Pikes Peak Im going home to Colorado

Focusing in on Pikes Peak marathon & the Barr mountain Trail
I'll be there in a few days... 12,000-14,000 feet above sea level and asking myself...
'Gasping' for Breath (O2 Starved brain) half a brain to you buddy!
a) What the hell was I thinking?!!
b) how did I get here?
c) Great View! Where the hell am I?
d) Have I died & gone to heaven?
e) Why is this so hard? I thought the golden stair (Jacobs Ladder) would be more like an escalator?