff's wonderful new trail. At the split rail fence, Bruce, Janie, Ron, Josh and Dylan took off towards Cheshire, while Neil, Don, Suzanne, Dylan, and Sabrina took the low road back to the south. We admired the brilliant Peaks adorned with snow. We were greeted to a slippery surprise on our descent off Observatory Mesa; the Urban Trail had recently been paved. With a dusting of snow, we all carefully walked down the slippery slope! We reconvened and warmed up at the Kickstand where David Blanchard joined in the celebration of the first snowfall.
Skylar and Janie find the sun.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Campbell Mesa Autumnal Jaunt
Nine NATRA runners including Sousltice's Bride and Bigfoot ran the Campbell Mesa Loop Trail, about 6 miles. This time however, lacking snow, they did not run into any rogue pandas on the rampage, nor any sightings of the Campbell Mesa Yeti. Oddly I found myself out front with everyone content to follow. So has my lazy running routine finally worked? Or did Thursday's early morning workout up Observatory Hill celebrating Alexis' birthday kick my body into high gear? Whatever the reason, my legs and lungs gave out at about mile 5 to allow Scott, Don, and Betsy take us back to the trailhead. It was a marvelous fall day! Thanks to everyone who came out!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
City of Flagstaff Buys Picture Canyon!!!!
An historic auction on the steps of the County Courthouse today - The City of Flagstaff bought Picture Canyon after many years and many battles over efforts to clean up, protect, and manage what was once an eyesore on the edge of the City.
Over the past few years partners have turned Picture Canyon into a jewel, one that Flagstaff can now continually polish for years to come. Many said this would not happen, but relentless partners were unphased and today, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region is under the City of Flagstaff ownership. Thanks to numerous volunteer efforts the area has been cleaned up. There are a lot of stories that hit the news today and pictures are floating all over the internet. See below:
Over the past few years partners have turned Picture Canyon into a jewel, one that Flagstaff can now continually polish for years to come. Many said this would not happen, but relentless partners were unphased and today, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region is under the City of Flagstaff ownership. Thanks to numerous volunteer efforts the area has been cleaned up. There are a lot of stories that hit the news today and pictures are floating all over the internet. See below:
City Manager Kevin Burke makes the winning (and only) bid.
Celia, David, Alicyn, McKenzie, Neil celebrate on Zane Gray balcony.
Video by John Grahame
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