Here are a few bits and pieces from Jason's second race (my fifth). This one was to benefit the American Lung Association (which received over $160,000 through this charity race). It took place in the Oakbrook Terrace Tower. This tower is 31 floors high. It has 680 steps. Being shorter than the Willis Tower, we climbed at faster speeds.
It was fun to go with Jason again. The American Lung Association let me climb with the elite climbers (to get a better score for the first climb--the one which is compared with all other climbers). Then, they let Jason join me for my second climb. We climbed together for his first and third climb (I had to take off the timing chip for his last climb since it was my fourth one). Jason's second (my last) I passed him around the sixth floor and kept going.
Jason had been such a determined little climber at the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) that I knew he should do pretty well in the shorter race. Sure enough, he stepped across the finish line in 5:23 (min:sec). His total times added together for the three climbs put him as number 24 out of 147. I was number 6 out of 147 (there were also three of the power hour climbers who were faster than I was).
For the total group, (including those with multiple climbs and those who only climbed once) Jason came in number 99 out of 634. I was number 9 out of 634. We were both first in age category. Jason's age category was 12 and under. Only eight of the teenagers beat him. The others were all adults.
One interesting note for me was my first trip up. I was really focused. I had metronome clicks ticking in my ears to keep my pace steady (216 steps per minute). I concentrated on the fewest number of steps per landing. This was all well and good until I reached the last landing. I turned and headed up toward the attic. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of the finish line on my left (with my peripheral vision). I had missed it and was headed beyond the end. I turned back and dashed across the line a few seconds after I could have crossed it (and less than one second slower than the next fastest racer). It makes a great illustration of how we can be so focused on what is near at hand that we lose track of the goal. Oh well. At least it still let me beat my previous year's time by about nine seconds. I am glad that this was only a race and not missing the finish line for Jesus' second coming or something really important.
Another interesting thing was that a man I knew from one of our SDA churches stopped me to ask for advice on getting up the stairs in good time. I couldn't tell him very much a few minutes before a climb. He would have needed to make his adjustments weeks earlier. You can't exactly cram for this kind of test.
Debbie joined us for this race (not as a racer, but as a supporter). She had no desire to come. She had no interest in the event whatsoever. But when she got there, things changed. There is such a sense of camaraderie among the climbers. Most of them have personal stories to tell about people who suffered from or died from lung disease. Before long, Debbie was making new friends and sharing stories. One of these friends was Wayne English (see comments below).
Jason loves these races. He is fast and determined. Between the two, he passes a lot of red faced racers, then chats with them at the top.
I am not sure how long these links will work, but here they are for now (with pictures and scores).
Jason waiting to climb with Dad.
http://photos.lungil.org/Other/2012-Fight-for-Air-Climb-at/21489214_zKb8tR#!i=1722606319&k=QwrTV35
Jason talking to Dad before the race up.
http://photos.lungil.org/Other/2012-Fight-for-Air-Climb-at/21489214_zKb8tR#!i=1722608527&k=C5bVMnH
Jason and Dad (this is the line at the bottom--from another angle).
http://photos.lungil.org/Other/2012-Fight-for-Air-Climb-at/21489214_zKb8tR#!i=1721500373&k=fwZcPjk
GPH at the top (I think this was after the first climb):
http://photos.lungil.org/Other/2012-Fight-for-Air-Climb-at/21489214_zKb8tR#!i=1720298025&k=HnFsVRb
I think this is a shot of Jason flying up the stairs. He was very determined to get there fast.
http://photos.lungil.org/Other/2012-Fight-for-Air-Climb-at/21489214_zKb8tR#!i=1731786879&k=73HWrHk
We met Wayne English (wrongly listed as 54 years old but actually 74). He climbed to the top in 7:19 (min:sec).
Our 74 year old friend from the Starved Rock area of Illinois:
http://photos.lungil.org/Other/2012-Fight-for-Air-Climb-at/21489214_zKb8tR#!i=1721523480&k=9vQHcpj
Climb times are available at the link below. These start with the power hour climbers (people who climbed as many times as possible in one hour). The fastest one was Eric Leninger. He got in 12 climbs in his hour of climbing. After that, people are listed who climbed the tower two times. Then there is a list of those who climbed three times. Justin Stewart was the fastest one of these (and the fastest in the entire race) with a climb to the 31st floor in 2:42 (min:sec). Jesse Berg (last year's winner) came in with a score of 2:43. That puts him awfully close to the winner. Soon, he will turn 40. Then I will move down one. The link to the scores is below:
http://theracershub.com/results_view.php?id=1551&result_type=file
There is also a link for a searchable list (which only lists the first climb for each climber).
Have a wonderful day.