Run Rabbit Run

5th male 7th overall! 9:04 official time. Improvement over Leadville for sure! I STARTED this race with GI issues so it’s kind of a miracle nothing terrible happened there. Died a bit on the last climb but really strong finish that I’m happy about despite barely missing the AG podium and 9 hours. Photos and more later. Crewed by the master Lizzie Shell ! Lots of progress to make still to be ready for Black Canyon 100k. Went out too fast because there was a peloton in the single track I didn’t want to slow down and also I didn’t bring a headlamp so I needed them. Should have slowed to my own pace as soon as we hit the fire road but did not for a couple more miles. Had to poop the entire race but was unable, FYI. Left Werner going in the wrong direction for a bit and had to turn around. Once we hit the single track, spent most of the outbound playing leapfrog with two other guys. Hit the turnaround and kissed the rock at 6th. Started cramping at the turnaround but just eased up and added a little sodium instead of a lot. The turnaround climb had some of the steepest fire road gradients I’ve ever ever seen. Passed two guys on the way back and got passed but a guy and a gal that crushed the final climb where I took a big hit to my pace. Smashed the final descent in the low 7s with Lizzie and sprinted to the finish sub 6. Really just had to focus on not getting side stitches for that bit. Finished 2 minutes behind 4th. 2 miles longer than Silver Rush and 1k more vert but still much more runnable overall and more shaded single track. Lots overlap with the 100 so got to see tons of them including the fastest ones on the first climb. Very glad I brought poles for the punchy parts and I discovered I just kind of like holding extended poles in one hand when I’m not using them. Only about 9 cumulative minutes at aid stations (moving time 8:55) which is about what I was targeting.