“Acting funny, and I don’t know why Excuse me while I kiss the sky” – Jimi Hendrix, Purple Haze Last Saturday, I had the great privilege of checking a race off my bucket list by running the 58th annual Pikes Peak Marathon in Manitou Springs, CO. Considered “America’s Ultimate Challenge”, this marathon has drawn runners from all over the world to climb the Ascent (13.2 miles to the top at 14,117’, with 7,750’ of relentless climbing), or take on the Marathon (complete the Ascent, then as they say on the Price Is Right , “come on down!”), or even do the two races back-to-back if you’ve got the stones.