BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-Hit the trails

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about how hitting the trails can help you renew your love of running and motivate you to find some trails near you. 

So if you've never run the world-famous Dogwood Canyon trail run, all I can say is you're missing out. Not only is it, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful trail in the Midwest but with a 15k, 25k and 50k option, it's a run that is perfect for both the beginner and the seasoned trail runner. And the Dogwood Challenge (doing the 25k or 50k Saturday and 15k Sunday) is an event that people use every year to challenge themselves in a way they couldn't anywhere else. Seeing so many runners smiling as they crossed the finish line Sunday was a testament to that. There's just something about being in God's creation that makes the miles joyful no matter how difficult they might be.

With that being said, check out what these runners had to say about their experience at Dogwood Canyon last weekend. It's sure to motivate you to get signed up for the 2021 event! God willing, I know I'll be back. This is one of two events (the other being the Bass Pro Marathon) that's back on my calendar the moment I cross the finish line. And I must say that a weekend spent running the hills of Dogwood Canyon refreshes my soul in ways that I could never explain. All I can say is, "there's just something special about those hills."

I started trail running almost a year ago. It was intimidating at first but I quickly fell in love with it. This weekend was only my second trail race and my first time at Dogwood. I participated in the 25K/15K challenge because I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. I believe in the saying “your body can achieve with the mind believes“ I went into this weekend with a clear mind and an open heart and let the trail be my guide. I had so much fun! I loved seeing so many of my friends out there and all of us cheering each other on. It was one of the best race experiences I ever had and I will be back again!- Shelly Skeins Stout

From L to R, John Everett, Melissa Martinez, Paul Maness

I was just getting into ultras and loved trails. The Bass Pro events were always fun so I signed up for the challenge. That was 2012 I believe. Think I've only missed one year since. It's an absolute favorite.- Paul Maness

After years of road running/racing with zero trail experience, I was talked into running Dogwood by my daughter Sarah, and quickly feel in love with it, and other trail races. I only do a few trail races each year, but this is one of a couple that are must runs. After a couple of years of running the 15k, Sarah convinced me to do the challenge, which makes for a great weekend of racing. I enjoy the nature aspect of the races, as well as the varied terrain, which keeps the run interesting along with the pace, whereas road racing the mental focus is (mostly) speed and pace only. Dogwood Canyon events keep me returning due to the course, the great organization , the cool perks, and of course the people who also show up to run. It’s definitely one of the best weekends of the year, regardless of the weather, which, it being during fall, the best time of the year, is usually awesome!- John Everett

I started off a few years back by running the 15K, I have run the 15K/25K Challenge I think three times (not positive) and just the 25K this year. It is just such a beautiful place to run in the woods. Last year I nearly rolled into the photographer that was stationed on the other side of the gulley. I thought I had made it all the way to the top and reached for a tree to get my balance and missed, then fell and started rolling towards the photographer, luckily stopped right by her side. All I could think was that I was going to knock the photographer over the ledge. She was so sweet and asked if I was ok. I was fine, just embarrassed. - Gary Momphard

This was my 4th year to do Dogwood! but my first year to actually feel like I trained for trail! I started off with the 25k/15k then 2 years of the 50k then got brave this year with the 50k/15! This was the best and the most fun and I set and huge course 50K PR and a first place age group award for myself. It is just addicting. When I am out there I think to myself "how can something so painful and so hard be so amazing and so fun and so rewarding at the same time?" Today I can't even bend down to tie my shoe or sit down to pee but at the same time I just want to go do it again! - Jill Sigman

I did the Dogwood Canyon 15K for the first time Sunday. Until last year, I completely avoided running hills, but I love running trails. In Missouri, those two things just do not go together. I saw how much fun Melissa Martinez had at Dogwood Canyon last year and decided “what the heck, I’m going to at least try.” I trained extremely hard on those dreaded hills, and you know what, eventually I didn’t hate them as much. The downhills make it all worth it! Dogwood Canyon was absolutely my favorite run EVER! It was extremely difficult. Two of the hills on the 15K were brutal. However, I have never felt so much joy while running! The water crossings were my favorite. I did not care about my finish time. I connected with some awesome people in those hills! I hope so much to see them again. It seemed like everyone was just enjoying their time with nature and the beauty surrounding us. It took me away from everything going on in the world for a lovely moment. I “drank the Kool-Aid” and am so excited to sign up for the challenge next time, 25/15 in 2021! - Rebecca Ito

I chose to do to run the Bass Pro 50k/15K challenge. I haven't ran a distance longer than a half marathon in many years due to a series of running related injuries. This year I focused on strength training and flexibility work through yoga which enabled me to be able to run an ultra distance event. My mantra is “Do Hard Things" and I've heard Dogwood Canyon is quite challenging. The course did not disappoint. I really appreciated the positive vibes and the encouragement from one another. In a year with so much angst and uncertainty, it was great to see so many people uplift one another. I will be back next year!- Jay Tiegs

You asked how or why I do these endurance events. I've thought a lot about it. I feel an obligation to try and achieve these physical feats as so many are not able to. For me it's a feeling of obligation. Because I can, I should. There are so many people out there that simply cannot do these things due to a physical disability or illness. My sister has MS and I think that's where it all started for me. And what do I love about Dogwood? Trail running is more scenic and the miles go by so much faster. Dogwood is as scenic as you will find anywhere in the Midwest. I'll be back for the beauty of the area, and the beauty of the people. Everyone was so supportive. Anyone can do this race, especially the 15k. Just lace up and go. - Jeff Holley

Just lace up and go! Do you just love that or what? 

And you know, Dogwood Canyon is such a beautiful place to be that you will most always find runners who love this race volunteering when they are either injured and can't run or are tapering for another race. Lisa Geary is one of those runners who has volunteered for many years and was out cheering everyone on over the weekend as she joyfully passed out Powerade and shouted words of encouragement. This was what she had to say about Dogwood... 

My first year volunteering at Dogwood Canyon Trail Race was in 2017; Heidi Thomas and I handed out medals to runners as they crossed the finish line. I enjoyed watching their smiles of accomplishment spread across their faces. The next year, I returned to run the 15K on Saturday and volunteered on Sunday. In 2019 both Heidi and I returned to once again work an aid station. We volunteered on Saturday for the 15K and ran the 25K on Sunday. How can you not like volunteering in the beautiful scenery Dogwood Canyon has to offer? I enjoyed cheering for the runners. After running the 15k in 2018, I knew what they had endured in just the first 4 miles. And all it took was a few cheers of encouragement, a warm smile and refreshing drink to put a smile back on their faces. Now it’s 2020, what a year! It’s early Spring, training begins to amp up for all the races scheduled and COVID hits. People are in lockdown, social distancing is in full swing and several businesses have closed. Luckily, the Bass Pro Fitness series pushed forward and began revamping the way the races would be held. I knew volunteers were going to be needed more than ever for Dogwood Canyon. I decided not to run either day and registered to volunteer both Saturday and Sunday. This year was a little different, because of COVID and social distancing. Our aid station was unable to offer anything other than water and Powerade. Since we were gifted with a beautiful sunny and warm weekend, the runners really needed that refreshing swig of goodness.  - Lisa Geary

So there you have it. Whether running or volunteering, there is absolutely no better place to be the first weekend in November than at the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. And while the Dogwood Canyon trail run has always filled my soul with peace and my heart with joy, it did even more so this year because of the events of 2020. And I wasn't the only one that felt that way. With all the chaos going on in our world, I noticed that most of the runners were in no hurry to leave the quiet tranquility and refuge the hills, hollers, and streams seemed to give. And for a brief moment in time, we were able to forget about our cares and enjoy each day for what it was... a gift. That's what trail running does though. It reminds us of how blessed we truly are. 

So if you're able, get out to the trails today. You might not be able to be at Dogwood Canyon, but you can still get out to smell the fresh air, enjoy the coolness of the morning, hear the sounds of the leaves falling, and put some dirt under your feet for a few miles while you count the many reasons you have to smile. You'll be so glad you did.  

Happy Running!!!