I did kick into gear Sunday for a good workout. Ran down the valley (wind at my back) to the steepest part of Shoe Hill. Since I was on the north side, I had some shelter from the worst of the wind. Climbed straight up - heart rate was really steady at 158 for the whole climb. Went over the top of the hill and down on the east side, so still kind of protected. I usually don't wear my IPod outside, especially by myself, but needed the distraction from the wind. Going down the hill was really steep and loose (volcanic cinders) but I had a really catchy salsa tune, so just swung my hips and danced down the hill!
Headed out cross country - no dirt road, no game trail, just grass, hummucks, cactus, downed trees and shrubs to dodge and jump over. Was having such a great time until I got out of the wind shadow and then got blasted sideways. Ugh! Quick turn to the north so that at least the wind was at my back, and did a fast section of our normal run around SH.
Turned up the valley and decided I needed to do another big climb, so headed up the shoulder. Not quite as steep, not quite as protected, but another long steady climb - HR right back at 158. Guess that is my climbing HR... did peak out at 163. Crossed over the top of the hill to the west and headed down over a rough rolling rock section. Got to work on agility!!! When I cleared the rocks, did a last cross country run down and across the valley to home (practising up for chasing cows come summertime!).
Total time 51:16, HRV 130, Avg HR 145, max HR 172. Was well worth going.
So last night T get's home and we're talking while the wind howls outside. I'm thinking of taking a benedryl for the coma (sleep) and so that I might still be breathing come morning (allergies). T says, "Shoe Hill in the morning?". My first thought is "are you nuts!!!!", but I haven't actually done anything with Tom for a week between my travels and his class, so of course I say "Yes!".
Monday (136.6). The wind is just howling this morning, it's hard to even walk between buildings, but we set off. Wind at our backs, so aside from being pushed faster than we want to go as we are starting off, it's ok, but then we turn into the wind - it's all we can do to walk. Our loop takes us around the cinder cone so we get all sides of the wind and the wind is forced around this very large object in it's path. The slightly downhill 1.1 mile section that we always time should give us wind at our backs, but in reality, only some of the time. When the wind comes from side, it is really tough, and for that brief section where it hits me face on, I about came to a standstill. Sheesh! Overall, that part was good, 8:10 for the 1.1 mile, but then as we turned west and headed up the canyon, it was all I could do to keep walking.
We were bent over, working hard just to swing a leg forward, gasping for breath, and the gusts about knocked me over. Add to that this wind is from a strong low pressure system and it's as if we are at a higher elevation that we really are - there is NO Oxygen! Really wish I had worn my HRM as I think my averages would have been higher than usual given how hard we had to work to get home.
