They call it the Rocky Mountain Thunder. The stadium-shuddering racket reverberated by Denver Broncos fans stomping their feet on the metal decks of their old Mile High Stadium. It would become a storied intimidation tactic that has since translated across to their current home Empower Field, but perhaps too an unwritten cheat code to thousands 'getting their steps in', given all I would come to learn of this fitness-enthused Mountain West metropolis.
Here was your proverbial protein shake of Colorado goodness, unbridled escapism and blood-pumping self-care flexing in the clouds some 5,280ft above sea level, as if detached from the rest of the nation. They breathe a little differently here, operate a little differently, attack sport a little differently. The city is serene and soothing in accordance with its neighbouring nature, and yet its sporting disciples deafening.
From its mountainous backdrop to its rich variety of wildlife, Denver is a laptop screensaver picture of tranquillity. From its sunrise joggers to its rock-scaling climbers, it is a breeding ground for adrenaline and activity. And between its seven major league sports teams, it is a cauldron of intense, ever-expanding fandom.
Welcome to Mile High, where an early awakening at the Limelight hotel (fuelled by some jet-lag) would kickstart my stay with a stunning sunrise view over Union Station, around which bustled coffee-grabbers, job-goers and worm-catching early birds. I had flown in directly from London Heathrow for a dose of Denver life, another West Brom-come-Broncos fan I met that weekend had made the trip from Birmingham, and each week Sean Payton's side receive support from neighbouring states in New Mexico, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. Such is their isolated geographical position in the metaphorical 'Gods' of America, the Broncos reign supreme as a prized NFL attraction.
Saturday. My choice of cargo trousers in bronzeable heat had already come back to haunt me in a land where shorts and t-shirt tend to top the attire. Denver's 300-days of sunshine each year lend themselves to a city driven by life outside and an accompanying will to explore.
This Brit stuck out, a reality only amplified by the perplexed look upon learning bars and clubs close earlier here in order to avoid squandering mornings better dedicated to fitness and training; party early, workout early. And for what it is worth, the motivation and zest to stay on the move becomes infectious. By night, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is known as Denver's unique home of world-class music acts, where Lily Allen had been headlining on her album tour at the time of my visit.
By morning, it appears to adopt the appearance of an outdoor gym, with its multiple tiers of theatre steps occupying yoga classes and workouts for families and friends of all ages. One man is shadow boxing back-and-forth in a mask reminiscent of Batman villain Bane, a father and his four children are tackling the steep incline in unison from bottom to top and one elderly gentleman is performing kettle bell swings at the awe of younger workout partners. It is enough to guilt-trip this sluggish journalist after an evening of down-time watching the...
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing