The expression ‘like a kid in a candy store’ came to mind today, when I visited the REI flagship store in Denver. This expression basically describes situations, where you are enjoying yourself far too much and are not controlling your behavior.  It would have been very easy for me to have gone on a spending spree today.

I went the REI store, looking to buy a new pair of trail running shoes.  The selection of different brands and models that they had, was so much larger than at the running stores and the REI store in Pittsburgh. They had the three shoes that I wanted to try out.  I tried on several pairs, and this helped me determine, that my best option was to stick with the current brand and model that I already run in.

After looking at the trail running shoes, I went exploring.  I looked at the cycling gear; the various electronics, like bike computers and sports watches; hiking poles designed for trail runners and so much more.  I even looked at the clothing, which was where I caved in and actually bought something. Quite honestly, I really was like a kid in a candy store and it took a lot of restraint not to spend an absolute fortune.

I finished the day with my first run here at altitude.  Denver is not super high elevation, but high enough for me to notice the difference when I ran this evening.  I did an eighty minute run around a lake, at a park near the AirBnB where I am staying at.  It was a solid run, but there were so many fast runners, I felt really slow.

Hopefully, the running at higher altitude will get a little easier over the coming days. I certainly hope so, because I plan to run a lot.