Weekly Newsletter

Week 15 – Monday, October 20, 2025

It is officially race season. What a weekend it was at Lake Sonoma. Both the 55K and 100K courses tested every runner who toed the line, and the results speak for themselves. Every Ascend athlete who entered the race finished. Carly Bryant, David Imach, Michael Otto, Katherine Theus, and Kent Yinger all completed the 55K, with Carly landing on the podium in third place. Angelica Lerro, Neil Ortiz, and Kelly Ridgeway all crushed the 100K and earned a Western States qualifier. Congratulations to everyone who ran, and a big thank you to those who came out to volunteer and cheer. The support of this community makes weekends like that possible.

Next up is Rio Del Lago, where we will have another strong showing across the 50K and 100-mile distances, along with pacers and crew from Ascend. This week serves as a bridge between two major events, giving everyone a chance to recover, reflect, and get ready for what comes next. Whether you are racing, tapering, or just keeping the rhythm, stay consistent and enjoy the momentum we have built together.

—The Ascend Trail Running Team

Group Runs This Week

Wednesday Quality Session

Location: Channel Drive Parking Lot
Time: 5:45 PM
Parking: Free along Channel Drive
Restrooms: None at trailhead
Workout Structure:

• Warm-up: Band activation + 1.5 mile jog
• Drills: A-skips, B-skips, C-skips (no strides this week)
• Main Set: 4 x 3 minutes on / 1 minute off
• Cooldown: ~1.5 mile jog

Howdy! This is the 15th week of our Summer-Fall camp and I have to say, it feels bittersweet. This has been our longest camp and build up for any race we’ve trained for together. This won’t be our last camp by any means. We look forward to doing this again and again. I hope you’ll keep joining us. It’s been absolutely wonderful working out with like minded folks and building a real community around training and racing to the best of our ability.

Anyways, the workout. I don’t believe anyone is racing this weekend so we are going to sneak in one more workout with short rest. It’s the same as last week, but with 1 minute rest. With a lot of us starting to taper you should feel strong throughout this workout and leave Wednesday feeling confident about your upcoming race. The taper might have you feeling a little anxious or excited but don’t over do it! There is plenty of time to recover but remember not to push too hard and stay in control. Pushing into VO2 max effort even for a few minutes will leave you feeling a lot more fatigued the next morning. Save it for when it matters most, race day baby.
Deep dig,
Dream big.

Weekend Long Run

Location: Trione-Annadel State Park (starting at The Trail House)
Time: 7:30 am
Parking: Sonoma County Parks Pass required / Kiosk at parking lot
Restrooms: Available at trail head

Trail House has graciously offered to open early so we can meet, run, and hang out afterward. Annadel’s familiar singletrack and rolling hills make it a great spot for a relaxed weekend run and time together as a group. For those racing Rio, this week is all about staying sharp while keeping your legs fresh. Use this time to focus on your mental game. Revisit your “why,” fine-tune your pacing strategy, and visualize success. You have done the work. Now it is about trusting your preparation and letting the taper do its job

Recommended Maps

Week 15 – Short	~ 4.2 miles	253 feet
Week 15 – Long	~9.5 miles	806 feet

Matt’s Tip of the Week: Stay Connected

As race season reaches full swing, it can be easy to get caught up in logistics, gear, and nerves. Take a step back and remember that every race, every long run, and every moment out on the trails connects you to something bigger. You are part of a community that shows up for one another, pushes through challenges, and celebrates every finish.

When things get tough on race day, look around. Think of the people who trained with you, those who volunteered at aid stations, and those waiting at the finish. That connection is what keeps you moving when the legs start to fade. Let it carry you forward.

Looking Ahead

November 1 – Rio Del Lago 50K / 100 Mile Weekend
Several Ascend runners will be racing, pacing, and crewing at Rio Del Lago. It is one of Northern California’s classic ultramarathons and an important weekend for our group. Let us know if you would like to volunteer, crew, or support during the event.

Further Off – End of Year BBQ
We are planning an end-of-year barbecue to celebrate the close of the season and the accomplishments of the group. Final details and dates are being confirmed, and we will share more information soon.

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Thinking About Joining?

If you are new or curious about Ascend, Wednesday nights are a great entry point. Each workout is structured to benefit a wide range of paces and experience levels. Whether you are training for a race or simply looking to run more consistently, you are welcome to join us and see what structured trail training is like.

See you on the trails,
The Ascend Trail Running Team

Have Questions?

We are here to help. Reply to this email, or reach out via ascendtrailrunning@gmail.com.