Denver Spartan Beast Race

Denver, Colorado

June 13, 2015

After staying in Jeff’s cozy basement, Denver started out on a rainy and chilly June morning with the comfort of free coffee in a packed breakfast house. After a full belly from a breakfast burrito, we drove the car past parks and fancy shopping centers to a highway with mountains on the horizon. 

Hike in White River Nat'l Forest

By noon, we reached Silverthorne, Colorado—a town of outlet stores designed in an earthy way that makes you feel good about consumerism and shopping :-p. Here, we purchased last minute items in preparation for Saturday’s race AND we browsed the Perl Izumi store (a big treat for two lovers of cycling & sports)!

After shopping, we checked into the hotel and brought a small pack for a little outdoor adventure in order to prepare our bodies for the high altitude. I’m not sure how long it takes to adjust the body to running in 10,000 feet altitude, but I assume that it requires more than 24 hours!

Breckenridge, CO

Post-hike, Pedro made sure to find the “Spartan Race” sign in Breckenridge. During the downtown exploration, we found the highest running store in the USA, windows full of real-estate opportunities, and a neat downtown next to a flowing river. Back in Frisco, we went to Whole Foods for a late-night snack of fresh juice. Even the Whole Foods was super cool with tulip decorations outside, a cooler full of local kombucha, and a ski lift car available to dine in.

Up until the morning of the race, we drank water beyond our personal abilities to drink water (advice from a local wooden statue salesman). The race started at 60 degrees at the bottom of a ski lodge, with a wicked one mile up-hill climb followed by crossing waist-deep through two heavy-flow almost-freezing creeks. (Thank goodness for my well-draining shoes and dry fit, thermal pants!) About 5 miles into the race, we crawled up a snow-covered mountain. The next 5 miles was a series of inclines and declines (more up-hills than down-hills) with a nice pause at the summit of 11,000 feet. Needless to say, we were pretty pooped by the end of the 12.5 mile race!

Post-race resulted in a rewarding hot tub soak followed by awesome burritos. Sadly, my body had no energy or desire to continue to explore the amazing nature outside for the remainder of the day.

Sunday, we visited downtown Vail and then drove back to Denver. At City Park, energy was in the air—a live jazz show was about to start for everybody on the lawn, food trucks lined the nearby street, and about 10 soccer/volleyball/Frisbee/other random sports were playing around on the other lawn. Everybody walked by with either a bicycle, a dog, and/or a picnic basket…. Talk about my dream park!!

Sunday night was one of the most memorable food experiences I’ve had. We visited one of the best vegan restaurants in downtown Denver—City o City. I had the special of the day—a burrito turned into a fluffy waffle with black beans, vegan meat, some creamy stuff…!! Without a doubt, I was one happy camper on the flight home. :)

We ran into snow!