I am always training for my next race and I am always planning my next trip.  I don’t know how I’d spend my time if that wasn’t the case.  My current adventure in my chasing dreams quest involves taking a short break from the Ironman events of the past few years and training for something a little different.

My wish is to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in July.

Having said that, I am fully aware of how difficult it will be and the possibility that I may not make it.  It is the altitude that frightens me.  I am attempting to do everything I can to ensure success;  from training, to losing weight, to simulating altitude to build stamina.

Mount Kilimanjaro is 5,895 m (19,341 ft) above sea level.  Most hikers fail to summit because of nausea, hallucinations & altitude sickness.

I purchased an elevation Training Mask to assist in preparing for this adventure.  Athletes use the training mask to increase respiratory muscle conditioning.  It is a method of simulating altitude while staying at sea level.  Traveling to an elevated altitude is not an option for everyone.  My brother in law is currently in Italy training in the Alps.  Can you hear the jealousy in my voice? He is preparing for Bike TransAlps this year.

I need to inform you about the Training Mask.  The Training Mask makes breathing more strenuous, and it is difficult! I can certainly feel my abs & breathing muscles while I am wearing it.  It forces you to take deeper breaths without being conscious of it.  The deeper breathing should result in increased endurance and stronger breathing muscles, strengthening the diaphragm muscles.  The Training Mask can be set at different elevation levels.  You should start out at the lowest elevation and begin by wearing it without exercising.  Then exercise with it on and continue.  It is challenging but I do feel like it is working.  I am exhausted after a workout.

I am writing this post and letting others know about this because this past weekend I was  out running, or I should say hiking because it wasn’t much of a run and someone reported me to the police.  Really!  I was on a back road in rural Ontario, wearing the Training Mask, doing hill repeats and clearly someone was frightened or threatened and felt the need to inform the police.  It was a little disconcerting to have the police stop and talk to me.  The police officer, a large man in an SUV, was very polite and friendly.  He asked about Kilimanjaro and we spoke for a short time.  I, however was shaking and very uncomfortable.  My sister spoke to a friend later who asked about my training & I am a little mortified that I would be the topic of any conversation.  I was wearing a bright pink t-shirt at the time & that just makes the entire thing seem silly.  Not to mention the fact that it was a long weekend.  I’m certain the police received any number of legitimate calls – a much better use of their time and resources.

A funny thing happened on my way to the mountain…it just didn’t feel at the time.

I am going to continue to train and chase the next dream.  If you see me out on the road, stop and talk if you’d like but please don’t bother the police.

Here’s hoping that if I hallucinate on the mountain it’s awe-inspiring spectacular!