“Run for 20 minutes and will feel better, run another 20 and you might tire, add on 3 hours and you’ll hurt, but keep going and you’ll see and smell and hear and taste the world with vividness that will make your former life pale.” Scott Jurek
“It hurst up to a point and then it doesn’t get any worse.” Ann Trason
Life is good and I cannot complain too much at the moment!! Ed B.
Really love that quote. It is my own, but I am not partial. Just that, it is my reality. As I have gotten older everyday that I wake up and become mindful of taking a breath…well that is a good day.
Looking West towards Cameron Pass
I have been in Steamboat Springs since Tuesday Night. Nice place to just hang out. The drive from Fort Collins to Steamboat was beautiful. The Aspens are in their “changing color” mode and the views were a little extra special around Cameron Pass. Really hard to do it justice with the pictures.
Steamboat itself is an interesting place. After multi visits here over the years, you start to appreciate the “mountain towns” that were actually a thriving community before they became ski area destinations. There is a little more of a solid feel to them than just a tourist trap so to speak. It has the feel of a much bigger town in some respects but still, I think, maintains the small town atmosphere. By 8pm at night, most shops have closed up, except the bars. Which can be an inconvenience or depending on how you see it, refreshing. Even in summer it is a bustling place. Just the amount of traffic on highway 40 (Main Street in town) can be daunghting.
From the base of the ski area
From mid way up Mount Werner
Main Street in Steamboat looking East
Yampa River in Steamboat looking West
Well the Run Rabbit Run 100 went pretty well. We had great weather. A little hot at times, but clear skis for the start of the race. Not like last year with the smoke from surrounding wildfires. The Silver Creek fire did flare up again but luckily the winds were in the right direction to keep the smoke south of Steamboat this year for the 100 mile race.
Looking South from I-40/Hwy 14
From the bike trail in Steamboat
This year, the race for me ended at the 50 mile mark. I timed out. But even with this, it was a great race. This is only the second attempt for me of 100 miles. I timed out 2 years ago at the Leadville 100, again at the 50 mile mark. I learned a lot this weekend. Simple things like running through the woods in the night, staying warm after running 35 miles, what you can eat and not eat, and the proper utilization of drop bags. All of these things sound simple enough but when you are in the thick of things they can all add up to mean the difference from a “death march” type race, to one that is a lot more enjoyable. I have to say I felt pretty good after running the 50 miles. Sure I was sore but I did not feel like I needed the ER. Lol
Before picture!
After 50 miles and 18 hours of running!
I have now done the 50 mile distance 6 times in the last 5 years. 4 times for an actual race finish and twice while attempting 100s. I guess the 100 mile will have to wait another year. My wife Janet is always good to remind me that 50 miles is nothing to put down. As she has reminded me more than once. 50 miles is still 50 miles.
Looking down from Fish Creek Falls Trail during the run
Long Lake, second aid station on the run
This race is consider a “hard” 100 miler and I do believe that it lived up to its reputation. The added Fish Creek Falls Trail section was beautiful, especially the downhill section until the relization hits you that you have to turn around at the bottom and run/walk back up, add in alot of heat for the day and well… you get the picture. I believe I consumed about 10 liters of water for the day. During the night when the temps dropped into the 40s, the aid stations at Summit Lake and Billy’s Rabbit Hole were outstanding. Well organized and very helpful with a palpable energy from the volunteers. I can tell you they truly made a difference in my race. The “potato soup” at both stations was fantastic. All and all the race was what I expected it to be. A class act when you consider that it is all volunteers that are making this happen. I hope to be back next year.
Before I go I would like to give a big thank you to the Race Committee, and all the volunteers. Without you this type of event would not be possible. THANK YOU!!
And a reminder that without the support of the sponsors this event would not be possible. Thank you to: Altra, Honey Stinger, Black Diamond, IceSpike, Smartwool, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Tailwind, Ultimate Direction.
Well that is about it for me this week. Hope to see you out there on the trails!! Adios amigos!!