I climbed the Sears Tower steps last Sunday. All 103 floors, all 2109 steps.
Larry and I left his house around 5:30 in the morning. Our climbing time was 7:10, and we were supposed to be there 30 minutes before. We got there around 6:30, parked and went inside. The building was just opening and people were still rushing around getting things ready. We checked our bags and found a place to stretch. He’s a big stretcher, I might do a calf or a hurdler’s stretch if I’m lucky. I just listened to my iPod and watched all the other people getting ready. There were all kinds of folks. Some were casual climbers in cotton pants and a golf shirt (older folks mostly), but most were pretty serious about the task before them. Just watching their warm-up exercises was making me tired.
The first wave started at 7:00. They had all started by 7:04, so they let us get started. Everyone lines up, and one-by-one, the starter gives you the ok to proceed. He’s doing that in seven second intervals to provide adequate spacing. Larry wished me luck, and off he went, seven seconds later, it was my turn. The starter gave me the go-ahead, I walked across the timing mat and into the stairwell. I had forgotten how steep those damn steps are. I liken the starting experience to shoving off of a dock and swimming across the ocean. I was just over the starting line, and it seemed there was forever in front of me.
This was my second stairclimb. Much like the first one, it didn’t take long for me to question whether I really wanted to do this or nor. About 3 floors into it, I was looking for the exit. I got to the 5th floor and remember saying to myself “OK, 20 more, just like that one!!” Easier said than done, right? The first water station was at the 10th floor. Last time, I regretted not making the first water stop. I have this thing against drinking while trying to climb steps, so I stopped at the 10th floor and took a few sips. I greeted the other climbers as they passed, thanked the folks manning the water table and went on my way. I climbed another 5 floors and took another breather. I knew the next water station was at the 23rd floor, only 8 more to go. Maybe I could do 8 floors and stop at the next station. At the 19th floor, I said to myself “This is halfway between 15 and 23, why don’t you stop here?” My stomach was feeling a little wobbly as well. From that point on, I never did more than 4 floors at a time without stopping. It was OK, though. I enjoyed taking my time and not over-doing it.
I got to the 59th floor and reasoned that there were only 11 more sets of 4 until I would be finished. From there on, I just counted them down. I don’t know if it was fatigue or what, but around 8 sets of 4 to go, I couldn’t do the math to figure out how many floors were left. Anyhow, I made it to the 99th floor. I could hear the noise on the 103rd and feel the fresh air coming into the stairwell. Did that inspire me to keep going? Absolutely not; why mess with a good thing?!? I took another break then pressed on to the top. They announced my name when I got to the top; at least I’m told they did. I went over to the window, looked out on the city and chest heaving, lungs burning, sweat dripping, thought to myself “I got up this b%t(h all by myself”
After that, we took the elevator down to the lobby. The organizers had set out bananas, apple, water, muffins, water, and juice. I had a banana while we waited for our team photo. Then I ate an apple while we waited for the photo to print. I had a bagel while Larry was in line to pick up the photo. Obviously, my stomach was feeling much better. The ham and cheese omelet, hash browns, and pancakes we later had for breakfast didn’t hurt things either.
All in all, I’d have to say it was definitely a great experience. My time wasn’t as good as I would’ve liked, but for my size, I’d say it wasn’t too bad either. The winner did the thing in 13:42. I saw him before the race, and he’s maybe half my size. The top lady was a 38 y/o woman from Indy who made the climb in 15:01. Larry finished in 26:16.
The next climb is on 1/27/08 at the Aon Center in Chicago. It’s only 80 floors, and I don’t even know if I’m going to train for it ;-)
Larry and I left his house around 5:30 in the morning. Our climbing time was 7:10, and we were supposed to be there 30 minutes before. We got there around 6:30, parked and went inside. The building was just opening and people were still rushing around getting things ready. We checked our bags and found a place to stretch. He’s a big stretcher, I might do a calf or a hurdler’s stretch if I’m lucky. I just listened to my iPod and watched all the other people getting ready. There were all kinds of folks. Some were casual climbers in cotton pants and a golf shirt (older folks mostly), but most were pretty serious about the task before them. Just watching their warm-up exercises was making me tired.
The first wave started at 7:00. They had all started by 7:04, so they let us get started. Everyone lines up, and one-by-one, the starter gives you the ok to proceed. He’s doing that in seven second intervals to provide adequate spacing. Larry wished me luck, and off he went, seven seconds later, it was my turn. The starter gave me the go-ahead, I walked across the timing mat and into the stairwell. I had forgotten how steep those damn steps are. I liken the starting experience to shoving off of a dock and swimming across the ocean. I was just over the starting line, and it seemed there was forever in front of me.
This was my second stairclimb. Much like the first one, it didn’t take long for me to question whether I really wanted to do this or nor. About 3 floors into it, I was looking for the exit. I got to the 5th floor and remember saying to myself “OK, 20 more, just like that one!!” Easier said than done, right? The first water station was at the 10th floor. Last time, I regretted not making the first water stop. I have this thing against drinking while trying to climb steps, so I stopped at the 10th floor and took a few sips. I greeted the other climbers as they passed, thanked the folks manning the water table and went on my way. I climbed another 5 floors and took another breather. I knew the next water station was at the 23rd floor, only 8 more to go. Maybe I could do 8 floors and stop at the next station. At the 19th floor, I said to myself “This is halfway between 15 and 23, why don’t you stop here?” My stomach was feeling a little wobbly as well. From that point on, I never did more than 4 floors at a time without stopping. It was OK, though. I enjoyed taking my time and not over-doing it.
I got to the 59th floor and reasoned that there were only 11 more sets of 4 until I would be finished. From there on, I just counted them down. I don’t know if it was fatigue or what, but around 8 sets of 4 to go, I couldn’t do the math to figure out how many floors were left. Anyhow, I made it to the 99th floor. I could hear the noise on the 103rd and feel the fresh air coming into the stairwell. Did that inspire me to keep going? Absolutely not; why mess with a good thing?!? I took another break then pressed on to the top. They announced my name when I got to the top; at least I’m told they did. I went over to the window, looked out on the city and chest heaving, lungs burning, sweat dripping, thought to myself “I got up this b%t(h all by myself”
After that, we took the elevator down to the lobby. The organizers had set out bananas, apple, water, muffins, water, and juice. I had a banana while we waited for our team photo. Then I ate an apple while we waited for the photo to print. I had a bagel while Larry was in line to pick up the photo. Obviously, my stomach was feeling much better. The ham and cheese omelet, hash browns, and pancakes we later had for breakfast didn’t hurt things either.
All in all, I’d have to say it was definitely a great experience. My time wasn’t as good as I would’ve liked, but for my size, I’d say it wasn’t too bad either. The winner did the thing in 13:42. I saw him before the race, and he’s maybe half my size. The top lady was a 38 y/o woman from Indy who made the climb in 15:01. Larry finished in 26:16.
The next climb is on 1/27/08 at the Aon Center in Chicago. It’s only 80 floors, and I don’t even know if I’m going to train for it ;-)
4 comments:
You have inspired me. I think I am going to organize a climb here in Eufaula. You should come down.
Of course I don't know if you will need to train for it the most stairs in town would be in a house that has 3 floors and a basement. Not quite Sears Tower worthy.
Andrew, I'm SOOOOO proud of you!! That is an amazing feat. I'm 100% sure I would've stopped on about the 3rd floor and made some excuse about my heart or cramps or something. You should definitely be proud of yourself.
Andrew, you so rock! Seriously! I don't think I could have done it. I would have been looking for the elevator about 10 stories in. Good for you!! I'll go to Shane's climb. That sounds much more like something I could handle.
Way to go! There is no way I could have done it. Very proud:)
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