With a couple of friends, I attempted the Manitou Incline last weekend.
I didn’t know what to expect since I have lost a lot of weight, and have been working out on the treadmill at a slope at the gym. A part of me was optimisic this would be a breeze, just like so many hiking trips had been.
But my memories were from a long time ago. Back THEN I used to jog. Back THEN I hiked up several mountains. I knew I could hike for hours if the ground was flat or had minor slopes, but I had no idea how I would do going up the grade that the Manitou Incline is.
I was grateful to my friend who was willing to go. Actually, hiking was my idea and the Manitou Incline specifically was his. And grateful for my niece who uses the Manitou Incline as her regular cardio routine who also was there and had the presence of mind to take these gorgeous pictures. I on the other hand, was busy at this level caught in euphoria of being there in that magnificant location at that magnificant time. (We started at 6:00am and watched the sunrise.)
I was also at that moment gasping for breath. I felt torn between extremely proud of myself for achieving what I had, and realizing my heart rate was racing just a little TOO much. I was having to rest every 5 feet and just in front of us was the steepest part of the walk.
We passed the 1200 marker (meaning 1200 railroad tie steps completed out of 2700 total) I saw a trail off to the right and decided I would end my attempt there. My friends advanced to the top, and I looped around on a trail back to the base even then knowing I would be back to try this again. I had believed if I took my time and rested often I could make it to the top of the incline, but I saw just how much time that would be, and I didn’t want to hold up my younger friends.
Shortly after I got home, I made an appointment with my gym for an evaluation next weekend. Reaching the top of the Manitou Incline will be the goal. I am dreading that they are going to tell me to start doing the stair stepper machines. (Ok, that is a clue that I was destined to struggle on the incline.) However, I am happy where I now am. Two years ago, I would not have gotten as far as I did, so I am ready to keep the progress going.
I suppose on a related topic, I recently had an evaluation with my care provider. After the blood draw, the numbers are looking good. The metabolic panel was normal. The total cholesterol was still high but coming down. (It was 248 in March, and 215 this month in October. The goal is 200 or less.) However the hemoglobin A1C rose slightly. (It was 5.7 in March and is 5.8 in October. The goal is less than 5.7.)
I was puzzled why, if I had lost 24 lbs in that time, and the cholesterol numbers reflected that by going down, why did the A1C value go up? I thought if one went down the other likely would also. The care provider said she wasn’t worried. The A1C lags behind the cholesterol, and will likely be lower next time if I stay on the same trajectory.
That is a relief.
So, great friends, great family, great hikes, life is good, and mid-life health is almost restored.
Stair stepper, here I come…!
Sending out love to the world… May all wars end so what we talk about world-wide is how our health and lives are restoring, and the cool hikes we’ve taken.