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Run Rabbit Run – Steamboat 50 race report

Posted on September 18, 2010 by Aaron K

My first 50 mile trail race (attempt)…was also my first DNF at any race. But at least it was a really fun DNF!

I pulled out of the race at mile 32 because miles 30-32 turned into a limp-a-thon due to my left hip starting to get really tight and the tendon over my hip getting inflamed.

A super nice guy named Russ gave me some Ibuprofen that kicked in and was masking the pain and allowing me to run. But at the 32 mile aid station I could feel that the tendon over my left hip starting to get really swollen. I am hugely averse to running through tendon pain or swelling because I have been taken out of commission for a 6 month period in the past for doing that. So it was a pretty easy decision for me to hitch a ride back to the start at that point. I had tons of energy and was fueling perfectly. And other than my hip causing me to go slow and limp, everything else felt awesome. So I’m kind of bummed that my hip didn’t last through a 50 mile finish. But I am very glad that I didn’t keep running today and potentially set myself back a long way.

One benefit of the DNF was that I had a great time watching a lot of the finishers come in. Some smiling, some collapsing, some limping.

Geoff Roes took first in 7:11. I had a chance to meet him the night before and chat for a minute or two. Super nice dude. He seemed kind of unsure about how he would feel, but was hopeful to have a good race.

Bill Fanselow took 2nd in 7:22 – I chatted with him for a while after the race, what a nice guy. I really love the ultra running community, it seems like everybody I meet is really cool. Bill is 43 and this is his first year doing ‘ultras’, but he has been an accomplished triathlete, cyclist, shorter distance trail runner apparently. Bill told me about a really good massage/physical therapist in Boulder who specializes in ART but I can’t remember who the name. Bill, if you happen to see this, can you remind me?

Ryan Burch – took 3rd in 7:30 something, and said he was really happy with the race considering he’s just coming off a knee injury and only got like 2-3 weeks of training in for this. Pretty incredible, he was looking really solid when I saw him on the way back in. Also, a super nice guy. Great meeting you Ryan, and congrats on a great day. I guess that means automatic entry into Western States for you and Bill since Geoff already has a slot!? Really cool if so.

Dylan Bowman – took 4th in under 8 hours. Nice meeting you too Dylan, you totally rocked that for how hard of a day you had. Dylan was totally worked over afterward and expressed that his body was just beat up and broken down. He was limping around. But he had a great reason, the dude just absolutely smashed a tough course in under 8 hours, less than a month after taking 3rd at a very competitive Leadville 100. You’ve got big things ahead Dylan, good luck in your recovery, you deserve a break.

The highlight of the race for me was running with all my kids going into the aid station at Dumont at mile 22. Loved seeing them there and running 1/8 mile with them and hanging with them.

Absolutely loved the run, and felt great afterward, other than my hip, for the 32 miles I did.

And next to running with my kids, I really enjoyed all the people I got to meet and run with. My long time friend and college roommate etc. Danny Currit came out from Seattle. We just had a blast. Thanks for coming out Danny! And congrats on a sub 11 hour finish in your first ever Ultra race, and of course first 50 miler. Totally cool brother. We ran the first 23 or so miles together and really enjoyed it all. It was a perfect morning to run through the mountains. Really beautiful.

And throughout that whole time we ran with a bunch of other cool runners along the way. Met Woody from Highlands ranch, and ran together for a while. Way to finish strong Woody! Love how cheerful you were out there the whole time. And nice meeting Tanya and your girls. You have a seriously fast power hike. Ran with John Gunderson a bunch during the day and saw Patrick at the start and after the turnaround, as well as after the race. Way to gut it out Patrick, tough day man, but you still held strong. You’ll have your day again. And you still beat your time from last year. Enjoyed meeting and hanging out with Jim P from Evergreen at the finish line after. Holy smokes Jim! You killed it! Under 9 hours and 13th over all in a really strong field. Very impressive. Nice meeting you all! And seeing and running with many others. It was such a great day to be out running with cool people and enjoying the mountains.

And what an awesome energy and event! The volunteers and aid stations were fantastic and the race coordinators and directors just did a phenomenal job. Such a cool event and atmosphere, in such a beautiful place and time of year. Weather was awesome, maybe a bit hot later on, but I missed out on most of the hottest part so I can’t complain!

I’m pretty sure I’ll be back again next year. It was so much fun, and I have some unfinished business.