Chicken Point Wine and Cheese Run

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  We had a small turn out for the Chicken Point run in Sedona but it proved to be quite an eventful post-Mayan Apocalypse run. In search of mistletoe, Bruce hit the jackpot finding and abandoned bag of three Modelo beers and a bottle Casillero del Diablo from Chile.

Feeling lucky, we set off to Chicken Point from Broken Arrow. This 5 mile jaunt was shorter than normal, but we all enjoyed the slickrock climbs and descents much better since we were not nearly as tired as usual when we run from Schnebly Hill road.

As we joked about the wine, we thought we better get rid of the evidence so we had a wine and cheese party on the patio by New Frontiers. We sampled Collier's Powerful Welch Cheddar, Ewephoria from Cheeleland Inc, and White Stilton with blueberries. A perfect start to the new Mayan calendar!

Flagstaff's Free Mayan Apcocalypse 5K Fun Run

Watch more videos on Flotrail   On December 21, 2012, dozens of Flagstaff runners defied predictions of gloom and doom on the Mayan Apocalypse by gathering for the Run to End All Runs - A free (and virtual) 5K into the sunset in a snowy Buffalo Park! Flagstaff Brewing Company provided drink specials to all runners who donned their handsome Ramble Brothers Mayan Apocalypse 5K shirts.

We survived and collected well over 100 cans for food bank donations! Ran or exercised on the Mayan Apocalypse? Shirts are still avaiilable at Ramble Brothers. Also, great coverage of the event at the Arizona Daily Sun

Finally to see the event and pics from across the world, visit our group page on Facebook

Snowy Pre-Mayan Apocalypse Run

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4 NATRA runners kept the 11+ year tradition of never canceling a run by celebrating Flagstaff's first raging snowstorm at Fort Tuthill. Bruce and Neil trudged through about a 3 miles of knee deep snow before their knees gave out, while David and Susan laid tracks with their cross country skis.

The run comes in anticipate of our "virtual" Mayan Apocalypse 5K. On December 21st we ask as many runners as possible to join us in this celebratory event. On Facebook, join in at http://www.facebook.com/neil.weintraub.92#!/events/225524970913930/ - You can also order the hilarios and spiffyshirts at http://www.ramblebrothers.spreadshirt.com - If you join we will share photos of runners wearing the shirt from across the globe!. Simply like our page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northern-Arizona-Trail-Runners-Association/218377476572?ref=hl Hope that many of you will join us in this fun way to celebrate the end of the Mayan Calendar!!!!

Schultz Creek Shivers

(Thanks to Bruce H. for the following post)  Thirteen runners began heading up Schultz Creek very soon after 9:00 am this morning, because teeth chatter was starting to overwhelm chat. It only got colder, as we entered the canyon proper. Three others - used to the 5-minute grace - soon arrived and also began their 800' climb up to the ghost of Lincoln Logs. Along the way, we passed 6 apparently-more-savvy runners who ran the Shultz-Rocky Ridge loop backwards, thus saving the bone-chilling part for a faster, downhill leg. At our turn-around, we split into three groups, with some heading back the way we came, three climbing another 400', taking the Little Gnarly-Lower Brookbank-Elden Road path, and two following a rugged Jedi-Lost Burrito route.


Most folks met back at the Kick Stand for coffee & idle talk. While we didn't have access to Neil's FB password, we thought it would be a good idea for him to organize a Jingle Bell run some evening soon.

Annual Beaver Creek Polar Bear Run Plunge

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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.

Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail, aka, Heaven on Earth!

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5 NATRA runners and Dylan ran the rugged Sycamore Rim Trail on the Kaibab National Forest. The trail cross the historic Overland Trail, a military route built in 1863 between Flagstaff and Prescott. It also passes by Dow Springs, an important water source and way station along the military road. Evidence of the stations old buildings are still present as are the remains of a sawmill and railroad grade associated with logging operations in the 1920s. Along the rim trail there are spectacular views of the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. Closer to the head of the canyon there are pools of crystal clear water laden with beautiful lily pads. After the 8 mile out and back trip, we filled up on the delicious, icy cold water rushing out of the Dow Springs pipe.

Turkey Predictor Run 2012

Nat White explains the one rule....no watches allowed!

 

13 NATRA runners made room for Thanksgiving dinner by running 4.5 miles on the Lower Oldham trail and then joined in on the 31st Annual Free Flagstaff Road and Track Club Turkey Predictor 2 Mile Fun Run. The two mile fun run has been a great local tradtion for family and friends.

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. 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!!!!