High Altitude Training

Palm Springs, California. A city is fabulous as we are.

The Riviera Palm Springs. December 2017.No place I would rather be.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. A gondola that takes you up 8,516 feet to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Elevation: over a mile high. We had never been.

I got ready for my day by pulling on my full length compression hose, then squeezing myself into my skinny jeans. I ate extra salt for breakfast. This is my routine when I get on a plane. I love blood pressure.

How I would do exercising at a high altitude, I had no idea. I was very careful. I let Mr. Pennington lead the way, so I could pay attention to placing my feet well on the ground and never stumble. I do not want to roll an ankle. I do not want to fall and hit my head. I have enough problems.

We hiked, took in the scenery, breathed in the wonderful air and took selfies. It was quiet and peaceful up there. I felt close to God.

Mr. Pennington is from Alaska, so naturally he looks good on a mountain.

My body had no problems keeping up. I was stunned. About five miles and all the flights climbed were at altitude.

We had lunch at the restaurant up there. I was expecting mediocre. My expectations were wrong. I had the best burger I had had since my last night in Paris, along with a wonderful California wine. With our mountain high, we forgot to take a pic.

As we waited to for the gondola down, I had to work hard to hold in my tears. The air was dry and we had done so much exercise at a high elevation, I did not think I could take the fluid loss.

What were the bubbling tears about?

Sorrow over all the years of my life I lost to my wretched disease. Relief that I could know what it was like to feel this healthy and strong. I thought I would be only happy if I got well. It’s been complicated.

We made it back to the Rivera in time to catch the last bit of afternoon sun by the pool. No place I’d rather be.