Run #30 - The "Climb the Carew" event

I had a glimpse of what hell must be like today...

We had our annual Mardi Gras Party last night, which was small but awesome. There was lots of great food and a few beverages around. I worked to not over indulge in drinking, but did eat a little more than I planned.

I got up this morning and darned my running gear, got my bag together and headed towards the Crew Tower as Laurel and the kids headed for church. When I got downtown and registered, there were lots of people walking around, stretching and getting ready for the event. I talked to ta guy who told me, "Take an easy walking pace and stick to it. The guys that run it are usually passed out by the 10th floor. If you make to 10 and are doing OK, you'll make it." That sounded like good advice, but I am training for a marathon and this is only climbing stairs, how hard can it be.

They lined us up in the shoot and sent a person into the stairwell every 10 seconds. When I hit the stairs, I started out slower than I was planning on going, better safe than sorry but still at a slight jog. By the 10th floor I had slowed to a walk and was breathing heavy. By floor 20, my breathes felt like sandpaper in my throat. The last 7 flights were what I mean by "a glimpse of hell." When i reached the top, my legs felt fine, but lungs were totally spent. I was wheezing and straightened up long enough to get my medal and then was bent over again gasping for air.

My best guess at my time was around 9 minutes and 30 seconds, which was slower than I wanted, but I made it and passed a couple people in the process. However there were 3 people that passed me along the way. I must be either a masochist or have brain damage, because I have signed up to do this insane thing again next year!!!!

I am home recovering. Physically I feel great, but my lungs are still raw. I have a cough that feels like someone is using a wire brush to clean the insides of my lungs. Fortunately tomorrow is a cross training day, which I may take as a rest day. Ibuprofen has been my friend today.

Blog at you soon...

Peace,

Philippians 4:13