Hustle Up the Hancock!
Ok, so after 4 years, I forget to sign-up and this year I'm stuck doing the half. I was done in 12:18 for 52 floors. Totally sucking wind with a 'smokers' cough now, but the time was about what I expected. The medal was beautiful!
The drawback? Standing in the elevator line for 2 hours to get down. Seriously? There's gotta be a better way. Come on, organizers...fix it! The line situation gets worse every year!
Showing posts with label stair climb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stair climb. Show all posts
Sunday
February 22, 2009
Today marked my third climbing of the Hustle Up the Hancock. That means, of course, that Jack has been smoke free for 2 years. (Mom, you can send a care package to thank me any time.)
I thought that Melissa was going to climb it with me, but it turns out that she was unable to get a trade at work. I asked around to see if anyone wanted to take her bib for the climb. Finding no one, I decided that the bib should not go to waste…so I climbed it twice.
Crazy? Maybe. Not allowed (I got busted by one of the coordinators who recognized me—no worries, she just made me promise not to do it again.) Awesome? HELL YEAH!!
I wasn’t sure going in, if I’d actually be able to finish. I didn’t push myself through the first climb, knowing I’d go for a second round. I completed the first climb under my bib in 25:14. And that, my friends, is a PR!!! My second attempt was also taking it easy. I finished the second attempt in 26:09...not too shabby! I don’t think I’ll attempt a double climb again, but I’m glad that I did!
And for the record, that’s a total of 188 floors and 3,264 steps.
I thought that Melissa was going to climb it with me, but it turns out that she was unable to get a trade at work. I asked around to see if anyone wanted to take her bib for the climb. Finding no one, I decided that the bib should not go to waste…so I climbed it twice.
Crazy? Maybe. Not allowed (I got busted by one of the coordinators who recognized me—no worries, she just made me promise not to do it again.) Awesome? HELL YEAH!!
I wasn’t sure going in, if I’d actually be able to finish. I didn’t push myself through the first climb, knowing I’d go for a second round. I completed the first climb under my bib in 25:14. And that, my friends, is a PR!!! My second attempt was also taking it easy. I finished the second attempt in 26:09...not too shabby! I don’t think I’ll attempt a double climb again, but I’m glad that I did!
And for the record, that’s a total of 188 floors and 3,264 steps.
November 9, 2008
Go Vertical!
Today was the go Vertical Challenge. I still have that chest cold, but I decided that I'm climbing for people with cancer, I can suck it up and get it done. And that's exactly what happened, I sucked. I was slow, I felt like crap, but I finished--I guess that's what matters. Final time 47:19--10 minutes slower than last year, but then again last year I didn't feel like OIA. Here's a pic of me at the top when I finished.
I also saw Peter at the climb (Thanks for the pic!)! He's totally my stair climbing buddy...We always see each other at these climbs. We're thinking of starting a team for the Aon Climb benefiting Children's Memorial. If you're interested in being on our team, let me know!!
Today was the go Vertical Challenge. I still have that chest cold, but I decided that I'm climbing for people with cancer, I can suck it up and get it done. And that's exactly what happened, I sucked. I was slow, I felt like crap, but I finished--I guess that's what matters. Final time 47:19--10 minutes slower than last year, but then again last year I didn't feel like OIA. Here's a pic of me at the top when I finished.
I also saw Peter at the climb (Thanks for the pic!)! He's totally my stair climbing buddy...We always see each other at these climbs. We're thinking of starting a team for the Aon Climb benefiting Children's Memorial. If you're interested in being on our team, let me know!!
February 24, 2008
Do the Hustle!
Today I finished my 2nd Hustle Up the Hancock. I did it in 27:09, almost 4 minutes faster than last year. Next year, I need to be under 25 minutes. It's amazing how far I've come in the past year, I can't believe how much the Hancock has changed my life. All the running and races and now I'm training for a full marathon. A year ago, I never thought I'd be where I am today.
I also did a lung function test, apparently I have lungs that are 75% of what is expected of someone my age and size. I guess my smaller lungs don't help, but it certianly explains a lot. It was recomened that I do a lung capacity test.
I've been running into other climbers... they're so fun! When you see the same people at at the same events over and over, it's nice to learn their names. And bonding over pain is always easy!
My foot is still sore, I'm glad that I didn't run much this week, but I hope that it starts to feel better soon, I don't want to fall behind in training.
Today I finished my 2nd Hustle Up the Hancock. I did it in 27:09, almost 4 minutes faster than last year. Next year, I need to be under 25 minutes. It's amazing how far I've come in the past year, I can't believe how much the Hancock has changed my life. All the running and races and now I'm training for a full marathon. A year ago, I never thought I'd be where I am today.
I also did a lung function test, apparently I have lungs that are 75% of what is expected of someone my age and size. I guess my smaller lungs don't help, but it certianly explains a lot. It was recomened that I do a lung capacity test.
I've been running into other climbers... they're so fun! When you see the same people at at the same events over and over, it's nice to learn their names. And bonding over pain is always easy!
My foot is still sore, I'm glad that I didn't run much this week, but I hope that it starts to feel better soon, I don't want to fall behind in training.
February 10, 2008
Tackle the Tower--Oakbrook Terrace Tower: ULTIMATE CLIMB!!! 31 floors, 3 times.
So what if I had a major asthma attack and needed the paramedics. Seriously...thank you Oakbrook Fire Department. (But I am really pissed off that it happened--I HATE MY LUNGS!! Stupid oxygen dependence.)
But, I finished the climb...3 times (with the attack at the 28th floor on the third time...grrr)
I came in 70th (out of 77--I know, lame!!) with splits of 7:56; 8:45; and 8:37 with a total time of 25:17.
So what if I had a major asthma attack and needed the paramedics. Seriously...thank you Oakbrook Fire Department. (But I am really pissed off that it happened--I HATE MY LUNGS!! Stupid oxygen dependence.)
But, I finished the climb...3 times (with the attack at the 28th floor on the third time...grrr)
I came in 70th (out of 77--I know, lame!!) with splits of 7:56; 8:45; and 8:37 with a total time of 25:17.
January 27, 2008
Today was the Aon Step-up for the Kids climb. It took place in the Aon Building (or the Standard Oil Building, for all of you that are old school like that). It's actually the second tallest climb in the United States in terms of stairs with a total of 1,643 in 80 floors.
I was pretty pumped about it...until my inhailer ran out of medicine around floor 40. That definatley sucked, but I just slowed down and finished. Probably slower than I would have liked, but I did finish.
My time was 27:57, which is much faster than I did the Hancock last year. If I had my inhailer I probably could have done better. I'm clearly feeling competitive with myself and am going to be wanting to shave off a couple of minutes for the Hancock! :) I was 588 for women 1534/2061 overall, and 207/287 for my age group. Not totally embarssing, but not my best perfomance either. So, what did I learn from this event? Check your inhailer BEFORE you go!
While I was waiting in line, I started talking with two other climbers, Ken and Sandy. (Because climbers are friendly people--and let me tell you, the guy behind Ken and Sandy was HOT!!--Seriously--Awesome shoulders, amazing eyes, when he passed me nice butt--I love the scenery on stair climbs!!) Anywho, Sandy and Ken asked about my inhailer and prior climbing participation and such...ya know, small talk. I realized that a year ago today, I hadn't even completed my first climb. I'd never run a race. Hell, I'd never run a distance over 2 miles. My first race ever, was last April, and now exactly one year and one week later, I'll run my first marathon. I never fathomed I could do that. If something was 26.2 miles away, I'd drive...and even then I'd crab about how far away it was!! I can't believe how much I've changed in the last year. It all started to prove to myself that I could do it and to get Jack to quit smoking. Now, I breath easier, I run farther and I'm much stronger. The Hancock really did change my life...and I did it one step at a time.
I was pretty pumped about it...until my inhailer ran out of medicine around floor 40. That definatley sucked, but I just slowed down and finished. Probably slower than I would have liked, but I did finish.
My time was 27:57, which is much faster than I did the Hancock last year. If I had my inhailer I probably could have done better. I'm clearly feeling competitive with myself and am going to be wanting to shave off a couple of minutes for the Hancock! :) I was 588 for women 1534/2061 overall, and 207/287 for my age group. Not totally embarssing, but not my best perfomance either. So, what did I learn from this event? Check your inhailer BEFORE you go!
While I was waiting in line, I started talking with two other climbers, Ken and Sandy. (Because climbers are friendly people--and let me tell you, the guy behind Ken and Sandy was HOT!!--Seriously--Awesome shoulders, amazing eyes, when he passed me nice butt--I love the scenery on stair climbs!!) Anywho, Sandy and Ken asked about my inhailer and prior climbing participation and such...ya know, small talk. I realized that a year ago today, I hadn't even completed my first climb. I'd never run a race. Hell, I'd never run a distance over 2 miles. My first race ever, was last April, and now exactly one year and one week later, I'll run my first marathon. I never fathomed I could do that. If something was 26.2 miles away, I'd drive...and even then I'd crab about how far away it was!! I can't believe how much I've changed in the last year. It all started to prove to myself that I could do it and to get Jack to quit smoking. Now, I breath easier, I run farther and I'm much stronger. The Hancock really did change my life...and I did it one step at a time.
November 11, 2007
Today was the Sears Tower Climb. I started waaaay to slow. Final time: 37:08. That totally sucks ass. I wanted to be about at the 1/2 hour mark, not closer to 40 minutes. Next year WILL be faster. I promise!!
The good news? I got a new medal--oh yeah!! I *heart* hardware!!
The good news? I got a new medal--oh yeah!! I *heart* hardware!!
February 25, 2007
Do The Hustle!!
Here I am starting strong....
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And 95 floors later...
Here I am starting strong....
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And 95 floors later...
Finished the climb in just over a half hour...next year--my goal is to do it in under the half hour mark!
I've officially got the bug for more hardware!!
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