128 bpm

June 12, 2017

Hi, Tracy.
I'm back from my travels to the Banff-Canmore area of Alberta, Canada. Magnificent scenery.  As I said in the prior blog, when I was there I found myself exhausted with minor hikes, and then realized it was because the elevation there was about 5,000 feet higher than Seattle. Makes a difference. At the same time, however, my heartbeat at rest was as low as 46 beats per minute. That was a surprise.

Yesterday morning it was 48 bpm. I would have expected it to be lower than the Canmore rate, because I was at about 400 feet above sea level. But I'll settle for 48 bpm, because that still puts me in the top 3 percentile.

A new metric

A bit ago I walked to the waterfront and then came back uphill. My heart rate got to 128 bpm and I had to stop for breath. This is a new metric to keep track of, because it marks a new boundary. When I was in hiking shape I could trudge along with at least 20 pounds on my back and my speed limit was sometimes as high as 148 bmp -- and sometimes in the upper 150s. So the fact that 128 bpm is now my new speed limit shows how far I have to go to full recovery.

Love,
Dad

Short, challenging hike

June 7, 2017

Hi, Tracy.
Today I went on a hike that was surprisingly difficult. My traveling companion, Valerie Vessey, and I have been staying at a time share in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, and we drove to Banff National Park to see Moraine Lake. I wanted to hike there because of stunning photographs I had seen of that location, and because I wanted to build up my stamina.

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

The hike was short, but surprisingly difficult. I had to rest along the path that lead to the headwaters of the lake. Afterward, when we climbed up on the moraine at the opposite end of the lake to get the "$20 view"  (the view that appeared on Canada's $20 bill), I climbed a staircase that just wore me out. It could not have amounted to more than 200 feet, elevation gain, but I had to stop and rest a couple times.

Later, I learned from a park employee that the lake was at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the elevation of Denver, the "mile high city," and I realized the elevation change from Seattle may have been the reason.While I didn't hike well, I believe the effort will have a positive impact on getting me back in shape.

Before we left the park, we talked with an individual who was directing traffic who told us he had just been watching a young female grizzlie bear which had just disappeared over a knoll. He shared information about the nature of the bears and how park staff co-exist with them -- including entering their dens to tag the young while the adults are away!  Afterward we drove up to look at Lake Louise before heading back home for dinner. We plan to do at least one other hike before we return to Seattle.

Addendum: June 8

At mid morning I took my pulse with amazing results: about 46 bpm. I don't get that. It's extremely slow, I'm at 5,000 feet, and I haven't exercised for months.


Love,
Dad