Run Rabbit Run training week one

Sean Gillies — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:23:38 GMT

Welcome to week one of my year's second eighteen week training program. I'm gearing up for a race that I've never run before, a long-standing one that is close to home: Steamboat Springs' Run Rabbit Run. The 50 mile course goes from the base of Steamboat Mountain, up Right-o-way, then up next to the Thunderhead Express lift, and then (as far as I can tell) up around Tornado and Buddy's Run to one of the chutes and onto the ridge just below Mt. Werner. 3,500 feet D+ (dénivelé, in French, or cumulative elevation gain) in the first 6.5 miles. From there it rolls through the high country to Rabbit Ears Peak and then returns along the same route. The total elevation gain is almost 9,000 feet. It doesn't climb quite as much as the 50 mile Quad Rock course, which I've finished three times, but is at higher altitude. I'm looking forward to it!

In week two, on May 30, I've got another chance to work on my race day cramps puzzle. I'm going to run Laramie, Wyoming's, Pilot Hill 25 kilometer classic for the first time. My friend Stefan, who has family in Laramie, has been recommending it to me for several years. Ruthie and Bea will be at an equestrian event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, that same day. After I finish, I'll drive east on I-80 to meet them and watch them ride.

Finally, here are the numbers.

10 hours, 2 minutes all training
15 miles running
3,090 feet D+ running (and treadmill)

I was diligent about doing my mobility and core routine, and running or biking each day, including an uphill climb and downhill ripper on Friday.

Sean Gillies (Posts about pilot hill)

Run Rabbit Run training week one