I completed the Rock n Roll Denver Half Marathon on Sunday and checked off state No. 25. I'm half way done.
I had a great time in Denver. It's funny, I've been to Denver so many times, but never stayed in the city. When I was a little girl, I'd fly into Denver over summer break and my grandparents, who lived in western Nebraska, would pick me up at the airport -- the old Stapleton airport -- but then we'd either head back to their home, or maybe we'd take a short vacation break to Estes Park or Grand Lake.
As an adult, I vacationed with my family for a week in Winter Park, but again, we just landed in Denver and then passed along.
A few years ago, I flew to Denver only to drive to Nebraska to see my grandparents in their twilight years. In 2009 they both died, and that was the very last time I was in Colorado. Again, just to pass through on my way to another place.
So it was really nice to stay in Denver and enjoy that city.
It gave me chills to fly in and see the Rocky Mountains after all these years. They are so beautiful.
I got in on a Thursday afternoon. I flew in a little earlier than I normally do for a race because I was worried about the altitude. I wanted to give myself an extra day to adjust. I felt a little light headed Thursday, but nothing too bad.
Denver now has a train from the airport to Union Station, and I then walked about a mile to the hotel. I could have taken a bus, but I wasn't familiar yet with how that bus ran, so I just walked.
Now, you know you are in Colorado, which has legalized medical and recreational marijuana, when you are walking to your hotel and you suddenly smell weed that people are smoking on the sidewalk. I smelled a lot of that smell all weekend long!
I had lunch Friday with my aunt and uncle, who live in a suburb of Denver. It was great to see them. Later that afternoon my friend Dan arrived from Atlanta to run the race with me.
Me and Dan at the expo
Ready to rock Denver
Dan & me at expo
Saturday we played tourists in the city, visiting the Molly Brown Home and Museum. We were both a little underwelmed.The weather all weekend was pretty warm and race day dawned and I wished I had brought a tank top. I mean, I was worried I was going to need winter running gear in mid October in Denver, not all my summer gear! It was 85 degrees nearly every day I was there.
Civic Center Park all lit up
Pre-race selfie with Dan
Getting ready to rock the start line
Pre-race selfie with Amanda
It's go time
The blue bear along the route
Denver has a lot of fun public art, including this giant blue bear outside the Denver Convention Center.
Larimer Square along the route
Larimer Square has lots of fun restaurants and the Colorado state flag and lights strung across the road.
The Rockies are straight ahead
Enjoying the sights at City Park and City Park Lake
City Park Lake
Race Street (!)
High Street comes right after Race Street, giving new meaning to runner's high?
I thought it was kind of funny to see a Race Street, and then High Street right after it along the route. Appropriate, no?
Finished!
Finished, with state capitol in the background
How every half marathon should end
Finisher's medal
One of the best things about this race was meeting up with runners Amanda and Angela, whom I met at the Rock n Roll New Orleans half marathon. We met up post-race at Yardhouse.
Angela, Amanda and me
Runners making sure the medals are real
I met another new running buddy, Lee, at Yardhouse. And, no surprise, we all started talking about where are next race would be.This is the part I love best about this bucket list. I'm meeting great folks and reconnecting with friends who are willing to meet me around the country and run a race.
I may be half way on this journey, but it is the people and places that are making it all worthwhile.
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