As always, the camera comes with so I can snap along the way. Nothing like hauling ass up a hill with a good photo op as a reward.

As for Fermentable Friday (or Friday? BEER!) you can rest assured that I enjoyed a tasty brew after a ride like this.

She and some other regulars formed an indoor soccer team (with an awesome name and logo) that continues the Monday Night Futbol tradition.  Things have been picking up at my house, so I couldn’t afford to play, but I did fill in for a late match a few weeks ago. What a different game, but dare I say, even better than outdoor pickup. I’m gonna try and make it to a few more as official photographer, but I did snap a few pics at the last game.

This was also the first time I did any running to speak of since Run Like Hell, and I think I’m ready to get back into it. Let the training season begin.

As for Unicorn Bloodbath, you can catch their next game Monday the 31st of January at the indoor complex off Red Bank. Not sure on the time, but you’re not coming anyway.

First, everyone’s favorite downtown zealot posted a sweet video showing a Porsche GT3 racing up Pike’s Peak, one of the fiercest rally/hill climbs in the sport. The video (seen below) is absolutely awesome, both in the feat of the driver and that of the cinematography.

Not only did it make me want to go tear around town in my own car (we’ll save that for the winter) but it brought to the forefront of my mind an incredible hill climb of my own in the same locale, albeit on two feet instead of four wheels.

But the second (and more personal) angle to this story was brought on when @classicgrrl wrote this to me on twitter:

It was May 18, 2009 and I was in Colorado Springs to witness and celebrate my sister’s graduation from Colorado College. My Mother and Father were there as well, though we all had our own hotel rooms. Pictures=1,000 words, so to describe my love for that part of the country I simply need to show you the view from my hotel room–what I woke up to every day that trip.

That mountain top with the snow on it? That’s Pike’s Peak sitting over 14,000 feet above sea level, permanently covered in snow, tempting you to venture up its sides. If you click on the picture and look to the right, you can see a brown line running almost vertically up the adjacent hill (anything next to Da Peak is, in my opinion, a hill, although here it would be a mountain towering over the whole state….but I digress).

That is the Manitou Springs Incline…here’s a closer look.

Now, for a bit of backstory.. This was not my first trip to Manitou Springs. The previous Thanksgiving (we’re talking Nov. 2008) my family decided to fly out to CO to visit my sister for the Turkey Day celebration. My Mom and Dad had separated roughly 18 months before that, but it was just now becoming apparent to all parties involved that reconciliation was not part of the future picture. In fact, my Mom was in Florida, Dad was in DC, I was here in Cincy, and sis was, as stated earlier, in CO Springs. “Family Time” was all but nonexistent save for phone calls and video chats (Barses are nothing if not technology nerds). To say it was an awkward holiday season would be putting it mildly. In fact, it was one of the most soul-crushing, dreadful holidays of my life…..I mean, my parents had been married for 25 years, and 5 years prior had celebrated their 20th anniversary with large gathering of family near and far. I grew up watching my friend’s parents split, all the while thinking that could never happen to my Mom and Dad. Even when they broke the news to me it wasn’t that real, not until that Thanksgiving. The sentiment that surrounded that “vacation” had a profound effect on me and the way I view relationships.

Fast forward 7 months and I’m back in Colorado with my immediate family, but some things had changed. I had taken every bit of anger/sadness/pity and turned it into motivation to kick my own ass back into shape. I’m an active guy, especially when I’m in troubled waters (ask my Dad how much my mountain biking picked up when I was grounded and/or screwed up in the head during high school). My mom and sister are also runners, and we went out together a few times during the graduation trip. But I’m taller/stronger/faster than both of them (not bragging, just saying) and at some point the awkwardness of the whole situation got to me, and I needed to get out and run myself ragged.

My sister had told me about the Manitou Springs Incline before. An old rail incline that took people and their belongings partway up to Pike’s Peak, all that was left were the railroad ties, some more mangled than others from the constant freeze and thaw that part of the country goes through each year. Technically closed to hikers, the area still sees steady foot traffic as people climb the ~5,000 railroad ties to ascend roughly 2,000 vertical feet (keeping in mind the base of the hill is already 6,800 feet above sea level). At that point you meet up with the Barr Trail–a route that will take you four miles back down to the base, or continue up to the top of Pike’s Peak.

As the first picture demonstrates, I could see the incline from my hotel room, a thin brown line beckoning me to come scale its ascent. I got directions from my sister, the rental car from my Dad, an apple from the hotel, and I took off 7 miles west to Manitou.

I didn’t have my digi, but I did have my phone, and I quickly realized this was a picture worthy trip. That, and it was going to kick my ass.

Standing at the base let's you appreciate what you are about to tackle

In denial about the difficulty of the endeavor I started out jogging my way up, skipping ties as I went. Yeah, that lasted about as long as [insert extremely short fad here] and I slowed to a not-so-brisk walk before things even got steep (side note: they could really use more oxygen in the air out there).

Eventually I realized (like most of life) it was as much about the journey as the destination (and shit, I knew I wasn’t going to make to The Peak in shorts and a t-shirt) so I took it (kinda) slow and made sure to soak it all in.

The steeper it gets, the more mangled

I hit the top and kept hiking up the trail, making sure to take some self shots with Pike’s Peak in the background.

At some point I remembered I had to get back down, and I ran downhill, jumping over rocks an stumps on the Barr Trail, doing my best not to roll an ankle. I did pause to catch a glimpse of the Garden of the Gods protruding out of the trees in the distance.

For a few hours I lost myself out there, like a kid, with my mind focused on nothing but the environment around me. As I drove from one Springs to the other I realized, as I had many times before, that nothing in life is a constant (screw you death and taxes) and this journey was just another manifestation of the pendulum that swings back and forth between highs and lows. The important thing I have to remind myself is to stay positive, to know that at times things can look bleak, but damn it that will pass.

I see a lot of Facebook and Twitter updates which are cryptic and depressing…lord knows I’ve left my fair share (mostly in the form of lyrics) and I just want to remind people that life isn’t all berries and cream…but it doesn’t suck either. In fact, far from it. Sometimes it takes a race up a mountain to remember that.

]]> http://www.theboilover.com/2010/11/manitou-springs-incline/feed/ 1 http://www.theboilover.com/2010/11/if-you-have-to-run-like-hell-run-fast/ http://www.theboilover.com/2010/11/if-you-have-to-run-like-hell-run-fast/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:24:04 +0000 theboilover http://www.theboilover.com/?p=2784 Update: I’ve been told that due to the construction on Dana Ave and consequent rerouting of this year’s course, that this was not in fact a full 5K. I mapped it out on Dailymile and came up with 2.86 (and yes a traced the actual route through the cemetery as opposed to what they had on the Run Like Hell site). Part of me is really pissed about this. I don’t time myself when I run, I save that for races when I really push myself. I like running, but I LOVE racing, so when I pay more than I have for any other race/party this year, I’m understandably upset when I find out that my awesome time wasn’t the result of better training, but instead of faulty course measurement (I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt that it was an accident….) I get that this is a fun run and most people are just out to see everyone’s costume. Some of us still like to race though…especially with a party that went downhill from last year but up in price….

Original Post:

My costume: I ran as my boss, who last year ran as….a runner. I wore exactly what he did, including putting my race number on my stomach (as opposed to my shorts where I normally wear it). Really lame I know, especially compared to last year, I couldn’t top Michael Phelps so I didn’t try. Now I have the bar set really low for next year….

Luckily most people put some serious effort into this:

Yo, the Reggae Run was at the beginning of the month....

Weak, I know

Warm up jog

Potential front runners waiting for the gun

The Start/Finish Line

I forgot the absolute insanity that is the start of this run. Pure madness; Batman is behind you and next thing you know you’re getting passed by a banana.

Next thing I know we’re in the darkness of the cemetery, I throw in my headphones and start crankin’ away.

Then I got passed by a ballerina…..

We were still pretty far up in the pack though, as evidenced by the amount of people pouring into the cemetery as we exited.

This sucker has a torturous uphill for the last mile or so, but the final .2 is good downhill and I really kicked it in to gear. As I approached the finish line and saw 20:05 on the clock I started really churning with the knowledge this would be the fastest 5K I had ever run by a long shot. Sure enough I crossed at 20:16, 44 seconds faster than my previous record.

Then it was time for the party!

My favorite post race meal

All in all: pretty good times. The party is nowhere near as awesome as the Reggae Run because there is A) not enough food B) not enough beer stations C) The Ark Band isn’t playing. But it’s for a great cause (benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) and I ran the shit out of it! What more can you ask for.

I shaved 1:13 off my time last year, which I thought was pretty incredible until I remembered that this time last year was about 6 weeks after I had my appendix taken out. Still, there were points on that course I thought ‘Man I am dragging ass,’ only to cross the finish line well before I thought I would.

It probably helped that Doug was on my ass the whole time…this is the first race I’ve known someone at the starting line who was running at the same pace with me. See you at Run Like Hell Doug….

Like last year it was misty, but it cleared up for the race itself, and then cooled us off at the party. Although I remember being a bit warmer at the party last year. But hey, there’s plenty of food to warm yourself up with!

Goetta sliders have become my favorite post race food. I first had them last year at this very race, and then again this year at the Fox and Hounds 5k. Good and good for you….

Not to be confined to simply goetta on a bun, I ate myself stupid. The final tally came out like this: 3 Goetta sliders, 1 pulled chicken sandwich, 1 cheeseburger, 1 cup of jambalaya, 2 chicken wings, 1 salad, 1 granola bar, and because all that wasn’t enough, one chocolate cupcake.

And a bunch of bud light….good thing I just hauled ass on what might be the toughest 5k course in Cincy…..

The Ark Band kept people dancing like they always do, and most people seemed to have a great time with no mind being paid to the weather.

And everyone wants a pic with everyone else’s goofy hats!

One last thing that is so awesome about this run…..it always gets me back in touch with one of my favorite Reggae/Roots/Dub/Soul/whatever-you-call-a-7-piece-band-out-of New-Zealand….Fat Freddy’s Drop. Works for both pre and post race pump up and cool down…and general good times. Wandering Eye put them on the map back in 2005, but they already had a huge international following from putting on amazing live shows.

Midnight Marauders

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JBztXpMSgE

Wandering Eye

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCJg63SziL4

Read my post on last year.

As my tires spun down race street a glow in the corner of my eye caught my attention…..the Rose window at Music Hall was lit up.

Music Hall looms over Washington Park, its presence unavoidable during the day. But at night it’s not as domineering, no plethora of light cascading the facade. To see this bright circle hanging low in the sky was pretty cool.

These pictures don’t do it justice….this was a pretty awesome sight. I’ve heard stories that you can actually climb up inside music hall to that window and look out over the park. I imagine if you had done something like that, seeing this would be even cooler and have a little more meaning…..

I snapped photos as best I could and continued riding.

Roebling bridge was cool, QCS was all lit up….but those are always there. Not sure how often I’ll get that view of Music Hall….

We got a nice little send off from the Mayor and one of the YPKC guys who was leading the ride.

Parting words said, we headed towards the river first, smart move as there were a number of people who were going to bail after downtown because of “The Hill.”

Did I mention there was a dude riding with a bird on his shoulder?

We hit the stadium just as the Reds game was letting out, and the frowns told us the outcome (although I asked anyway).

We had trouble keeping the group together through the traffic lights, but it was a leisurely cruise, so no one was stressing about it. We waited, people caught up, all was well. Until we hit the light at 6th street, half of us making it and half left behind. Naturally I took that opportunity to start hopping around on my bike a la this or this.

All of a sudden I hear *PING* and my tire is rubbing on my frame.

Must have knocked the hub out of the chainstay, no worries, I can pop that back in.

But wait, it’s in there just fine, why is this thing off center?

No, go ahead guys, I’ll fix this real quick and catch up…..

Or not.

Cracked a weld on the left chainstay, and a piece of the linkage above it……Shit…….only one thing left to do…..I went to Arnold’s and grabbed a beer.

So RIP Jamis Dakar XC Pro….you served me well for about 18 months, and while you will be parted out for my next ride, the good times we had together will not be forgotten.

I got off work and walked home, debating at the last minute whether I was really going to pay $35 (pretty steep for a 5k) to run across a bridge I hit all the time (Editor’s note: those who know me personally are familiar with my ability to waffle on any decision until the last minute, so this is normal behavior). In the end my screw-it-you-only-live-once attitude kicked in and I hopped on my bike to ride over to Newport and register.

Riding east down Central Pkwy

These are the days where Cincy weather is awesome; blue sky, a little breeze, humidity below choking level…

I locked up my ride and went down to the registration table where I was hit with a blast from the past….scantron sheets…damn bubbles…but whatever it takes to get instant timing results…

After I registered I started the warm up process, which naturally included taking pictures of QCS…

The pre registered crowd was a little thin, but about 5 minutes after I got all set up it seemed like runners were coming out of the woodwork. I guess, like myself, this was a spur of the moment call for many of the foxes and hounds.

Let me speak about the format a little bit more. If you’ve ever seen me at a race, you know I like to start in the front of the pack. I know I’m not going to win (or even come close) but I hate fighting my way through a crowd. Plus, if you are in front and people are passing you it’s just more motivation to run harder. Doubt crept into my mind as I thought of all the foxes, including the walkers, who would have a 5 minute head start. Here I was for a flat course I thought I could break my PR on, a goal now in jeopardy due to potential bottlenecking (other than the bridge this was not a wide course).

It turned out just fine. By the time they released the hounds the foxes were spread out enough, and most of the laggers stayed to the right to allow the speedier of us to breeze by. In fact, I was (by my standards) flying, as I passed mile marker 1 in 6:26 and mile 2 at 13:00. I was pumped, at that pace I would surely break my 21:00 5k PR.

Somewhere during mile 3 the switch flipped the wrong way, and by the time we made the turn to head back up the Purple People bridge I was slacking. 100 yards from the finish line I couldn’t find that extra gear I kick it into at the end of races. I tried, but my mind was focused on not throwing up. I finished at 21:56, and while I thought I could do better, I remembered staying up until 3 am the night before, and moving furniture for 2 hours that day…not exactly good race prep, so I relaxed and went looking for water.

A welcome surprise, I ran into Liz and her friends and we chatted for a while by the timing board. I glanced over, the list of the top 25 men scrolling across the blue screen. If you were lucky enough to be in that group you won a “Fox and Hounds 5k” etched pint glass. And there it was, my name at number 25…I smiled, all of a sudden happy and not caring about my time. It was good enough for a glass, and that was good enough for me!

Liz and I post race

Did I mention they had goetta sliders and orange sherbet for us to munch on? Our race bibs also had 2 drink tickets stapled to them…I’m pretty sure post race parties are now a requirement for me to take part in events…

3 sliders, 2 beers, 1 sorbet cup and a bunch of laughs later it was time to pedal back home, albeit with one more shot of the Queen City’s new gem.

For the first annual Fox and Hounds 5k I thought the organizers pulled it off pretty well. Everything went down as advertised, and if I have one gripe it would be that I can’t find the results online. But they had them there at the race, so who cares. Plus, I love the ability to ride my bike to events like this. Suck it suburbs. I can’t wait for next year!

Update: someone was kind enough to point me to the results–thanks!

It’s amazing what one good race can do for your confidence. I thought I might have lost a step or two after taking so much time off from actual distance running. I guess the last 8 weeks of pick up soccer have really paid off though, because I kicked ass on that hill. I’m sure all my biking didn’t hurt either….

Only three ways to get faster: Hills, Steps, and Sprints…and I love ‘em all.

It was also a pleasure to have my Dad out for the weekend….never underestimate the power of family at a race. It was like being a kid all over again, stomping on home plate and running back to the dugout to get a high five from Coach (especially since my Dad was our baseball coach).

You can tell this is pre race because I still have a shirt on

Coach and I

About to head out for a warm up run

Waiting...

Waiting....

Go!

21:22 later...didn't want to keep Dad waiting too long....

Tired and smiling, a great feeling

I hear the minerals in beer are good for you after a run....

Congrats to everyone who ran, I hope you had as much fun as I did! And a special heartfelt thanks to Pops for not being too put off that I want to go run a race right after he drove 8 hours to see me. Besides, I think he had enough fun at the after party to make it worthwhile.

I really miss running. It feels like I never got back into it after I hurt my knee running the mason mini marathon last November. From January of last year up until I had my appendix removed at the end of August, I was kicking ass and taking names. I lost close to 30 lbs (most of which has stayed off). But more than anything, I just felt good.

So to those running the race this Friday, HAVE FUN! I hope to join you for every awesome step of that 3.1 mile route around downtown (the fact it’s not a morning race is great too).

Looking back on 2009:

Pre-race shot: Go OTR 5k

Stretching before the downtown Tri

Crossing the Tri finish line....the closest I've coming to throwing up at the end of a race

Mid-race at the Reggae Run

Run Like Hell...as Michael Phelps

I hope the Downtown Dash can be my triumphant return to road racing for 2010!

Besides Race St, work, and some casual social outings (like Monday night pick-up soccer) I don’t have much else going on. Desperate to stay in some sort of shape, I’ve been getting on my bike at least twice a week. Due to the nature of the above schedule I’m pretty much confined to night time rides (the fact that it’s a million degrees out doesn’t hurt either).

I already ride around with a backpack, and I’m thinking a little tripod might be in my future, because finding ledges and things to use as a stabilizer can be difficult, especially when I need a specific angle to try and shoot, say, a new skyscraper.

By that last sentence you’d think I was an actual photographer with something other than my little Point and Shoot. I’m not….

After running home to change I started my journey by heading back up to OTR before sprinting down Race St to the river.

Over-The-Rhine fascinates me even more than it did 3 years ago when I moved here. Majestic Music Hall sitting right across from boarded up treasures labeled with the plight of the neighborhood.

Moving on….

It’s always a nice cruise down race (or walnut) from OTR to Downtown. Once you cross central parkway the lights time up, almost egging you on to pedal faster and hit the river without stopping. Although sometimes I loop around 5chw4r7z’s so I can get a view of QCS.

Being close to the river feels good. Sure, it’s not the cleanest body of water out there, but I did swim in it and live….so I like cruising down to Friendship Park and the Serpentine Wall. I guess the sun knew it was the reason I was out and about…it certainly caught my eye on the south shore….

When I’m that close I always ride over to NKY and back. Something about crossing state lines make any workout seem that much more badass.

Returning to the other side of the river I always face a dilemma: do I ride back through downtown, or torture myself on some hills in Mt. Adams?

Yeah, the hills normally win.

When it really started to get dark I kept my camera in my pocket and just rode. I put my headphones on to drown out the world and got lost in endless pedal strokes. It felt good to just zone out for a while and wear myself down.

The last rays of sun had set and the sky was growing darker by the minute as I cranked down Reading Rd. Living so close to Neon’s can be a great thing, and that night it seemed appropriate to just show up on my bike as opposed to going home and showering first. I ran into a couple of friends (oh neighborhood bar, how I love thee) and enjoyed a pint (or two) before we all remembered it was a school night.

A little break and a few beers can do great things though, and I wasn’t ready to pack it in yet. I know it’s closed, but frankly I just felt like going to hang on the Serpentine Wall…so I did.

One reason not to hang out there at night (besides the fact you will be asked to leave pretty quickly) are the crazy looking bugs that swarm the light poles.

With creepy bug pictures under my belt (was that really necessary, prolly not) and security in my ear, it was time to pack it in for the night. With a gentle ride up Eggleston I was home, completely content with my summer solstice ride.

Once again we met in front of Park+Vine at 12:30 on a bright Saturday afternoon. This year Reser had some shirts (rolled as bike tires) sitting on the check in table, and I had a little fun waiting for everyone to check in and pump up.

The OTR/Gateway Summer Celebration was taking place right up the block, and had I not been working on Race St I would have run the 5k and partied a bit before our food trek. Instead I caught a glimpse of the action as ~50 of us pulled away from P+V.

We cruised up Vine St through the heart of OTR (and past the park that will be my new backyard) on our way to Take The Cake in Northside. I’ve heard so many great things about TtC that I was a bit embarrassed I had never been there before.

My garage is on the other side of the park

The cruise to Northside was a good 5 miler, enough to work up a sweat, only to have it cooled by TtC’s awesome Gazpacho. Which then heated you back up with its spicy kick!

I may have purchased a brownie as well...

Not an official stop, but right next door was Cluxton Alley Coffee roasters. I’m not a coffee guy, but I poked my head in with a few other people to check it out.

Back on our rides we pedaled the longest single length of our journey, a 10 mile and at times not-so-flat (hey it’s Cincy) route over to Pleasant Ridge to Loving Cafe. The only repeat so far in the B+D series, they changed up from the veggie rolls and peanuts sauce we got last time (which was awesome) and went with fresh fruit and a salad, accompanied by two phenomenal homemade dressings.

With only six miles left to cover two stops, we took a short cruise over to Lucky John Slow Food where we filed through a buffet of pasta and vegan pizza awesomeness.

Seeking shade

After a nice boost of energy from all those carbs most people cruised (and some of us hauled ass) through Eden Park into Mt. Adams to The Rookwood. They served up some awesome chocolate on chocolate dessert and some “Yellow Bicycles” which were something, something, St. Germain and Proseco.

Each Bike+Dine has been a different experience for me, so I can’t say any one was better than the other. They have all been a blast though, and I can’t wait for the fall 2010 ride.

Turning+Sneezing....now that's talent

A little help from the popo in walnut hills

Cheers!

I was out riding without music, which leaves my head a little clearer to think about stuff (namely, how the hell am I going to rebuild the interior of a house!!!). It was a good time for reflection…which I then started taking literally.

I cruised up into OTR from downtown, figuring the sun was right to get some shots of the detail on my new place.

Right up the street is Rookwood Pottery, who was hosting the first tapping of Christian Moerlein IPA.

At the end of Race St lies a pretty cool church, with an iconic hand pointed towards the sky.

I then rode back down to the riverfront to meet up with the Thursday Night Slow Ride, a member of which informed me they would be at The Banks in 5 minutes. I beat them there, and snapped some photos of Roebling Bridge during the painting.

This was right below the stairway from the bridge down to the street.

The Banks.

I found the group, and we actually rode through the painting tarps on the suspension bridge. It’s not the first time I’ve ridden across the bridge during construction.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky-jtmdzBxI

We then cruised from Covington to Newport, and then back to Fountain Square. Oh yeah, and we found the Girls Gone Wild bus down by the Levee.

I know it’s a shitty picture, but it’s true. Life. Happens. Here. At least my life.

Bockfest was roaring the whole time, aided by the phenomenal weather we had. Which means one of two things as far as your Monday is concerned, either A) You, like me, had such a good time all weekend, that it’s hard to be anything other than happy today or B) you had a great time, but that simply adds to the depression you’re feeling now that you’re back on the grind.

I enjoyed Bockfest a lot, and I’ll post about it more tomorrow, but the highlight of the weekend for me was the 11 mile bike ride I went on Sunday, hitting Downtown, OTR, Newport, Mt. Adams, and Eden Park, all the while snapping pictures.

My first stop was The Banks/QCS to get a few photos of the ongoing construction.

Next I rode over to Newport to stop in Reser bikes for a little air (and because I love saying I went riding in a couple states).

Then it was back to the Ohio side to tackle Mt. Adams and Eden Park

Music Hall and the heart of OTR as seen from the Ida St. Bridge

Then it was back downtown for a few more QCS shots.

The remnants of a great season of ice skating

I hope you were able to go out an enjoy the great weather like I did!

Yeah, it was a nice try.

See, the thought in my head was to use all this stair climbing as a way to gain strength and recover from a rather annoying knee injury. Instead, a minimum 400-600 stairs a day was never allowing any rest for my knees, and it was aggravating the issue (I know there are people in NY [not that people in NY read this site] that are laughing at me because they live in an 8th story walk up…whatever, blow me). So I made it a month, and for the last 15 days I have used the elevator as I normally would.

And I’ll be damned if my knee doesn’t already feel better.

Will I give it another shot? Probably not, but I may get back to taking the steps up to my office. I will certainly be taking advantage of the open stadium policy UC has at Nippert, and I plan on hiking Carew Tower and QCS at least once. But in between those episodes of stair madness, I will just be another dude on the elevator.

Still, that much of a failure (<—-notice the “ure” at the end, that is how this word is normally used, I know many of you have forgotten this basic principle) is giving me a case of the monday’s this morning.

This week, when I had the chance to climb high on two skyscapers and had to pass, I felt pretty bad about the whole thing.

It started when my boss and I drove to Dayton to look at expanding our business to the north. We went to the 12 story administrative building on Third St, discussing our course of action as we passed through the above ground tunnel from the parking garage to the building lobby. I didn’t think twice as he called the elevator, and we continued our banter as we entered the cab. The doors closed and a look of panic washed over my face as I said “Oh shit!” My boss, realizing the situation, simply laughed as we rode up 3 stories.

I managed to walk between floors after that, still disappointed in myself for taking that first ride. When we hit the lobby again, my boss asked a question which could only be answered by someone on the 10th floor. I gazed at him with the why-are-we-just-thinking-about-this-now look, and he knew I was about to break for the stairs. He replied to my nonverbal communication with “You can’t be out of breath when we walk into that office, just make it up later.” Not worth the argument, or having to wait outside an office to catch my breath, I agreed, and we ascended ten floors with the push of a button.

At this point I owed myself 13 flights of stairs.

Then two days ago we were wrapping things up in the office and I had to take some things over to 3CDC, located on the 14th floor of the Kroger building. It was already past five o’clock, and I wasn’t sure anyone would be in their office. As I walked along court street I wrestled with the stairs vs. elevator argument. My delivery couldn’t wait until the next day, and I heard my boss’ voice in my head “Just make it up later.” I succumbed to the ‘vator.

Now I was up to 27 flights of stairs.

Last night I was thinking about the make-up stairs, and frankly 27 flights seemed like a lot. To make that up in my building was going to mean hiking top to bottom over four times. While there wasn’t going to be that much time involved in executing those stair climbs, the thought of simply walking up and down the steps wasn’t all that appealing. Instead I decided to mix it in with a workout routine. I went down to our “gym” (one room with a few machines and some free weights) and started on one of my weight training circuits I’ve put together. In between sets however, I ran up the steps to the top floor and jogged back down, all in an effort to knock out some of my make-up stairs.

It was actually a great feeling to be worn out from lifting weights only to will my body upwards in the building. It kept my heart rate up when I would normally be taking a sip of water and relaxing before my next set of weights. Instead my trip back down the stairs worked as my cool down, and I was still ready to go into my next circuit.

I’ve still missed all my opportunities to climb anything over six stories thus far. But I discovered another facet of training to work into my routine, and I think that’s well worth it. Not to mention I’ve still climbed almost 10,000 stairs so far this year.

And I still can’t wait to get back to my stadium workouts this summer.