I took an early morning flight out of John Wayne Airport. I knew that the flights for this trip would be much more enjoyable since I would be flying with Southwest and they had just sent me some free booze tickets! I don't normally drink coffee, but I do love me some coffee with Baileys! Plus the flight had complimentary live TV via DISH for your mobile device.
Coffee and Baileys
To save some money, I took the RTD bus into downtown instead of renting a car. I went to the RTD counter in the airport and bought a round trip ticket for $20. After taking the bus into downtown, I walked over to the Colorado Convention Center to pick up my race packet at the expo.
Colorado Convention Center
Expo
After the expo, I walked over to eat lunch at Sakura House. I came here wanting to try their tonkotsu ramen, but they were already out. So I went with the umani ramen and also ordered their karaage. The bowl of ramen overall was ok. The broth and noodles were both decent. Nothing to write home about. The karaage was a bit overcooked and dry. But seriously I didn't come to Denver expecting to eat an excellent bowl of ramen. I would still want to come back to try their tonkotsu broth. Service was friendly and appeared to be a family operation. The restaurant was sort of tuck away in a corner. Not very noticeable from the street. It was located north of the downtown cluster of restaurants. A great place if you want a quiet place away from all of the action and there was quite a bit of it that weekend with some event for the upcoming Halloween day. Practically everyone was dressed up (horribly) as zombies.
Kaarage
Umani Ramen
After lunch, I made the long hike to my hotel, the Ramada on Colfax. I kind of booked last minute and this was the best that I could find. I even used one of my free nights so I only had to pay for one night. Every little bit helps to make the trip a bit more affordable. During my hike, I saw lots of unsavory folks lined all up and down the street. It was in the middle of the day and it felt rather unsafe.
Ramada
For dinner, I walked down the street to eat at CityGrille. I ate there only because earlier in the day as I was walking to my hotel I saw their sign that said that they had the city's best burgers. I had to check it out to see if they were right in making such a bold claim. I sat at the end of the bar and started with an Avery IPA. I had their CityGrille burger. It was a pretty darn good burger! So I would say that they can stand by their claim. They have my vote for the best if not one of the best. It also helped that the service was excellent. I had a Ranger IPA to finish off the meal.
Avery IPA
CityGrille burger
Ranger IPA
After dinner, I went through the stuff that I picked up at the expo. Then I got my race gear ready for the race. They don't give out too much samples these days at expos or even fill up your goodie bag. I've noticed that exhibitors tend not give out whole samples anymore. Instead they'll open them up and cut them into smaller pieces for people to sample. Goodie bags are now filled with flyers for other races and info on race related products. Oh, the good 'ol days when they actually had goodies in your goodie bag.
Expo haul
Race gear
Sunday
After getting ready, I made the long trek down to the starting area. Luckily there was another runner making the same walk. Colfax Ave was not a very nice street especially when it's still dark outside! As I approached the starting area, you could see all of the other runners converging in on the same spot. I sat down on the curb across from the gear check area. As the starting time slower grew closer, I checked my bag, used the portapotties for one last time, and headed for the starting corrals.
I talked to a couple of Marathon Maniacs while waiting inside the starting corral. The weather was pretty cold, but not too bad. I loved this course, it did not change much since the last time that I ran it. They definitely made some improvements. But between the altitude and the rolling hills, it was a pretty challenging course. There were also a few out and back portions which allowed me to see a bunch of my friends.
Starting line
In one of the parks, I was already moving a bit slow so I stopped to take a picture of some geese. They were everywhere and they were definitely not afraid of humans. There were some late hills in this race. I had to walk a good majority of them since my right foot was just feeling weak.
Wow, another race with mile markers all over the place! After realizing that the markers were more than a little bit off, I just used them to estimate where I was along the course.
Finish: 4:41:57
Finish line
Bringing in every last runner
I waited around for my friend to finish as she was pacing her friend who was running her first marathon. I went with them to eat a post race meal at Smashburger. It was my first time at a Smashburger. I liked that they served beer for a fast food type restaurant. The burger itself didn't look very spectacular but it was decent tasting. Afterwards, the people that I ate with were kind enough to give me a ride back to my hotel so I didn't have to make that long ass walk back down dirty Colfax.
Spandex
Ranger IPA
Bacon cheeseburger
Monday
After checking out of my room, I walked across the street to eat an early lunch at Irish Snug. The girl taking my order actually carded me for ordering a Guinness. I think I can still count on one hand how many times that I've been carded in my whole life! Besides the Guinness, I ordered their corned beef and cabbage. It was good... I love me some good corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. I wouldn't mind coming here again to try their other menu items and drinks at night. I loved that they had a sign at the bar that says, "The liver is evil and must be punished!" :)
Breakfast Guinness
Halloween decoration
Corned beef and cabbage
I then walked all the way to the Bus Center at Curtis and 19th St to catch the bus to the airport. At the airport I had enough time for a beer at Rock Bottom before catching my flight home. Then another coffee with Baileys for a nice flight home with DISH TV. I would love flying with Southwest if it was always like this trip.
Red ale
Southwest flying home
Coffee and Baileys going home
Free live TV via DISH
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