Formidable… and Apparently So Was My Overconfidence 😅
- Mai Smith-Trau
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Let me just start by saying: I clearly did not understand what “formidable” meant when I signed up for this race.
For reference, formidable means inspiring fear or respect through being impressively powerful, intense, or capable.
Cool, cool… sounds fun, right? 🙃
Looking back now, I have to laugh because when I signed up for this race in Auburn, I thought, “No big deal. I’ve been on this trail before. I got this.” I saw the medal preview and thought, “Oh yeah, I’m absolutely doing this.”
Well… joke’s on me.
And my husband.
And my friend (who is somehow still my friend after this… bless her 😂).
Auburn: Hidden Gem… and Leg Destroyer
First of all—Auburn, CA? Stunning. Absolutely underrated.
I’ve lived “near-ish” this area for over 40 years and somehow had no clue how incredible these trails are. Whether you’re racing or just hiking, this place is 100% worth the visit. Pro tip: grab a state park day pass (or library pass!) so parking doesn’t become its own endurance event.
The Race That Humbled Me Real Quick
Let’s talk about the course…
You know that cute little elevation chart they show when you sign up?
Yeah… I ignored that.
Turns out, that tiny graph is not decorative. It is a warning. 🚨
This race had:
Steep climbs that questioned my life choices
Downhills that felt like controlled falling
Mud (so much mud)
Random “oh this is nice” flat spots that lasted 30 seconds
And a gorgeous waterfall—perfect for a quick “I’m dying but make it aesthetic” photo
My husband even brought his Insta360 for the first time, so we’ve got proof of the chaos. If you ever want to see what regret looks like in motion… stay tuned 😂
Let’s Be Honest: I’m Here for the Snacks
If you know me, you know I judge races on two things:
The medal 🏅
The snacks 🍿
And let me tell you… this race delivered.
Mid-race fuel station? Elite:
Hashbrowns (yes please)
Sausage
Waffles
Fruit
Coke (liquid gold at mile whatever-that-was)
Finish line? Chili and cornbread.
I mean… come on. That alone might bring me back.
Because let’s be real—I may be training like an athlete, but deep down… I’m still a snack-loving kid at heart 😂
Gear & Lessons Learned the Hard Way
A few takeaways from someone who learned mid-race:
Trail shoes are NOT optional. Unless you enjoy sliding like Bambi on ice.
Layers matter. I start every race freezing and questioning my life. Then 10 minutes in, I regret every layer. It’s a toxic cycle.
Fueling matters (even if you don’t love it).
We keep it simple: bananas, peanut butter, electrolytes, water.
During the race? Gels, waffles, and whatever sugar will save my soul.
Also—don’t be me and think, “It’s a short race, I’ll be fine.” That mindset will humble you
REAL quick.
So… Will We Do It Again?
Absolutely.
Because as brutal as it was… it was also:
Beautiful
Challenging in the best way
Filled with the kindest people
And honestly? Kind of addicting
This race earned its name. It was formidable in every sense—and that’s exactly why we’ll be back.
If you’re looking for a race that will push you, test you, and maybe make you question your sanity just a little… this is it.
Come join us next time.
Say hi.
Share your story.
Grab snacks with us at the finish line.
We’re all out here doing hard things together—and somehow having a blast doing it. 💪✨
Your journey begins the moment you decide you’re worth the effort.
We’ve got this—together.
See you at the next run. 🏃♀️✨🏅
Comments