Stevens Trail

Do you have a tendency to get into a rut on the routes you run? For me I have a staple run that I call "around the block". If I tell the Mrs I'm running around the block she knows I'll be gone for an hour and a half or so (more if I stop to socialize at the shop on the way home). For me running my standard routes isn't tedious, but comfortable. Be that as it may when I do branch out from my standard runs and do something less familiar I usually find myself thinking, "I should do this more often". That's certainly the case with the Stevens Trail in Colfax. Years ago when I lived within a few miles of it I discovered the trail and enjoyed it. My first couple times I turned around just a short way down the trail when I reached the waterfall area. I was amazed at how steep the trail was and couldn't imagine continuing the full 4 1/2 miles to the river as the sign at the top stated. When I did finally push past the upper section I found the lower 2/3 of the trail to be much more gradual and beautiful.

the lower Stevens trail gradually wends its way down hill

I've found myself driving down the hill from Truckee after working the last few weeks and have been stopping off once a week or so to run the Stevens Trail. It has seen a slide recently and the spring growth is crowding the trail in parts but is still easily passable and as beautiful as ever. Now that the days are growing longer I'm even getting back to the top before it gets dark. The wild flowers are blooming, everything is green and the trail is in great shape.

So, if you haven't run it lately or have never been, head to the Stevens Trail and run. There's a description and map here if you'd like to check it out before you go. Let us know what you think and what your other favorite trails are.

Matt

Cheers!

Twiet and Chops (pacer) toast ice cream at Buzzard's Cove aid station

Congratulations to all who ran the American River 50 last weekend. It was a great day out there with near ideal weather and trail conditions. Full results are here. Geoff Roes took his mountain hundred miler experience and showed that he can lay it out on a fast course with very little elevation gain. Andy Henshaw came back to life to pass Max King and seize second place after dealing with cramps 35 miles into the day.

Andy Henshaw running into Buzzard's Cove

On the women's side Tracy Garneau took first furthering the northern domination followed by Pam Smith in second and Auburn's own Anne Hitchcock in third.

Anne Hitchcock smiles her way along the trail

Shop Run Saturday 4/10

Good luck to June and all those running American River 50 tomorrow. Look for Connor and friends under the ARC pop up at last gasp as well as Matt, Aaron, Aurora, Jim and Carey at Buzzards Cove. We'll have ice cream and we'll see if Twiet is the first customer again this year.

For those not running from Sacramento to Auburn tomorrow join Bob and company at the shop at 8am for a run in the canyon. We'll head down the States trail to No Hands Bridge. This way we won't interfere with AR 50. We plan to head back the same way so be ready for some climbing. Hope to see you there.

Shop Run Saturday 4/3

This Saturday's run will be out to the American River Trail for some miles and returning up the final 3 mile climb to the Overlook and back to the store. There has been a request or two to go longer, so if anyone wants to go for extra miles we can talk about it at the start. Meet at the shop at 8 and we'll head out to hurdle some poison oak.

Also, check out the stacks of people who made the trek and ran the Lake Sonoma 50. Results and splits here. It was amazing how many Auburn Running Company shirts were there.

Shop Run Saturday 3/27

We will be leaving the Auburn Running Company this Saturday at 8 AM and will be heading to the trails. We plan to be back before 10 AM so plan on just under a 2 hour run. It's for all abilities. No one left behind. June & Austin will be leading out the group. Hope to see you there.

Also, we need to point out how very well a couple of young runners from Auburn did at the Pirates Cove 50k last weekend. Christian and Austin ran 4:38 and 4:53 for 3rd and 5th place! Full results here. Nicely done lad. I owe you coffee Austin.

Run Options Saturday 3/20

There are a few options for a Saturday morning run in beautiful spring weather and on trails that couldn't be in much better shape. We'll run from the shop at 8am returning before 10am so Bob can open the doors. It will be in the 8-10 mile range and as anything on that trails that starts in Auburn, count on some hills.

For those training for the American River 50 or otherwise hoping to go a bit longer James is again hosting a low key training run complete with support. Here's the word from him:

Trail Running Friends,

AR50 is drawing near and it’s time to plan your last long training run. There is no better way to get that last long run in than join us for the Unofficial AR50 Training Run. Please join me and 40 or 50 of your best trail running friends at The Auburn Overlook on March 20th at 7:00 AM. Please see below for all of the details. Email or call me if you have additional questions. It’s a lot of fun!

Unofficial AR50 Training Run #2

Date: Saturday March 20, 2010

Time: 7:00 AM

Location: Auburn Overlook

Run Distance: 23 miles or 31 miles

Run Course: The 23 mile training run will start at Beals Point and run the equestrian trail back to the Overlook. The 31 mile run will start at Nimbus Fish Hatchery and follow the bike trail equestrian trails back. The trail has some technical and rocky sections and concludes with a 1200 foot climb.

Aid Station: There will be two fully stocked and manned “ultra-style” aid stations. The first will be located at Beals Point and the second will be located at Horseshoe Bar.

Cost: Free!

Carpool: There is no bus. After a short briefing we will break into carpools and travel down to the start locations. If you have a vehicle that fits lots of people please bring it! After the run we can arrange for rides back to the driver’s cars.

Picnic: After the run you are welcome to hang out at the Overlook and socialize with all your trail running friends. We will have some food and drinks for all. We encourage you to bring something (food or beverages) to share with your friends. I will provide some.

These runs are a great opportunity to get familiar with the trail portion of AR50 and a fun time to run with old friend and to make some new ones.

If you or someone you know is interested in running one or both off the runs please let me know about by about one week prior. I would like a rough headcount so I can plan appropriately.

If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact me.

James

Shop Run Saturday 3/13

For those not running the Way Too Cool 50k this Saturday we have a chance run on trails that are not way too crowded. We'll meet at the shop at 8am and run down river toward Rattlesnake Bar. As it is an out and back run people can turn around where they like making the run as long or short as they like. I (Matt) hope to go about 15 miles or so and will likely be feeling the affects of the "speed work" I did this morning (see photo).

Hope to see you there!