<p>Well, I’m all done with the stair climb, and though it wasn’t as bad as my nightmares (ie dreaming it was one long set of 69 floors all going straight up, with people toppling backwards), I am not thrilled with my time. Just got tired way too quickly. I did beat most of the women in my age category, but I’m sure I didn’t get in the top ten. Maybe next year if I train a little harder, I’ll tell you, there are some really fit older ladies!</p>
<p>On a positive note, my husband and his friend did spectacularly well.</p>
<p>Back from hiking. Climbed Mt. Pemi – 3.7 miles, 1350 feet of elevation gain. All on snow shoes. There were people hiking in boots and it would have been do-able, but there was enough snow that snow shoes were a good choice.</p>
<p>I took pretty much exactly the same time as a I last month in the snow with boots/microspikes. That’s a little surprising because I would have guessed that snow shoes would be slower. I think that, overall, I prefer the snow shoes for soft snow.</p>
<p>I am doing the same thing on these uphill hikes as the low heart rate running idea. I’m concentrating on going as slow as I need to go to keep my heart rate down and to be able to go for long stretches with out panting or burning thighs. That is mighty slow, indeed. I was pretty successful at it today. My max heart rate was 84% and I was able to do substantially all of the hike below 80%. On the really steep bits, I was taking a breath with each step, but was able to keep going.</p>
<p>Really nice day. Snow flurries as I was getting out of the car, but it cleared up with a mostly deep blue sky. 35 degrees in the parking lot. 29 degrees at the summit. Breezy, but not howling wind. I wore lightweight baselayer top and bottom. Soft shell hiking pants and a power fleece hoodie. Just about right. Sweating a bit, but not drenched, on the way up. Just a little cool on the way down. The nice thing about the power fleece is that it breathes. Put on a down jacket while I was hanging out drinking coffee and eating roasted almonds at the summit.</p>
<p>“Busdriver, finishing it sounds like quite a feat to me!!
How many people compete? Is this done often - I’ve never heard of it before…”</p>
<p>Nah, not much of a feat abasket. I’m not somebody who just wants to finish, I want to win. But of course, you have to train hard and not eat as much pizza as I do. There are about 6,000 people in it. It’s called the Big Climb, where you climb the Columbia Tower in Seattle. It’s a fundraiser for leukemia.</p>
<p>Sounds like a great hike, idad. Nothing like taking advantage of the snow and enjoying it!</p>
<p>Deborah- did you see the link a few pages back (or on the Runners’ World site) about the top 10 rain jackets? It’s always a problem to have breathability AND water resistance. My son likes the Brooks jacket that is in the top 10 list and uses it in pouring rain in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>Congrats on the finish, BusDriver. Sounds like you placed pretty high, but I know what you mean about not being satisfied. It sounds hard to me. What a huge event!</p>
<p>iDad- those heel elevators are pretty sweet. That must help a lot. You sure have come a long way. Hiking up mountains on snowshoes! Did you ever think you would see the day?</p>
<p>Bus, this is the time to party – no beating yourself up! You made it, and without hurling, there’s always something to be said for that! iDad, ever adding to your skills and abilities, way to go!</p>
<p>MOWC, I’ll get it figured out yet. Or I’ll just get wet. ;)</p>
<p>Always important! Thank you Deborah! And busdriver, that is amazing. I am really, really impressed. I might have to take up stairclimbs just to have pizza again.</p>
<p>Great workout day! -from busdriver’s stair climbing to saba’s first C25K run to idad’s snowshoeing, not to leave out Deb T’s and MoWC’s runs or CJane’s diverse activities…good job and toasting one of mrscollege’s virtual concoctions to you all.</p>
<p>MoWC–I think I’m probably less likely to be stopped by neighbors when I’m doing the walk/run thing, than I am when my face is beet red with the elevated HR and heat/humidity factor :(</p>
<p>Considering that I had never hiked before last July, no, I can’t say that I thought I would ever see the day. I had no idea what winter hiking and snow shoeing might be like. I thought I might stick to the Audubon Center during the winter. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that winter hiking and snow shoeing is fantastic, and really not that difficult if you pick and choose the days. I think I was smart to build up the snow shoeing slowly. Today equalled my longest outing and the first time I’ve tried some serious elevation. The three mile jaunts around the Audubon Center have helped me figure out what is feasible.</p>
<p>I used to take advantage of the winter weather with downhill skiing, but I reached the point where I didn’t really enjoy it enough to justify the expense – and, frankly, I took enough hard falls to see that it was going to catch up with me. The last time I went, I drove home with a bloody face after doing a face plant.</p>
<p>The hiking is working for me on so many levels. It’s great exercise. Low impact, low injury risk. It’s fresh air. And, the places I’m hiking are just beautiful. I hope that I get a little more capable as I go, building on the base of my first year of hiking.</p>
<p>1 mile, cleaned the kitchen and part of the basement. I just have the remainder of the basement to do which I have to get done by tomorrow. I figure two hours early morning and part of the afternoon.</p>
<p>Looks like a lot of great weekend workouts. It will be time to take a few steps outside for me in about a week when we get consistent 50+ degree days. Looking forward to it. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a snowstorm before then though.</p>
<p>It’s a feature on most high-end snow shoes – the models intended for steep terrain, like hiking in the White Mountains. Most of the MSR snow shoes have them. Easier on the legs, better traction.</p>
<p>They just flip up when you want to use them, flip down flat when you don’t. Today was the first time I had used them as they are intended for long sustained climbs. Not good for flat terrain and definitely not good for downhill! The Audubon Center is just rolling terrain. Nothing steep enough to need them. I’ve seen people using them, but I had been doing these mountain climb hikes in boots and microspikes.</p>
<p>Interesting, the biggest benefit of the snow shoes was on the down hill, where I had been slipping and sliding a bit as the snow gives way under foot. Not with the snow shoes. Rock solid traction. Basically, hard pack trail, use the spikes. Recent snow, use the snow shoes.</p>
<p>Awesome job, everyone. Big shout out to busdriver – I’ll be pondering your achievement next time I am on the stairmaster (my least favorite machine)</p>
<p>Fast Day
Had some cream in my tea, which is technically a cheat, but I’ve always been a rebel ;)</p>
<p>Im glad you didnt have to climb in firefighter gear.
Did everyone stop and use the bathroom at the top?
( [Columbia</a> Tower Bathrooms… A-mazing. - YouTube](<a href=“Columbia Tower Bathrooms... A-mazing. - YouTube”>Columbia Tower Bathrooms... A-mazing. - YouTube)
D & her sig other are doing another 1/2 marathon next weekend at Dash Point, so I will be in training to cheer them on!</p>
<p>I bought her more barefoot shoes and we were talking about compression calf sleeves after I saw them at REI. She said she really doesnt use them to run, but she does when she wants to relax/ study.
I was thinking they might help me too. Whether it is from exercise, or arthritis or fibromyalgia, both of my arms just * ache* and pressure sounds like it would feel really good.</p>
<p>They are supposed to also help prevent injury and aid recovery?
Has anyone tried them?</p>
<p>Idad, beautiful hike! My hill out back is pretty steep to get up and down and I agree 100% that the whole affair is much easier on snowshoes than micro spikes. The poles help enormously too!</p>
<p>After watching your video I’m kicking my butt that I didn’t get out on the hills yesterday. My mistake was attempting the airdyne intervals first, which I eventually figured out, after shredding my thigh muscles, I need to allow more time between. No reverse tabatas for me for a while Then I ended up tied up on errands, during which the sun came out and I wished I was on the hills. But then was starving for dinner, then there wasn’t quite enough light left. So I then got back on the airdyne for a gentler 20 min to make up for the fact that due to a 7 am meeting and the dark, I will be missing the hill this morning too.</p>
<p>I’m starting to resent things that get in the way of my treks, but I just can’t do it in the dark!</p>
<p>Kudos, bus driver, on the stairs! I would so be happy just to finish something like that, but can see how the competitive spirit might enter into it. I suppress that spirit by attrition ;)</p>
<p>I saw this on the “Good Buy of the Day” thread and thought of some of you here - especially the hikers - have you ever heard of the website “Steep and Cheap” - kind of like a “Woot” for outdoor equipment? Wondering if anyone has purchased from it…</p>
Then I ended up tied up on errands, during which the sun came out and I wished I was on the hills. But then was starving for dinner, then there wasn’t quite enough light left. So I then got back on the airdyne for a gentler 20 min to make up for the fact that due to a 7 am meeting and the dark, I will be missing the hill this morning too.</p>![http://loomisadventures.com/sites/default/files/images/gear/msr_lightning_ascent_snowshoes_07.jpg]heel](http://loomisadventures.com/sites/default/files/images/gear/msr_lightning_ascent_snowshoes_07.jpg%5Dheel){kind=link}
