Liza Howard

Liza Howard

Liza Howard is a long-time is a longtime ultrarunner who lives in San Antonio, Texas. She teaches for NOLS Wilderness Medicine, coaches, directs the non-profit Band of Runners, and drives her kids around in a minivan.

May 2012
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9 miles on Turquoise Lake and mountain morning

LizaLiza

Hello from Leadville!  I wanted to get up super early this morning to have time to run and e-mail before class, but the bed wouldn’t let me up.  I struggled free around 6, showered and got ready for class, and then realized that I hadn’t changed my watch to mountain time and it was only 5:15.  Score!  So no run yet, but a little blogging and some class prep.

I’m on the campus of the High Mountain Institute  just past the Mount Massive Golf Course heading toward the Fish Hatchery (for those of you familiar with Lead-vegas).

 

It’s a wonderful place with some pretty fortunate students wandering around.

Anyway!  I got to town around 4pm yesterday and headed directly to Turquoise Lake for a run before the effects of the altitude could smack me down.  I realize this doesn’t make much physiological sense, but it seems like it takes my body about 5 hours to realize the air is thin.  I ran 9 miles reveling in the smell of pine trees and soft footing the entire way.  I think the temperatures were in the 60s, which probably did a lot to offset the effects of 10,000 feet.  We always joke in San Antonio that the heat and humidity has to have some training benefits for running at altitude and I think it does.  Heat index of 100 = less suffering at 10,000 feet?

I only saw four other people on the trail, which surprised me.  Where was everybody?   I mean, sure it was a Tuesday afternoon and all, but it’s the end of May.  I expected more vacationing families soaking in the gorgeousness.

The altitude finally did smack me down around 8pm and I crawled into bed with a fine headache, feeling pretty nauseated.  My appetite is still down this morning, but I’m not nauseated and my head is fine.  We’ll see how the run feels this afternoon.  Time to teach some wilderness medicine now.  🙂

PS.  Here’s the view from my room.  That’s Mount Massive in the background.

I love my job.

 

Comments 13
  • Kelly Agnew
    Posted on

    Kelly Agnew Kelly Agnew

    Reply Author

    Very jealous! Leadville is my favorite place to run. I’ll be out in July for the 50 and back in August for the 100. I can’t wait. Have fun and we’ll see you in August!


    • Liza Howard
      Posted on

      Liza Howard Liza Howard

      Reply Author

      Yeah!  I will take lots of Leadville pictures for you these next 10 days Kelly and eat a few slices of pizza from High Mountain Pies for you.  I love it here too.  I almost bought a Leadville coffee mug and shot glass at the Safeway yesterday.  Pathetic.  😉


  • ATAlvarado
    Posted on

    ATAlvarado ATAlvarado

    Reply Author

    Beautiful! Wow! Looks so peaceful! I am sure no cicada bug sounds at night over there! Lol!


    • Liza
      Posted on

      Liza Liza

      Reply Author

      Just geese honking sounds over the lake in the early morning.


  • Brett
    Posted on

    Brett Brett

    Reply Author

    You are correct – look up Density Altitude:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Density_altitude

    At 90F+ heat index it can often ‘feel’ like you’re quite a few thousand feet higher than you are…


  • Pommers
    Posted on

    Pommers Pommers

    Reply Author

    So jealous Liza! Have a great time with the course. Interesting about the altitude / temperature thing – I was aware, but always surprised it makes such a difference.


    • Liza
      Posted on

      Liza Liza

      Reply Author

      I never really realized how big an affect the cooler temps really do mitigate some of the altitude effects.


  • Stacey
    Posted on

    Stacey Stacey

    Reply Author

    You do have a great job!!


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