Sleepy highway 71 has been clobbered with northbound traffic today as folks flock to tomorrow's darklands.
I hiked 8.76 miles this morning (just about zackly a third of a marathon) and about 2.5 miles of that was along 71 facing the northbound traffic.
I'd have taken a different route if I'd known about or anticipated the mass of speeding vehicles. But I didn't, so I didn't. I was reasonably careful and there were no close calls, but today the route was statistically quite a bit more risky than it normally is.
The hike was an excellent workout but I did suffer another bout of dizziness/lightheadedness/hypotension. Today it actually set in with about 1.5 miles to go and I'm afraid it was nip and tuck there for the last bit. I really wanted to quit, and I could have called someone for a ride I suppose, but there was no way I was gonna give in. Death before dishonor and all that. Kipling kept me going as I filled the unforgiving distance with 25 minutes worth of distance staggered. I made it, I survived.
I looked up post-exercise hypotension (PEH) and read some very interesting (and challenging) papers. I'm starting to think that I've got more of a physiological challenge going on than a cardiac problem, but I'll reserve final judgement until the data come in. I've lost 80 pounds of flab since February and I'm rebuilding a lot of muscle, I suspect things will even out when the process brings me a bit closer to actual fitness.
The increased exercise is only part of the fitness equation. I've significantly reduced caloric intake and I think I've largely cleared the dopaminergic hurdle of overeating. The larger question is whether I'll keep it up (especially when the weather gets nasty) or return to my slovenly, gluttonous ways. Only time will tell.
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| This read north of 330 back in February. |
Part of my route is from Wheatland to Scottsbluff via Torrington on US 26. I usually arrive in Wheatland at 6 am and depart Scottsbluff around 9am then South on Hwy 71 and on to DIA. I'm considering County Roads from Wheatland to Lingle bypassing Guernsey. From the Torrington Hospital will probably take the back road to the prison then drop down to US 26. This keeps me out of most of Torrington. Should be interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting indeed.
DeleteI hate repeating myself, so I'll just write thanks for the post.
ReplyDeletePaul L. Quandt
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Paul.
DeleteWow, you have gotten on it to be fit again. I doubt you will return to your "slovenly" ways, you've worked too hard to get to this point.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're correct! I've got a lot of laziness in me though. And a tendency to "eat today, exercise tomorrow." Especially in the winter.
DeleteIf you are going to walk the highways, you might want to consider buying an ANSI vest. Lime Green, or International Orange vests with Scotchlite stripes may not be the height of fashion, but can keep you from getting smucked.
ReplyDeleteIt's a concern. Six weeks or so ago a lady ran over a jogger here. In that instance it wouldn't have mattered how reflective the jogger was, the somewhat simpleminded driver found herself unable to solve the "don't run over pedestrians" spatial geometry problem. It's generally not much of a concern though with our very low traffic density. I'd also hate to be mistaken for a road construction worker. Someone might put me to work filling potholes!
DeleteAh yes, weight. I need to lose some, I am getting rotund.
ReplyDeleteIt's a slog, but an interesting slog.
DeleteThat's positively a traffic jam you had right there, Son! (Comparatively speaking, of course)
ReplyDeleteFor that stretch of HWY 71 the traffic was pretty much unprecedented.
DeleteWere you counting cadence silently? Your stepping sure has a familiar rhythm. Brings back memories from the grinder.
ReplyDeleteI think that's where I learned to walk!
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