Travels

I was recently in Denver on business. Denver as we all know is the Mile High city. 5280 feet. I am a sea level guy, 48 feet elevation. CAN’T BREATH! I was there a few years ago and had developed a wicked headache about three days into the 5 day long trip, this year I hydrated well in advance of traveling so the headache did not rear its ugly head, but oh my, how quickly the heart rate rises during minimal activity. A simple walk down the block was tachycardic. I was able to take advantage of some sightseeing and visited Red Rocks and the Breckenridge area. While at red rocks I was amazed at all the people excercising within the arena, using the bleacher style seating as a giant stair stepper. 

I was standing on the stage and looking up while I took this.Walking down was not too bad, although it was much longer than it looked from the top. On the way back up I discovered how truly out of shape I am because I had to stop half way up and catch my breath…..and people were exercising on this stuff!  I do not know the acclimation time for altitude, but I am certain it is not 5 days. I got home late at night and the next day feeling good about being back at sea level I noticed the initial signs of altitude sickness. Pedal Edema! Going to the Ocean now….