Hmmm... Not immune to the altitude after all

It was an early morning, on not enough sleep or food... and maybe that's a contributor. I hope so because I can do better and feel better if that is the case.

I was in Rocky Mountain National Park before 8:30am. And 8:30 right now is feeling a darn lot earlier than it was a month ago.

The aspens had already lost a lot of their yellow leaves and the air was cool. Quite cool, with an even cooler breeze. And it appeared the animals were planning on waiting it out - 'til next spring because they were ABSENT today. :-(

At 11,700 feet, I noticed a headache. It seemed to be a lot of effort to breathe as I got in and out of the car for photo opps.  I pulled over and used my pulse oximeter to check myself. Then I used my smart watch too. After all, how could this be? I've had a spring in my step at 12,000 feet for months now. No symptoms!

My (sleeping) resting heart rate is typically 55-58  and my waking resting heart rate is a bit higher. No wonder my watch has concerns that at 11,700' and at least somewhat active, my heart rate is unresponsive. This is what a "bad day at altitude" looks like. My body, like all of yours, is a dynamic little work in progress. Progress is not linear or sometimes even predictable. 

An 90 mins post Diamox, my heart rate was really only about 5 beats faster and my O2 saturation was ... ehh. Passable but not impressive. Low 90's. But the headache had subsided and breathing felt easier.

I learned a few things yesterday. Mild symptoms tracked and addressed teach me about my body. File these teachings for Kili prep!

1. In the past Diamox has worked a lot faster than this... but I clearly can't rely on that and when it matters, I should be taking it hours in advance or maybe even start it the day before?

2. I'm NOT my best self as a driver, photographer or conversationalist when my brain is trying to adapt to lower O2.  

I cut the tail end off the coyote! This ranks right up there with cutting the feet off in a people-portrait. Definitely a pet peeve.  <sigh>

3. I'm going to repeat my performance at 11,700 feet in a couple of days - but this time with more sleep and food - for research.

And in the meantime; a couple of pics from yesterday that were not so bad.

NOTE: I revisited RMNP at the same time, same altitude and just increased the amount of sleep (a little) and added in an oatmeal breakfast prior to driving to 11,700' on October 10... just three days later. 

It was a new day and a different experience. No headache and no labored breathing at all. My heart rate picked up and so did my O2 saturation, with no Diamox needed. The spring in my step was BACK!!!

There's always room to add in a few pics too, right?!

It is definitely autumn here now. Shades of brown, gold and orange abound. My furry little friends are blending into rocks and tundra better than ever, so I'm less convinced they are absent, per se. Maybe just getting a better look at me than I am of them, these days!