The Big Tesuque Trail Run is a 12 mile out and back run in the mountains outside Santa Fe. It starts near Hyde Park at an elevation of about 10,000 feet, and travels on a forest service road/trail up to Tesuque Peak at the Santa Fe Ski Area at 12,043 feet. In the winter time this is a popular back country ski area. In the fall, as you would probably guess from the changing aspen leaves, it is a popular hike.
On October 4th, it was a popular place to run. Over 100 people showed up on the chilly fall morning to run the 6 miles up the mountain, and then back down. It wasn't as steep as La Luz, nor as long and grueling as Imogene, but it was challenging nonetheless. I hadn't run a whole lot since the Imogene Pass Run in early September. Maybe once or twice a week, but at least it was mixed in with a good deal of biking and playing soccer.
I didn't feel extremely great - "my guts hurt" from perhaps dinner the night before (who eats baked crab wrapped in flounder the night before a race?? Me). But I still did pretty well. It took me 1:43 to finish. I took 12th overall (men and women), and was the 3rd woman to cross the finish line.
