Partner Perspective: Rock n' Roll Denver

Exploring Denver


We spent the Autumn Equinox with a fun-filled excursion in Denver to send off summer and usher in the fall.  Our day went something like this:  Run 13.1 miles, Post-race beer & snacks, Oktoberfest for more beer, Brunch, Shopping, Brewery for still more beer...gotta rehydrate and replenish those electrolytes ;o)

Denver Rock n' Roll Half Marathon
As a member of Team Marathon Bar, we are strongly encouraged (formerly required) to participate in a Rock n' Roll series race.  I've previously done the Virgina Beach Rock n' Roll Half Marathon a few times and last year I participated in the Miami Rock n' Roll Half Marathon.  This year I chose the Sports Authority Rock n' Roll Denver Half Marathon benefiting the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  I have to say that this has been my favorite Rock n' Roll series race.  The race was well organized, there were plenty of port-a-potties, a scenic course that did not include running on highways (versus the previous Rock n' Roll courses I've run), and good post-race refreshments.

We awoke at the crack of dawn to prep for our 7:15am race start.  As usual, coffee, an energy bar, water, and ample bathroom time were on the pre-race agenda. Our hotel was about a half mile walk to the race start at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. 

The course lead in an out and back loop through the mild high city's most spacious parks and famous landmarks.  We began heading northwest toward the Pepsi Center, home to the NBA Denver Nuggets and NHL Denver Avalanche, then past Coors Field where the MLB Colorado Rockies Play.  From there we wound our way through downtown to Denver City Park which is Denver's version of NYC's Central Park.  We passed by the Denver Zoo and Museum of Science and Nature as well as Duck Lake, City Park Lake and a number of open grassy fields on the way to the finish line back in Civic Center Park.  Enjoyable on course entertainment and ample cheering sections motivated us on our 13.1 mile trek.  I felt pretty good throughout the race and was also happy to meet up with 4 of my Marathon Bar team mates along the course.  After crossing the finish line I met up with some of the Marathon Bar reps at their refreshment tent, reunited with a couple team mates, and headed to the meeting area to find Nick. 

The Denver Rock n' Roll was actually a drop in altitude for us from 6,200 to 5,200 feet so we had a little bit of O2 on our side.  In the past, the Miami Rock n' Roll was the only race I've ever run with Jess, but for this race I was still in training mood for Chicago so it was off on my own.  I found the course beautiful with a lot of time spent in the parks as well as through nice Denver neighborhoods.  We have experienced some Rock n' Rolls that spent a lot of mileage on highways and running in less than entertaining areas.  Luckily, for our continued participation in another race we found a well designed course that wasn't in a barren uninteresting part of the city.  
I took the race out easy running the first 5K at 7 minute mile pace.  The slow start allowed me to accelerate throughout the race and run 5:45's coming home and the extra boost of passing those fading.  I came home in 1:23 and started to enjoy multiple free samples of Jimmy John's and Jamba Juice smoothies.  In my moments of gluttony I ended up missing Jess after cheering for her before the finish line.  She ran off with her teammates and I was stuck eyeing up the Michelob Ultra.


Jess's Results:

Overall:  1087
Age Group:  97
Participants: 8138
Time:  1:50:46

Oktoberfest Denver
After showering back at the hotel, we took a stroll down to Oktoberfest Denver.  After running 13.1 miles who wouldn't want to join in this time-honored tradition of German heritage?  Authentic German food, Bier, German music and activities such as Stein hoisting competitions and Bratwurst eating contests are a great way to relax and replenish post-race.  We each enjoyed an Oktoberfest brew and spent some time watching the Polka bands.  Those who have spent time with us over the years know that we enjoy a party and that is exactly what you will find at an Oktoberfest.  If you like to have beers, a huge turkey leg, and sing out loud while holding a stein then you will be happy.  I would highly recommend being at such an event with a group of friends with who you know you can make your own fun.

Panzano
As our stomachs began to rumble we left Oktoberfest in search of some brunch.  I couldn't resist the idea of an Italian restaurant that specializes in Northern Italian food (my mother's side of the family is from Northern Italy...the Tyrol to be exact).  Named Top 5 Denver Restaurant, the restaurant lived up to it's reputation.

Jess's brunch:
I ordered the restaurant's signature brunch dish, Panzano Eggs Benedict.  It consisted of 2 poached eggs served over a sun-dried tomato polenta cake and topped with prosciutto, fontina cheese and hollandaise sauce, all overtop basil pesto...YUM!

Nick's brunch:
Chicken Hash.  Sauteed chicken confit with red onions and peppers over rosemary potatoes and topped with two fried eggs and prosecco hollandais sauce, served with toast.

16th Street Mall 
With our bellies satisfied we strolled down to the 16th street mall, a mile-long tree-lined pedestrian promenade that runs through the center of Downtown Denver.  It's lined with outdoor cafes, renovated historic buildings, sparking skyscrapers, shops, restaurants, and retail stores.  We had fun people watching, window browsing, and doing a little real shopping too.  Follow whatever Jess says.  We spent like 12 hours in Forever 21... I was looking for a nap.



Denver Beer Company
Our final stop was the Denver Beer Company.  It was highly recommended by one of our Philadelphia friends, whose cousin happens to be the co-owner. They believe that "Good beer is best enjoyed with friends, fresh air, and a bit of adventurous spirit to sharpen the palate"...right up our alley!  Because our friend Aiden raved about it, we both ordered the Graham Cracker Porter and were quite pleased.  The brewery has a laid back, open-air, garage style atmosphere and we snagged a seat under an umbrella on the patio.  Exactly what you want from a brew pub.  Food, games, outdoor and indoor seating, as well as a nice selection of brews.  Unfortunately for me I was the DD so one was the limit.  Would love to get back soon!

Partner Perspective: Pueblo, Colorado

 Exploring Pueblo, Colorado

When we’re not racing, we’re exploring.  

A couple weeks ago we checked out the southern Colorado town of Pueblo, located about an hour south of Colorado Springs.  Native Americans originally settled in this area due to its strategic location as a portal to the plains and meeting point for the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek.  Today, Pueblo contains a rich mixture of Native American, Hispanic, Italian, and Slovenian culture and is the host city for the Colorado State Fair. 

We planned our visit in conjunction with the Colorado State Fair and made this our first stop in Pueblo.  What a great way to experience authentic Colorado culture:  livestock and horse shows, rodeos, parades, country concerts, arts exhibitions, monster truck and tractor competitions, carnival rides, local foods and brews.  For me the highlights were the livestock and horses.  I enjoyed strolling through the stables and getting up close to some long horned cattle, cute bunnies, and friendly horses.

Nick getting serious

After the fair we headed downtown to the famous Springfield Cheese shop to pick up some goodies to add to the picnic lunch we’d packed.  This shop is cheese lovers’ dream!  Plus, all of their cheeses are natural, preservative and rBGH free.  After sampling a variety of unique specialty cheeses, we chose a few types of cheese to take with us as we continued our trek on to Pueblo State Park.  Our cheese selections included Chipotle Cheddar, Jalapeno string cheese, and Bacon Colby.

 

Pueblo State Park is situated surrounding Lake Pueblo which was formed by construction of the Pueblo Dam following severe flooding on the Arkansas River in the 1960s.  The lake boasts 60 miles of shoreline and a mild year-round climate making it one of the top spots for water sports in landlocked Colorado.  On this particular day it was 90 degrees so the lake was popular spot.  In addition to water recreation like sailing, motor boating, water skiing, and river tubing visitors can also hike, bike, and picnic on the surrounding 10,000 acres. 

We strolled along the trails by the lake until we found an unoccupied pavilion to set up our picnic.  Located on the north end of the lake, we enjoyed gorgeous views of the lake with the Greenhorn and Wet mountain ranges to the southwest and Pikes Peak to the north.  After gorging ourselves on fresh fruit, bread, and cheese we continued to explore the park. Our excursion took us past 200 year-old Juniper trees and up close and personal with local wildlife.  I saw my first prairie dogs, who I quickly learned do not like visitors to near their homes…if you get too close, they poke their heads up from their mounds and yelp their warning at you.   We ended the day relaxing by the water, skipping rocks, and just enjoying the scenery and each others' company :o)

Jess said it all from our trip to Pueblo.  While I prefer the close proximity to the mountains of Colorado Springs, Pueblo offers easy access to the lake and hot springs.  The area reminds me more of a desert city which is a 180 degree difference from our Northeastern residence of the past.  The state fair was crowded and provided a lot of the fattening options such as corn-dogs and fried Oreos.  The jewels of the fair were the animal displays.  The access to horses, steer, rabbits, and birds was fun.  I had to drag Jess away from the rabbits since they were for sale and giving her the buy-me stare.  Rodeo like events were accessible as well as a pole-vault competition at the fair.  I was happy to see a little track love!  
In the town, the cheese shop offered a variety of different options that were irresistible such as the cheese-surrounded bacon.  The shop is small but offers a nice area for a quick stop and snack.  We took that snack to the lake where Jess finally got her first experience with prairie dogs.  If you can't tell from above, she was looking forward to seeing the little rascals ever since we moved west.  The area offered great scenery, boating, swimming, and picnicking.  As a man, I always pride myself in out-skipping Jess' rocks and scaring her with claims of rattlesnakes.  Both of which I had plenty of chances to do in Pueblo.  Additionally, the lake offers a long trail system allowing visitors to accomplish a long run prior to a dip in the water.  

Enjoy your Adventures!