Adventures continue in active state of Colorado

Last week I wrote to you from Pikes Peak as we journeyed through the state of Colorado, the state that leads the nation with the lowest obesity percentage. Why? You guessed it - activity and plenty to do everywhere you look. We drove midweek from The Springs to Denver, and there was action everywhere we looked. A 12,000-square-foot skate park is where we spent most of the day, but people are out walking, jogging, biking, blading and enjoying the fresh air while the sun is up.

Within a one-mile radius of downtown Denver are three major arenas hosting the Broncos, Rockies and Nuggets. An amusement park featuring land rides and one featuring water rides are only miles apart; while a river flows rapidly through the city, attracting hundreds to gathering spots for cooling off in the rapids. Downtown features the 16th Street Mall, a very interesting two-lane road with an island in the center. No motorized vehicles are allowed except for shuttle buses that run back and forth, carrying visitors from one end to the other. In the center is a bit of everything, from chess games to beggars, magic shows and musical entertainers. Pianos line every block, while many costumed individuals looking for a photo and some green appear at each intersection. Around one corner was a demonstration on gay rights, while a block up a petition was being passed around to legalize marijuana. An interesting city and quite different from the little Lewes beach town we call home.

Next it was north to Windsor at 80-plus mph; if you do the 70 mph speed limit, you practically get pushed off the shoulderless road. Friday we enjoyed the beach wedding, complete with golf course setting, of my nephew, Scott Bamforth of Albuquerque, N.M. Scott was the starting point guard on the Weber State basketball team; his bride, Kendra Schauermann of Windsor, Colo., is a meteorologist.

Saturday started with a 7 a.m. 5K run, the Loveland Classic, which began close to our hotel. My wife and I both agreed that it was very enjoyable being on the other side of the street for a change, not having to direct the event as we do normally every weekend at home. Three hundred runners competing in the 5K or 10K and another 300 kids taking part in a youth series through the local schools surrounded us at 7,500 feet altitude. Monique, Jake, and I selected the 5K event, while young Ben chose the 10K. As we raced off the starting line, I found myself in the middle of the pack and bringing up the rear in my own family. Within a half mile into the race, I remembered training with my brother in the summer of 1985 and that I had the same feeling then - I could not breathe! By the mile mark, I had little 9-year-old girls going by me, clearing their throats, which meant, "Slide over, slowpoke," and I thought to myself, "I still have two miles to go!" At the turnaround, I captured a bit of energy as I saw 14-year-old Jake racing well in the top 10, and Monique prancing along being competitive in her 40-44 age group while I hoped to see the finish line without walking first. Coming down the final stretch with cheerleaders on each side, I searched for air and wondered why I didn’t just go for a 30-minute treadmill walk instead. Jake hit the finish in 20:40 to win the 14 and under, and Monique raced to a 26:27 finish to grab second place, while I dipped under 27 with a 26:59 for fifth in my age group. Twelve-year-old Ben ran 49:21 to win his age group in the 10K. All three in the family took home hardware; I took sore quads back to the hotel hot tub.

That Saturday afternoon we drove west to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, where we drove to 12,150 feet and looked out into the fog and snow at the top of the mountain. At the top, between the hailstorms, I misread the gas gauge, so I needed to drive 22 miles down the mountain on a gas gauge reading 17 miles left in the tank. I used the low gears and coasted as much as I could on the descent. I hit the gas station at the bottom with seven miles left in the tank. I had used 10 miles without stepping on the gas--exciting drama on the way down and a few more gray hairs for both of us, as my wife explained it.

Sunday brought us back to Denver and five hours at the popular Denver Skate Park with skaters, rollers and riders of all ages, sizes, and races enjoying the creativity of practicing their tricks and landing one on film. The amazing thing about all the different people at the park was that it seemed they all got along and supported each other and were all there for a common purpose. That night we rose at 3 a.m. to catch our 6 a.m. flight, and in a little more than three hours we were landing in Baltimore and dropped back into the high-humidity oven, something nonexistent in Colorado.

Upcoming races
• Saturday, July 23 - 1st Lewes 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk, 7:30 a.m., Cape High, Lewes, seashorestriders.com.

• Sunday, July 24 - 29th YMCA 5-Mile Run, 7:30 a.m., Deauville Beach, Rehoboth, seashorestriders.com.