This is a little picture of another fun day in a tower. Well, actually, this kind of fun includes a lot of agony. But there is an exhilaration that follows the pain. O woke at 05:00 and drank a quart of water (to get hydrated for the race). After about 50 minutes, I ate tofu and oatmeal. There was time for a 3 minute warm up on Debbie's exercise bike before driving off at 07:05. I started the registration process at 07:30. I was a little nauseated when I woke up (perhaps pre-race jitters). Since Jason had the flu the previous week, I was hoping I wasn't coming down with the same thing. In my mind, a debate was raging.
I had practiced with a metronome until I bought a little MP3 player and downloaded metronome beats onto it. The idea was that pacing is a bit of a problem. People tend to start out too fast (the metronome can help hold back). Then they lag and drag at the end (the metronome can help push forward). My debate was weather to set the metronome for 200 beats per minute or 216 bpm. I was quite sure I could handle 200 bpm, but it would put me a little slower than my desired 4 minute time. I did not know if there were any surprises (extra connectors to walk or run, etc.).
I was scheduled to climb with the elite climbers (which is the main reason I was so nervous). How they came up with that idea, I still don't know for sure. But it gave a distinct advantage since I would not have to pass anyone in the stairwell (passing can waste precious steps on the way up--especially when turning on the landings). Still, starting with the "pros" was a bit unnerving. I got to meet Jesse Berg before going up. He is one of the fastest stair climbers in America and often finishes ahead of all the others (or at least in the first 3 or 4). He was probably relieved that Terry Purcell was not there (the number 1 US climber of all time).
I had fun getting acquainted with a number of the elite climbers. John Osborn had an arm that was carpeted with tattoos. But I knew he was fast. Once again, I thought I would go crazy from all of the adrenalin in my system. But it wasn't quite as bad as my first climb (the Willis Tower).
I finally decided to set the metronome beats to 216 bpm for the first climb and just endure the pain. I would definitely have to slow down for the second and third climbs, but I knew they looked at the first climb for determining position (first, second, third, etc.).
When it was my turn to go, I had way too much energy at the beginning of the climb. The metronome clicks helped to hold me back. I was climbing barefoot. I got the idea from Henry Wigglesworth (who did this at the Willis Tower climb). I hesitated about doing this when I heard about it. I was afraid of someone stepping on my toe or something. But then I realized that people were not stepping on toes in my previous climb. It was just an irrational fear. I had practiced climbing barefoot at the Conference office (3400 stairs up and down). This made my feet sore (because of the down hill part), but going up didn't bother me. The race was only up, so it would be no problem.
Now, before I knew I had even started climbing, I saw that I was passing the sixth floor. I had to start pushing a little bit. Then floors 15 through 31 were really hard. They took more mental power than physical power since my body was begging for rest.
The climb in stairwell number 1 (where the people doing multiple climbs were getting a workout) was clockwise as we went up. In my practice sessions at the Conference Office, the stairwell goes up counterclockwise. Though the direction is different, it is still very helpful to practice in a commercial building so that I can be ready to negotiate landings with the fewest possible steps.
I took water at the first water station. I heard feet pounding up above me (I think it was Jesse Berg--the fastest climber). I was glad for the metronome beats to hold me back at the beginning and to push me at the end.
I was glad to be climbing barefoot. This was much lighter than wearing shoes and probably shaved a good half minute off my climb time. I had cut off the foot portion of an old sock so that I could attach the climbing chip to it at the ankle of my left leg (this way there was no need to safety pin it to the flesh of my leg).
I drank water and rested at the top of the first climb (maybe 5-8 minutes). After the second climb, I got to talk to Jesse (who had finished his third climb). He told me he was time to keep his rest times short this year, but last year he had rested around 10 minutes. He also mentioned that Xavier Santiago had gotten sick after his first climb last year from pushing so hard. I didn't know that (I only knew that both of these guys could climb 31 floors in under 3 minutes--unbelievable time for 680 stairs).
Before taking the elevator down for the second climb, I set the metronome beats down to 192 bpm. There was no way I could face 216 bpm again today. Yes, I have practiced at up to 270 bpm at home (going up and down). But climbing only up and up takes too much out of a person to maintain that kind of pace.
On the second and third climbs, the weariness kicked in very soon. Almost the entire climb (for climbs 2 and 3) was pushing and pushing. I allowed myself the luxury of taking single steps here and there to catch my breath. Normally, I double step the climb (skipping every other step).
Another challenge on the last two climbs was passing. I had enjoyed the luxury of having no one to pass and no one to pass me on the first climb. But other people were starting their first climb as I was going up my second and third times. The brain does terrible things to you when you meet someone on the way up after the energy seems to be gone. It says, "slow down, let this person lead for a while". But I knew I had to pass if I was to get a decent time again. One person looked like she was in agony. I would later learn that she was OK, just pushing herself beyond her comfort zone (she did pretty well for her age category). I met her after the climb and discovered that she was Kristine Holtman from Springfield area. She had taken training from Terry Purcell and shared some of his tips later. Kristine was 50 and had climbed in 7:45 making her number 5 in her age and gender category.
I rested around ten minutes between climbs two and three. I felt pretty rough at first, but calmed down and got my wits back before too long. On the last climb, I had the advantage of knowing there would be no more climbs. This meant that I didn't have to save any energy. I could push past the "safe zone" for a while. And it cut off about 20 seconds from the middle climb.
In the end, I discovered that I had placed number 7 overall and number 1 in my age category. This was not how it turned out at first. They had my age listed as 26 and two of those guys were faster than me. I had to go back a couple of times to get them to put me back in with my own crowd. This did not change the overall position, but helped in the age category. You can view the climb times at
http://theracershub.com/results_view.php?id=1184&result_type=file
if you are interested. If you scroll down near the bottom you can also see times for the second and third climbs, as well as age category placements.
It was fun being at the top the third time. There was no worry about saving energy for another one. In the end, I discovered that the 31 floors (680 stairs) took me 4:01 (min:sec) the first climb, 5:15, the second climb, and 4:55 the third climb. If they had been emphasizing the total time, I would have evened the numbers out. I do much better in the end when I hold back a little more in the beginning. But hey, I'm not complaining. I took the risk in order to get the time down on the first climb.
The fastest climber (Jesse Berg) completed the climb in 2:48. The slowest climber completed the climb in 1:12:12 (hr:min:sec). Most people were more in the 10 to 20 minute range. The six people who beat me were all younger. Two were in their 20s, and four were in their 30s. The fastest climbers tend to be in their 30s. They are young enough to still have a lot of energy, and old enough to be able to handle suffering better than the younger ones.
Thank you again for your support (prayers, donations for the American Lung Association, and encouragement). It makes a difference on the long tough climb to know people are rooting for you. In the end, the American Lung Association brought in almost $120,000 from this charity climb. This should be a blessing to the people they serve. I am thankful to the Lord for giving energy, lung power, and leg endurance to experience these outcomes. NEWSTART makes a difference.
PS: If you are interested, there are pictures of the event. I have included links where I am included (if only a body part here and there). There are also a few other pictures after that (people I met that were of interest).
PICTURES
At the top (I think this was completing the first climb)
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1195709677_rGsVC
I am on the far right (face behind the blue balloon, bare foot visible at the bottom with red timing chip on black sock top)
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196784057_CVTqs
I am in the middle (looking to my left) shaking hands with another elite runner ready to climb stairwell one our first time. On the left side of the picture is John Osborn (finished as number 3). On the right side (face behind the balloon) is Jesse Berg (finished as number 1).
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196784955_f6kxf
I am number 11 waiting for my turn (at the front of the line now)
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196790445_22WLn
A shot from behind (I am wearing the white ATI T-shirt)
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196795044_AsFbE
I am marching in place to warm up before a fast climb (ATI T-shirt on left)
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196796724_7PYnG
A similar shot
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196798041_i4F5W
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Jesse Berg (the fastest climber in this race at 2:48) wears these "shoes" in the race. They are a kind of foot glove.
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196789467_jZmdE
I met Dawson Dunbar at the top. He told me he was eight years old. It made me wish Jason could be with me. Dawson did the climb in 7:45 (min/sec).
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196787368_GkeQb
I met Ben at the top after my third climb. He was excited (later) to learn he was number 7 in his age category at 7:26 (min/sec).
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196438511_HzEN4
I met Stan Lubinski (Ben's grandpa) at the top after my third climb.
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196436141_qsv5m
Some of these climbers can really jump
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196633520_4eTUT
Jesse Berg (the fastest runner) with his baby (?) (in a previous climb of 80 floors in the Aon building, Jesse had mentioned that his wife stayed up with the baby the previous night so that he could sleep before his race).
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1196626158_43wdD
Jesse Sprinting across the finish line on one of his climbs (he is intense)
http://photos.lungil.org/Events/2011-Fight-for-Air-Climb-OBT/15941108_Lde4K#1195763922_4wydi
--
Pastor Glenn Paul Hill (Elmhurst SDA Church)
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11
Phone: 630-435-6435 / Address: 246 W Butterfield Rd, Elmhurst, IL 60126
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