Paiute Meadows 30K: The Trail That Humbled Me
- Mai Smith-Trau
- Jun 28
- 5 min read
Sometimes you sign up for a race because it looks fun. Sometimes you sign up because the medal is cool. And sometimes you sign up because it's close to home and think, "How hard can it be?"
Spoiler alert: those are usually the races that humble you the most.
The Paiute Meadows 30K was one of those races. My husband and I originally signed up because we wanted to support our local running community. We had heard great things about the race organizers and figured it would be a fun challenge. What we didn't expect was that it would become one of our favorite trail races to date.
Training Like Local Tourists
Because this race was practically in our backyard, we decided to train on the course every weekend. My husband has a healthy fear of getting lost after accidentally taking a wrong turn during a previous run. Let's just say that experience left an impression. Since then, he likes to know exactly where he's going before race day. So we broke the course into sections and spent weeks exploring. I used my Strava maps to track routes, and we had help from a friend who knew the area well. The funny thing is that I've lived here for over ten years and have never really explored it. Apparently, I needed a race bib to discover my own backyard. After a couple of weeks of training through snow, rain, mud, sunshine, and everything in between, I fell completely in love with the area.
Well... most of it.
Me vs. Lazy Lizard Trail
There is one section called Lazy Lizard. Lazy Lizard and I are not friends. We will never be friends. I respect Lazy Lizard. I will race Lazy Lizard. But I do not like Lazy Lizard. And the feeling is probably mutual. The trail sits right in the middle of the 30K course and became the setting for one of my most memorable training adventures.
The Great Bubby Rescue Mission
One weekend, I thought it would be a fantastic idea to bring my dog Bubby along. For those who don't know Bubby, he's a smooshy-faced dog who believes he is an elite athlete despite all evidence to the contrary. The day started great. Bubby was excited. I was excited. Everything was wonderful. Until it wasn't. The weather ended up being warmer than expected, and Bubby began struggling to cool himself down. Being a flat-faced dog, heat is not his friend. The nearest creek was over a mile away. My husband was nowhere near me. My son was at home.
And suddenly I found myself carrying a 40-to-50-pound dog down a mountain.
There were tears.
There was begging.
There was bargaining.
Mostly from me.
Eventually, we made it to the creek, where Bubby cooled off while I questioned every life decision that had brought me to that moment. My son came to rescue us and got Bubby safely home.
The lesson?
Bubby is not a hiking dog.
Bubby is a couch dog.
A beach dog.
A snack dog.
But definitely not a mountain dog.
The following weekend he was thrilled to see me grabbing my trail shoes and wanted to come along again.
Absolutely not.
Not today, Satan.
Watching the Trail Come Alive
One of my favorite parts of training was watching the landscape change over time. When we started, there was still snow in some places.
The trails were muddy.
The trees were bare.
The creeks were flowing strong.
By race day, everything had transformed. The section I lovingly call "Star Wars Land" had exploded into shades of green. Wildflowers were blooming. Leaves filled the trees. The creeks had begun to shrink. The entire area felt alive. Every week there was something new to discover. I became slightly obsessed with photographing all the little bridges throughout the course. And then there was the car. Yes, the car. Hidden among the trees is an old vehicle that looks like it's been there since the 1970s. It's wrapped around a tree and slowly being reclaimed by nature. Leaves grow through it. Birds nest inside it.
Every time I ran past it, I invented a new story about how it ended up there.
My favorite theory changes weekly.
What This Race Taught Me
The race itself was incredible, but the biggest lessons came from the training. I learned that I am stronger than I thought. I learned that pain absolutely affects performance and that waiting too long to address pain is never a good idea. I learned that I can cover 19 miles. Nineteen miles. When I first started running, thirteen miles sounded impossible. Now I've completed nineteen on trails. That realization gave me something I didn't expect:
Confidence.
Confidence that I can finish a marathon.
Will it be pretty?
Probably not.
Will it be fast?
Definitely not.
Will I finish?
Absolutely.
Trail running has a way of humbling you while simultaneously building your confidence. It teaches you patience. It teaches you respect for the terrain.
And it teaches you that consistency beats perfection every single time.
Race Day Success
A huge thank you goes to Linda and the entire crew at Bizz Johnson Running Company. Everything was incredibly well organized. The course markings were excellent. There was never any confusion about where to go. The volunteers were friendly, encouraging, and genuinely excited for every runner. And let's talk about the medals. Because as many of you know, I am absolutely a medal chaser. The medals were fantastic and well worth the effort. This race checked every box for us:
✔ Beautiful scenery
✔ Challenging trails
✔ Great organization
✔ Amazing volunteers
✔ Fantastic medals
✔ A course that will test you in all the best ways
We will absolutely be back for more races with this group.
Maybe even Lazy Lizard.
Maybe.
Final Thoughts
The Paiute Meadows 30K wasn't just a race.
It was a reminder that growth happens when we challenge ourselves.
It reminded me that progress doesn't happen overnight.
It reminded me that training matters.
And most importantly, it reminded me that sometimes the most rewarding adventures happen right in your own backyard.
Even if they involve carrying a stubborn dog down a mountain.
Your journey begins the moment you decide you're worth the effort. We've got this—together. See you at the next run. 🏃♀️✨🏅
Medical Disclaimer: As a medical professional and fitness trainer, I occasionally share health, wellness, fitness, and training topics based on both professional knowledge and personal experience. The content on this blog is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered personal medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise, nutrition, medication, or lifestyle program.
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