“Made it, Ma! Top of the World!”
James Cagney in White Heat – 1949 Film Noir

Tower climbing is my current athletic obsession and how appropriate that I live in the great city of Chicago, the birthplace of the skyscraper and home to the tallest building in the United States to pursue my latest interest.  The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) ranks Willis Tower as 8th tallest building in the world.

Willis Tower (Photo from www.nataliemwilson.glogster.com)

On a November Sunday last year, I, along with hundreds of other people, attacked the stairs (all 2,109 steps) up to the SkyDeck on the 103rd floor at the Willis Tower for various personal reasons by participating in my first ever Sky Rise Chicago.  My reason for this insanity, a term that several of my friends and family expressed and with a few loudly stating “Are you nuts!!??, was a simple and slightly smart ass “why not” and, oddly, it sounded like a fun time.  Since I had previously completed eighteen marathons with one being the Pikes Peak Marathon (all 14,410 ft. and a tower in its own right) it occurred to me that my “ why not” reasoning was not a completely pie-in-the-sky goal and I was quite confident that I could actually finish.  I had already proven to myself that I can push my body to the extreme to complete a marathon I decided to change up the scenery and go for it.  To make a long story short I came, I saw and I conquered the Willis Tower in 44 minutes.

Indoor Stair Climbers (Photo from www.ctbuh.org)

Sky Rise Chicago is not only the highest indoor stair climb in the world it’s also the first to accommodate participants of all abilities.  There are two ways to participate in this climb.  You can walk/jog up the steps or, for hand participants, you can use hand cycles that are mathematically calibrated to match the resistance and time necessary to ascend to the top.  I chose to walk.  The proceeds of this climb benefit the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago’s (RIC) world-class patient care and research which helps to advance the possibility of repair, regeneration and recovery for patients who seek this care.  I like to participate in these types of fund raising events for altruistic and personal reasons.  It makes you feel really great about yourself and more importantly you help to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Ok now for the big question, “how do you train for a stair climbing race?”  Of course, first set your realistic goal, plan your training and then begin.  For any stair climbing race, it is important to train in a real stairway as opposed to hopping on the stair climber at the gym although that is what I trained on for the Pikes Peak Marathon with ultimate success.  There is no reason, however, that you can’t mix stair climbing up with an occasional machine-based workout but look out for actual stairs for the majority of your training so you are prepared and feel comfortable being in a stairwell on the day of your climb.  Some athletes dispute this training and actually recommend doing the reverse.  Basically, whatever you feel most comfortable and go that route.  Like I stated earlier, I only trained on the stairmaster and successfully conquered Pikes Peak.  I also like to hit the hills or, in my case, the Montrose hill to add some variety to my training and take a break from the stairwell allowing for much better scenery.  I am lucky that I live in a high rise of 23 floors where I can train every night if I wish and I always take the stairs to my condo unit.

Regarding training:  Two or three times each week it is suggested to perform intervals where you run up several flights of stairs, walk down and repeat.  Depending on your fitness level, start with a minute ascent, repeat for 4-6 reps.  Add 30 seconds to your ascents every week for continual improvement and build up your total time based on the length of your climb.  Stair climbing is one of the most challenging types of physical exercises you can do.  It incorporates several major muscle groups and challenges your body both aerobically and anaerobically.  In your training for a climb it requires you to not only train in the aerobic heart rate zone (50%-80% of your max heart rate) but also in your anaerobic heart rate (80%-90% of your max heart rate).  Additionally, include a good resistance training program for your legs will benefit you as your legs will be used much differently than in running or biking.  Also pay close attention to your breathing as you train.  This is an area that I need to improve as, for some reason, I tend to hold my breath a bit too much.  Listening to your breathing is a key to reaching the top.  Pace yourself and don’t hesitate to stop every few floors to catch your breath.  Check out Fight For Air Climb for excellent training tips and a nine week training calendar and schedule.

If you are looking to participate in a tower climb here are five of the best Chicago has to offer:
- Sky Rise Chicago benefitting Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago – Willis Tower – November 6, 2011
- Fight For Air Climb benefitting American Lung Association – Oakbrook Terrace Tower – February 12, 2012
- Hustle Up The Hancock – John Hancock Center – February 26, 2012
- Fight For Air Climb benefitting American Lung Association – Presidential Towers - March 2, 2012
- Step Up For Kids benefitting Children’s Memorial Hospital – Aon Center – Date TBD

John Hancock Center (Photo from www.visitingdc.com)

Why not consider a tower climb and join me this November 6?  You still have the time to get your training started.  Besides getting yourself in better shape you will help some nice folks who could use that helping hand by your participation.  Registration is now open for the Sky Rise Chicago so sign up or consider one of the other climbs that I listed above.  If you are not interested in doing the actual ascent you can participate by making a donation to a friend that will be doing the climb.

Finally you may be wondering what has this article to do with all things bridal?  The simple answer is that both the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Observatory have awesome packages for proposals and weddings.  What a fantastic location to pop the question or to say your I do’s!

And remember don’t forget to tell Ma that we will see her “at the top!!!”  Happy Climbing!

Man About Town has lived in Chicago most of his life, is recently hitched and forgets more than you will ever know about… well, anything!  He is on a weekly search for all things interesting to guys (well, and the ladies too!).