Heart & Sole: Coping with Loss through Running

Jen LaughlinCommunity

Here at Aravaipa Running, our community means everything. At events, at group runs, and virtually on social media. The passion, kindness and heart of our trail running community continuously motivates and inspires us because there’s usually a reason far beyond fitness for why folks do what they do, and subsequently, a story to tell. West Valley resident Andee Arrom is an example of one of those community members who has a story to tell. Continue below to read more about Andee, her “why” for running, and how she’s successfully blended her career with her passion for exercise and how running and community was imperative to helping her cope with two devastating losses. My name is …

Lessons in Life at Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs

Jen LaughlinRace Preview

I decided last year to sit Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs out and immediately regretted it. It was the first time I had missed that race since I ripped of the endurance band-aid and became an “ultra runner” back in 2014 when I barely finished the 50k. Every year since I had gone back to take on a different distance, eventually repeating a few, improving on previous year’s finishing times or having a different race experience entirely because you see at Mesquite Canyon, you never know what you’re going to get.Mesquite Canyon Trail Runs is the final race in our Desert Runner Trail Series. It happens each year in March, and if you’re competing in the …

My New Favorite: The 2022 Crown King Scramble 50K

Bryce BrooksRace Report

2022 was my first time running Crown King, so I’ll begin by saying the Crown King Scramble is the most fun 50K race I’ve participated in. Everything from the course itself to the history along the route, to the finish line atmosphere in Crown King all fits together perfectly for this unique point to point uphill 50K. A little background on the history of the race: First ran in 1981, this route was devised by Bruce Wise as a training run for Western States. At the time it wasn’t an official race, but it would soon gain in popularity until 1987 when the official race was first held. Put together by AZ Road Racers, the …

Humbled by My First 50 Miler at Ram Party

Bryce BrooksUncategorized

Ram Party Trail Runs take place out of Colorado Springs, Colorado in May and includes distances from 5K to 50 Mile. The races are split between Saturday and Sunday with the 50 Mile starting from  Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort on Saturday. The “shorter distances” begin at Rainbow Gulch Trailhead and run around Rampart Reservoir before returning to the finish line, where the real RamPart[y] begins. Anyway, last year around April I was coming off a string of 50K races and was looking to jump up in distance so I decided to sign-up for the Inaugural Ram Party 54 Mile race. This was putting myself out of my comfort zone for a few reasons. 1) This was …

My New Best Race at San Tan Scramble Trail Runs

Jen LaughlinRace Report

San Tan Mountain Regional Park and my house literally could not be father apart. Folks joke that I live in Southern California because of just how far west of Phoenix I am, so it’s no surprise that I rarely go as far as Queen Creek to run a race, but since I had recently had a taste of its sweet trails at Sinister, our night race that we host at San Tan and loved it, I figured it was time to explore San Tan some more, so I signed up for San Tan Scramble 17k back in January 2021. January 2021 was still the “Covid Era”, so things at races were still a bit different. …

It’s All a Blur at Cave Creek Thriller 50K

Bryce BrooksRace Report

The Cave Creek Thriller 50K is the third race in the Desert Runner Trail (DRT) Series. It is unique in that it has the only point to point courses in the entire 7 race Series. Last year’s event was my third 50K (after running the Pass Mountain and McDowell Mountain Frenzy 50Ks). The 50K course, the longest distance at Cave Creek Thriller, begins out of the Agua Fria Trailhead and follows the Maricopa Trail most of the way to Cave Creek Regional Park.  50K runners who are taking the shuttle will need to be at the finish line in Cave Creek Regional Park prior to 5:30AM. If you can talk someone into driving you to …

Winter Running Tips with Corinne Shalvoy

Bryce BrooksRunning Tips

Winter is almost upon us. Here in Phoenix it usually means long sleeve shirts instead of short sleeves, however, that’s not the case for most of the country. Winter brings with it snow, which can make it hard to train! That is of course, if you are not prepared. Aravaipa Colorado Racing Team Member, Corinne Shalvoy is no stranger to running in inclement weather. Being a Castle Rock, CO resident and leader of the Castle Rock Run Club, Corinne is a pro when it comes to running in cold and snowy weather so we asked her to share her most valuable Winter Running Tips to help you continue your training into the upcoming winter season. …

Legends of Superior

Bryce BrooksUncategorized

The History Surrounding Picketpost Mountain and the Copper Corridor Trail Runs There are a few races on the Aravaipa Running race calendar that come to mind when thinking about courses that run through areas containing a lot of interesting history. Copper Corridor is certainly one of those races. Copper Corridor starts and finishes in the Town of Superior, AZ, which is a quiet town about an hour drive from Phoenix. While a one hour drive doesn’t seem like much, there is a stark contrast between the Phoenix Valley and the Town of Superior. Driving into Superior from Phoenix takes you directly east as you skirt just south of the towering Superstition Ridgeline along Highway 60 …

Marathon Race Nutrition – Fueling Tips

Bryce BrooksRunning Tips

Aravaipa Racing Team member Colleen Lingley is no stranger to long efforts. Colleen has completed numerous ultramarathons and trail races, including two 100-Mile finishes. She’s also a registered dietitian in Flagstaff so she certainly knows her stuff when it comes to race fueling… With Colleen being such an expert, we couldn’t think of a more knowledgable person in our running community to provide some guidance around race preparation and in-race nutrition. Here’s Colleen’s most valuable race nutrition tips: Many of us have heard not to try anything new on race day, and in this case, the topic is fuel. Backing up to the week leading up to the race, fueling is also important.  1. Seven …

Tips for Boston Qualifiers

Bryce BrooksRunning Tips

The Boston Marathon, one of six World Marathon Majors, is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the best known road races in the world. In order to qualify for the Boston Marathon you must run a Boston Qualifier (BQ) marathon at a particular (relatively fast) pace based on age and gender. Qualifying marathons must be USATF certified, have three or more competitors, and be promoted prior to race day. Nicole Lane is a road running specialist on the Aravaipa Racing Team who has a long list of running achievements, including qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2020. We asked Nicole for her 5 most crucial tips for running a Boston …