Stair Master, The Sequel

In last Monday night's blog, I mentioned that earlier that day, I had challenged myself to climbing the stairs at my job for 15 minutes non-stop... just to see if I could. In that time, I completed 40 flights of stairs (up and down). Feeling pretty impressed with myself, I went on to do the same thing later that afternoon, finishing another 40 flights in 14 minutes and 40 seconds.

In total, I ascended and descended a total of 80 flights of stairs that day. I had no idea I was capable of that! It was not easy, but I did it.

What I never had a chance to share with you was that I was in *extreme discomfort* for a full 3 days after this feat. For a full 72 hours after that, my calves hurt and the muscles around my knees hurt. This told me two things:

1- I must never use these muscles. At least not as much as I did on that day.
2- I really should have stretched before and after. At the time, it didn't occur to me to stretch before walking up and down stairs - something I do every day of my life - but I had never walked that many stairs in a single day.

So... live and learn.

As silly as it may sound, that was probably the toughest workout of my life. It was far more exhausting and challenging than any cardio class, cardio machine or biking I have ever done. Even the 50+ miles I rode during the 5 Boro was nothing compared to that half hour on the stairs.

Despite the three days I suffered after the first 'stair challenge', I wanted to do it again.

I did it for the second time this week, on Tuesday. I broke it up the same way - 40 flights in the late morning, 40 flights in the late afternoon.

This time I stretched before and after each session. I also ate half a banana at the end of each session. I'm pleased to say I did it in less time than last week, shaving more than a minute off each time! Also, the stretching and/or banana must have worked because I only felt a tiny bit sore around my knees, but otherwise I was fine. (As opposed to the first time I did it, when my calves were so tight for 3 days, I could barely get out of bed; not to mention walking up *or down* the stairs was excruciating!)

So I learned my lesson - stretch before and after, and have some potassium when I'm done.

With my new plan in place, I'm going to tackle those stairs weekly, keep track of my time, and marvel at my progress. I'll continue to challenge myself, trying to beat my best times and eventually increasing the number of flights.

I wonder if the Empire State Building would ever consider a non-race climb up their 86 flights. Because I will likely never be *invited* to participate in their annual race-up, but I would love to be able to say I climbed from the ground floor to their stunning observation deck, no matter how long it took me.

I love the Empire State Building!

view from outside, looking up-

in the lobby-

on the observation deck, looking up at the needle -