Today I drove the 185 km back on the motorbike from Phuket – island paradise. At least it was once. I can’t take more than about a night of it.

I felt good once I was back home. I decided to head up the mountain. I was not sure how I’d do because I did a wicked workout – probably hardest 30 minutes of exercise I’ve ever done in my life… well, OK, not true. Couldn’t possibly be true, but I did push very hard and it was the hardest I’ve pushed in 15 years anyway.

I figured I’d do one fast and if that went well – do as much of another one fast too – and then go up at whatever pace would keep me alive.

I met one of the young monks at the bottom of the steps and asked if he was game to climb. He said yes, he hadn’t been up in about 10 days! Nice rest… I asked if he wanted to race up. He declined… lol. I’m glad he did.

We started out and I ran up the first 50 and fast up the next 40. I don’t think he was prepared for the effort, but he quickly adapted and was right with me… then dropped back 10, 30, 80 steps… by the top I had him by 30 seconds. I was dying near the top – and only did a 13:07 climb. That’s pretty horrible for a hard effort! I was toast though… I definitely wasn’t recovered from the past couple great workouts. I didn’t really think I would be, so no harm done. In fact, I had another AMAZING workout because I pushed hard when I didn’t have it.

Then I asked him – you want to go again?

We had enjoyed just 105 seconds rest, and we were jogging down the stairs again. It took us 7:30 to get down. That’s a comfortable pace, nothing too fast.

At the bottom I asked – still ready to do another?

He said – let’s go!

I was like, uhm, my 24 year old friend, let me explain something to you – at 46 I need at least 60 seconds of rest!

He was already starting…

I went.

I died the entire way up. He led the way – and had me by 20 steps most of the way – he did a steady climb of 17 minutes. I did a steady until I died… rested for 3-5 breaths and sprinted up after him, caught him, and died – grabbing more breaths. It went like this the entire climb.

Right now – 5 hours after we climbed, my legs are total mush.

I should mention – I’ve had about 400 calories today – over what it took to do 2 times up the mountain. So, total – 1100 calories today. 700 for the climbs. I’ve no idea if that’s right, I’m sure I’m under-guessing. But, I’d rather underestimate calories burned than overestimate.

So today I’ll have a lot of water and sleep early. It will help but not entirely counter-balance the 2 whole pizzas I ate yesterday in Patong Beach, Phuket!

I seem to be able to binge once every 7-10 days with no ill-effects, so I never forget to DO IT!

Ok then – go find some stairs!!

Cheers,

Vern