Landed in Denver with less than ideal weather... low 30s, gusts around 40mph, and some strange white substance coating the ground...
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FlightIntoDenver.jpg)
Thankfully, weather quickly brightened. Race started at 6AM Sunday, and though cold at the start we didn't have to contend with any precipitation and temps warmed up quickly with temps at 60 by 10am.
Course was beautiful and should have been relatively easy (mostly downhill), but Pam and I both were a little over 10 minutes off our personal best times -- almost certain the altitude played a factor. Never seemed to be able to get FULL satisfying breaths, and felt tired earlier in race than in other races (the 20 mile wall seemed to hit about 4 miles too soon
![:wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Few pics of the Colorado Marathon course...
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/RaceStart-1.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/RockTunnel.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/Downhill1.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/Downhill2.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/Downhill3.jpg)
Finished race, quickly showered, and enjoyed a few minutes strolling in Fort Collins. The stroll served to remind me of one thing I love about the towns we've visited in the West -- many of them have had a great deal of sculpture/art (much of it nature themed) featured in their downtown areas.
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FortCollins1.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FortCollins2.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FortCollins3.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FortCollins4.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FortCollins5.jpg)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FortCollins6.jpg)
After walking through Fort Collins, we hopped in our rental and made our way to Estes Park in order to get a bit closer to snow covered peaks we could see from a distance in Fort Collins. Seemed at each bend of the road, we saw stunning scene after scene of natural beauty...
Ton of McDonald's in the world, but wonder what percentage have views like this one?
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/EstesPark1.jpg)
Really gorgeous river runs through Estes Park...
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FlyFishing2.jpg)
Didn't have time to be one of them, but saw hundreds of these folks... bet the snow fed waters were cold!
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/FlyFishing1.jpg)
Saw a sign in Estes Park warning that wildlife might be present in middle of town. Was definitely true... saw few of these...
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/Deer.jpg)
... these...
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/Elk1.jpg)
... and these!!!
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/Sheep.jpg)
Decided to stop our ride once we reached snow...
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/Snow.jpg)
Seemed fitting that on such a wonderful Sunday, we found this beautiful church near our turn around point..
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/SaintMaloChurch.jpg)
Quick picture together and ended a LONG day, with hearts full of thanks to God for such another wonderful adventure
![:thumbup:](./images/smilies/emthup.gif)
![:thumbup:](./images/smilies/emthup.gif)
![:thumbup:](./images/smilies/emthup.gif)
![Image](http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z83/bigbendgyrene/EstesPark3.jpg)