ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Last week me and two of my three kids flew to Denver.
We were on our way to Manitou Springs, Co to offer moral support to my twin sister and brother.
They were both running the Pikes Peak Marathon. NUT JOBS!

This trip almost did not happen. We missed our connecting flight out of Atlanta. So frustrating!!!
After hanging around for 2 hours, fingers crossed, we made it on standby for the next flight out..

Once we arrived in Denver, we loaded up in our rental car, the Prius...
It was hate at first site for me.
I will quickly add though that by the end of the 5 day trip, I was in love with this car. So quiet, so efficient, so ugly..

Driving south to Manitou Springs, I was slowly becoming aware of a Rocky Mountain High.
It was great! Beautiful weather, beautiful state.

The destination was the El Colorado Lodge. My sister and her family and my brother and his family had been there for 3 days hanging out. Or I should say "acclimating" as it sounds so much more professional.

The Pikes Peak Marathon is an ass kicker. You start at 7,000 feet and climb for 13 miles to over 14,000 feet.
The average grade is 11%. Then when you get to the top, you get to run the 13 miles down.

People break things doing this marathon, like ankles.
People cut things doing this marathon, like knees.
People get crazy doing this marathon as there is 50% less oxygen at the top of the mountain.

I had no desire to run this.

I live at ZERO elevation. In fact, my backyard is likely at a negative elevation. Gotta love Florida :)

I will say that watching Matt and Wid finish this run and claim "never again" just made me want to come back next year and give it a whirl, so to speak.
I gave my siblings a day or two to get over it and now they have both said they will come back next year to run..

I took over 400 pictures. Don't worry!! I will not post them all.
Here are a few of the highlights: