I left the hotel about one hour and forty minutes before my scheduled time.  It took me about forty minutes to walk about 1.5 miles to the Wachovia Bank building.  I quickly registered and waited for my start time.

As I waited, I caught up with a few people I have not seen in a while.  There was also food and entertainment.  I was able to get some cold water to make sure I was well-hydrated for the climb.

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When my start time approached, I lined up with the other climbers.  We were carefully spaced out, so climbers were not piled on top of each other. I waited patiently for my turn.

When I was given the signal, I started quickly.  I skipped steps, and I made it up a few flights of stairs fairly quickly.  Then, it was like hitting a brick wall.  I just could not keep that pace. 

So, I resorted to very methodically and steadily taking one step at a time.  I could not do it continously.  I had to pause at various times throughout the journey to the top.

When I paused, I could feel my heart racing.  My body was getting quite a workout.  I soon realized that I should not just stop climbing.  Instead, I needed to keep moving, just at a slower pace (i.e., I’d walk back and forth on the landing before climbing again).

During the whole climb, I kept checking my progress.  At the eleventh floor, I knew I had finished 20% of my goal.  At the 22nd floor, I knew I had finished 40% of my goal.  It kept my mind busy.  The more I accomplished, the better I felt.

When I finally made it to the top, about 20 minutes after I started, I was given a bottle of water and promptly drank it.  It took a few minutes for me to get my heart rate down, but I eventually was able to enjoy my accomplishment.

After I made it back down to ground-level, I was able to enjoy some delicious foods from healthy wraps to frozen yogurt to cheese danish.  It was more calories than I burned, but I think I deserved it.

When I left the event area, I walked the 1.5 miles back to the hotel.  It was a beautiful day in Miami.

Breakfast:  Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon; Potatoes

Morning Snack:  various treats

Lunch:  Chinese food

Dinner:  Seafood Masaman Curry

Dessert:  Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream

Exercise:  walked 3 miles and climbed 1,210 steps.

I started off with a weekly training plan.  I started going to the gym on Saturday morning to climb stairs on the stepper for twenty minutes.  It was difficult.

I decided to increase the training plan to two times per week.  I made it one day during the week, but I think that happened only once.  I just was not that motivated to get to the gym that early in the morning.

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As the event got closer, I decided I needed to step up the training plan, and I had planned to go to the gym for the two weeks before “Climb Miami”.  I think I went just one day. 

Whether or not I think I am prepared for the event, I know I will finish.  I will push my body, and I will be successful.

To ensure I will get to the event on time, I am actually staying in Miami tonight.  I didn’t go through the effort to find a hotel with a refrigerator and oven.  So, I am relying on restaurants for my meals.  I had a submarine sandwich and some sushi for dinner.

Have you participated in a physical event such as “Climb Miami”?  How did you do?  What did you learn?

Breakfast:  Cranberry Orange Pastry; Cottage Cheese, 1% Fat; Pineapple, fresh; Bread, whole-wheat; Morning Coffee

Morning Snack:  Ham, low-fat; Mandarin Oranges

Lunch:  Pasta with Beef; Cabbage, raw; FF Dressing

Afternoon Snack:  Cheese Puffs

Dinner:  Subway Club; Sushi

Drinks:  Crystal Light; diet soda

Exercise:  none today.

Pedometer:  ?

I think the shock of returning to work after a week off made me too tired to get out of bed this morning.  It is much easier to transition into a week-long vacation than it is to return back to work after a week off.  Very abrupt!

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So, my new training plan has me going to the gym tomorrow morning and Friday morning.  I’ll also go on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Next week’s plan has yet to be determined.

I guess I am spoiled by having gym equipment in my home.  I am so turned off by having to get ready for the gym.  I don’t like driving there.  I wish I didn’t have to see strangers that early in the morning.  I much rather just go to another room to exercise.

At one point in time, I felt it was absolutely necessary to have a recumbent bike at home.  I couldn’t imagine any other scenario where I could actually exercise.  Going to the gym was out.  Walking didn’t seem feasible.  The recumbent bike made the most sense, but I digress.

I am focused on “Climb Miami” now.  I will train for the event, and I will do my best.  I don’t expect to break any records, but I will feel a great sense of accomplishment for both the physical activity and the money I raise for American Lung Association.

Breakfast:  Apple Strudel Bar; Egg; Banana; Morning Coffee; Cracker, Honeymaid Graham Crackers (Nabisco) ,Low Fat Honey

Morning Snack:  Chicken Breast; Banana

Lunch:  Chicken Noodle Soup; Cucumber; FF Dressing

Afternoon Snack:  BBQ Soy Chips

Dinner:  Mushroom Gravy with Rice and Salisbury Steak; Artichoke (Globe or French); Mandarin Oranges; Oil, canola, olive, peanut, safflower; Pasta, cooked al dente

Dessert:  Fudge Brownie

Drinks:  Crystal Light

Exercise:  none.  See above.

Pedometer:  ?

So, this morning, I woke up at 4:30am, and I was in the gym at 5am on the stepper.  My goal is to go to the gym Monday through Friday all this week and next.  By the time the event rolls around, I hope to make the “climb” with ease.

Once I am in the gym, I aim to step for a full twenty minutes.  I initially started at 75 steps per minute, but I lowered the level to 67 steps per minute.  I need to make the training easier before I make it more difficult.

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I am still amazed how much of a workout I get from the stepper.  I thought I would be well-prepared after riding the recumbent bike for 30 minutes per day at least four days a week.  The stepper is a whole different animal.

After about ten minutes, I was really out of breath, and I had to stop to get some water.  Within less than a minute, I was back on the stepper.  I went a few more minutes, and I took another break. 

I will be glad when the training is over.  I have gotten used to waking up and exercising in my house.  It’s a lot more effort to get up and go to the gym. 

Since I am finding that the recumbent bike and the stepper are two very different exercises, which exercises do you think are compatible?  Would training on the eliptical machine make the stepper any easier?

Breakfast:  Cinnamon Swirl Granola Bar; Egg; Banana; Cracker, Honeymaid Graham Crackers (Nabisco) ,Low Fat Honey; Morning Coffee

Morning Snack:  Chicken Breast; Banana

Lunch:  Pasta with Beef; Cabbage, raw; FF Dressing

Afternoon Snack:  Cheese Puffs

Dinner:  Roast Turkey Medallions; Mushrooms, canned or cooked; Applesauce, unsweetened; Oil, canola, olive, peanut, safflower; Pasta, cooked al dente

Dessert:  Golden Pound Cake

Drinks:  Crystal Light; water

Exercise:  20 minutes on stair stepper.

Pedometer:  ?

When I got on the stair climber this morning, I set the pace to 75 steps per minute.  At that pace, I would finish the climb in 16 minutes and 8 seconds.  I think that is a pretty good time, but it is far from the record of six minutes.  I still can’t get over that!

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I started out okay at this pace, and I actually maintained the same pace throughout the practice.  However, I did pause a few times.  Each time I paused for about one minute.  I think there were actually five breaks.  I finished the climb in about 21 minutes.

I do believe my practice sessions are very similar to what I’ll experience at “Climb Miami”.  The machine I’m using very closely simulates walking up stairs.  I use the bars to support me, but I will be able to do that in the building as well.  One thing I cannot do on the machine is skip steps.  It just doesn’t move that fast.  I’m not sure I’ll skip steps during the real thing, but it seems likely.

Because I am getting so much of a workout from my practice sessions, I feel like I need to have more sessions.  I initially thought one additional session per week would be enough, but now I am looking into how I can rent a stair climber for two weeks.  I’d much rather have the machine in my house, and it would only be two weeks.

While I figure that out, I’d really like you to consider a donation to the American Lung Association through my donation website at http://www.derekschwandt.com.  Thank you.

Breakfast:  Turkey and Egg Breakfast Sandwich; Egg Whites; Pineapple, fresh; Bread, oatmeal; Morning Coffee

Morning Snack:  Fish, baked or broiled; Raisins

Lunch:  Steak and Cheese Melt; Lettuce, green or red leaf; FF Dressing; Year Round Average Cherry Tomato

Afternoon Snack:  Cheese Puffs

Dinner:  Tender Beef with Portobello Mushrooms; Strawberries; Oil, canola, olive, peanut, safflower; Pasta, cooked al dente; Bok Choy (Dole)

Dessert:  Ice Cream Sandwich

Drinks:  Crystal Light

Exercise:  15 minutes on the stair climber.

Pedometer:  ?

I stepped on the stair climber this morning, and I quickly increased the level until I was moving at 75 steps per minute.  At that pace, I would complete “Climb Miami” in just over sixteen minutes.  I wouldn’t be running, but I would still be moving fast.

As I continued through the “floors” on the machine, I realized I was really pushing myself.  I was breathing heavy, and it was getting more and more difficult for me to continue.  I stopped a couple times to catch my breath and get a drink of water.

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All in all, it was a good training session for a few reasons.  First, I finished the climb on the stair climber.  I completed more than 1,210 steps.  Also, I acquired some insight into what I need to do make my training program successful.

At this point, I believe I should get on the stair climbing machine at least two times per week.  That will give me ten practice sessions for the actual climb. 

By doubling my training program, I expect each session will get easier and easier.  By the tenth time, I want it to be a breeze.  Even better, I hope to improve my time drastically.

If, by chance, I am not seeing a marked improvement as the sessions continue, it will be necessary to expand my training program again.  The next session is Wednesday.  We’ll see what happens.

I’m still looking for more ideas for a successful training program.  Do you have any you can share in the Comments?  

What is “Climb Miami”?  Please check out my Climb Miami website. 

Breakfast:  Vegetable Frittata Strata; Egg Whites; Pineapple, fresh; Bread, oatmeal; Morning Coffee

Morning Snack:  Crabmeat; Cranberries, dried

Lunch:  Roasted Vegetable Pizza; Lettuce, green or red leaf; FF Dressing; Year Round Average Cherry Tomato; Canned Hearts Of Palm

Afternoon Snack:  Peanut Butter Cookie

Dinner:  Glazed Chicken Tenders; Carrots, cooked; Strawberries; Oil, canola, olive, peanut, safflower; Rice, brown, cooked

Dessert:  Chocolate Caramel Bar

Drinks:  Crystal Light

Exercise:  training for “Climb Miami”.

Pedometer:  ?

After all, I have been exercising consistently since July of 2008.  I get on the recumbent bike for 30 minutes four or five days a week.  I also get in some extra exercise on the weekend.  From walks to hikes to skating, I push myself physically, and I do a variety of exercise.

If I had to guess, the difficulty I may experience with this challenge is the vertical climb.  Living in Florida, I don’t have to go vertical too much.  I am not walking up hills or mountains.  Most of the time, I’m sitting down on the recumbent bike.  My legs get a workout, but it’s not extremely intense.

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I also don’t know how long this climb will take.  I was told that last year’s fastest time was six minutes!  That’s nine floors in one minute.  That’s over 200 steps in one minute.  It’s an incredibly fast pace!  I do not think I can go that fast, but I can sure try!

My initial thought for my training plan to meet this challenge is to practice for the five Saturdays before the Saturday of the event.  I hope by doing the actual climb, the full 1,210 steps on the stair climbing machine for five weeks in a row, I will be able to do the real thing on April 18th with ease. 

It was suggested to me that my training plan might not be enough, and that is possible.  I will not know until I try it tomorrow.  If I feel like an adjustment is necessary, I’ll make it.  Do you think my training plan is enough to get me ready for the event?  If you’ve done an event like this, please share your experience in the Comments section.

By the way, if you would like to sponsor me in this event  and support the American Lung Association, please visit my Climb Miami website.

Breakfast:  Chocolate Chip Granola Bar; Cottage Cheese, 1% Fat; Applesauce, unsweetened; Morning Coffee; Cracker, Honeymaid Graham Crackers (Nabisco) ,Low Fat Honey

Morning Snack:  Ham, low-fat; Pineapple, canned, water-packed

Lunch:  Vegetable Beef Soup; Mushrooms, raw; FF Dressing

Afternoon Snack:  Cheese Puffs

Dinner:  Mashed Potatoes with Meatloaf and Tomato Sauce; Brussel Sprouts, cooked; Pineapple, canned, water-packed; Oil, canola, olive, peanut, safflower; Rice, brown, cooked

Dessert:  Chocolatey Nougat Bar with Peanuts and Caramel

Drinks:  Crystal Light

Exercise:  none again.  I still felt like crap.

Pedometer:  ?

“Climb Miami” is organized by American Lung Association to raise money.  The “climb” is a 55-story, 1,210 step trek to the top of the Wachovia bank building in downtown Miami.  The website says they expect over 1,000 climbers.  It’s a big event, and this type of event only seems to occur in four places in Florida.

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A few weeks ago, I was looking for some other physical challenges, and I came across the stair climb idea.  Living in Florida, there are not many options for climbing.  There are some rock climbing places with those artificial walls, but we have no mountains and very few big hills.  Stair climbing is an option, if you can find a building tall enough that will allow you to use their stairs.  Luckily, “Climb Miami” is right around the corner. 

I like the idea of climbing the stairs of a tall building, because it is not stationary.  It might be repetitive, but at least it is not stationary.  Unfortunately, the training for the event will be stationary, although it is possible to train for the event in the same building in Miami, more than 70 miles away.

Instead of making the drive to practice, I plan to get on the stair climbing machine at the gym for the next five Saturdays.  I have no idea at this point how many steps I will be able to do.  I am just going to get on the machine and go as far as I can.  Hopefully, I’ll get to 1,210 steps the first time, and I can just work to improve my speed the other four Saturdays. 

I’m excited about “Climb Miami”.  Will you be participating in “Climb Miami” or a similar event?  If you’ve already done something like this, please “Leave a Comment” and talk about your experience.

Breakfast:  Chocolate Chip Granola Bar; Egg; Banana; Morning Coffee; Cracker, Honeymaid Graham Crackers (Nabisco) ,Low Fat Honey

Morning Snack:  Turkey Breast; Banana

Lunch:  Vegetable Beef Soup; Cabbage, raw; FF Dressing

Afternoon Snack:  Zesty Herb Snack Mix

Dinner:  Rotini with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce; Strawberries; Olives, black or green; Barley, cooked; Fennel Bulb

Dessert:  Ice Cream Sandwich

Drinks:  Crystal Light; water

Exercise:  30 minutes on recumbent bike at 138 bpm.  33.33% of weekly exercise goal is complete.

Pedometer:  ?