Stair Climb 2012 Epilogue

It seems like only yesterday that Brian and I were in Seattle for the Fire Fighter Stair Climb.  While I was not successful in my climb, Brian completed the challenge and made it to the top of the Columbia Tower.

Together Brian and I raised nearly $12,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Our personal thanks goes out to our sponsors, and friends who donated and supported our efforts.  Brian is currently in 9th place and I am in 4th place for donations for the event.  This is an unbelievable level of support and we just can't thank everyone enough. 

Brian was successful in his climb and he did carry the photos of all our honorees as well as a list of our sponsors to the top.

It has been two weeks since we returned and I have gotten an tremendous amount of support from friends, family and sponsors regarding my effort.  I have also gotten some negative comments regarding my failure to finish the climb.  (All from people who weren't sponsors)

I have spent the past two weeks reviewing and thinking about what went wrong.  At first I was concerned that some unknown health issue had prevented me from completing the climb.  This has been ruled out.

I know now that were several issues which likely combined to create a perfect storm that prevented me from completing the climb.

First, I mostly likely started much too fast.  The excitement and energy of everyone at the start was significant and I am sure I looked like a sprinter on the first 5 floors.  Second, I used the handrails to help pull myself up the stairs.  A great idea in theory but likely mistake number two.   Brian pointed out later that day that if I hadn't trained using the handrails then I likely doubled my cardio requirement by pulling myself along.  Third, I felt horrible just before the climb, I put it off as nerves but by the 5th floor I was in trouble; breathing much harder than I should have been.  The third and likely most costly mistake I discovered when I returned home.  It is likely that in the rush of getting up early to get to the event location I mistakenly took a double dose of my blood pressure medicine.  This increased dosage would have limited my pulse and reduced stamina.  I was breathing harder as my legs screamed for more oxygen but the double dose of medicine wasn't allowing my body to move nearly enough blood.  The end result was that I was unable to clear the rapid lactic acid build up in my legs and it was only a matter of time before I couldn't lift them anymore.  My Dr. tells me he was surprised that I made it as high as I did.

Now that I have a better understanding of what happened I can concentrate on moving forward.

I have decided to continue training and I plan to return to Seattle in 2013 and finish the climb.

Thank you for all your support these past months.  I will continue to update this training blog on a weekly basis for the next several months.

See you at the Top!

John

Stair Climb 2012

Sometimes things just don't work out no matter how much you plan, and prepare.

Yesterday Brian and I competed in the Fire Fighter Stair climb in Seattle.  The good news is that the photos of the people we were honoring got to the top of the Columbia Center Tower.  Our list of sponsors also made the climb to the top.  Brian carried the photos and our sponsors to the top in 27:38.

I am sorry to report that I was not able to complete the entire 69 flights.  To be honest my legs just gave out.   My pulse rate was high and respirations were also higher than my normal training rate.  I was met by two excellent Paramedics who did a quick evaluation.  By the time they arrived my pulse was coming back down and my respirations were normal.  My legs however, were gone.   They asked me the normal questions and took my blood pressure which was normal also.  We discussed the situation and while my vitals were OK they weren't excited about my continuing the climb.   Over the years of the event they have seen their share of competitors go from where I was to the hospital in just a few more floors.  They strongly suggested I call it a day and come back next year.

I was heartbroken.  I had trained for nearly four months, planned, and prepared for this challenge and now would fall short.  I could only stand in the hallway just off the stairwell in silence as the Paramedics waited for my decision.   They were right of course, to try to continue would likely get me into real physical trouble.  I had been barely able to push off each step when I had stopped just before the halfway mark.  My mind rushed as I could see the people I was honoring, My Sister Kathy, Jake Gavitt, and Robbe Shenk and all the sponsors who had donated on my behalf.  I was letting all these people down.  I felt horrible.  It was very difficult to send Brian a text that I was done for the day, short of my goal.  I don't think he believed my message at first.  I could tell he felt as bad as I did.  I simply nodded to the Paramedics the answer they knew was best.

The good news is that we arranged for Brian to carry our honorees photo and sponsors list to the top of the Tower.  I thank Brian for his assistance.  He did a great job and showed great heart and determination.  I can't say enough about how well Brian did.  He trained hard and had a keen focus.  If you see him, tell him well done!

I trained hard and felt prepared and yet today I still don't understand what happened.  It will take me a bit to review and assess the events of yesterday.  I am not sure if I didn't train hard enough or if it was something else.  I did feel tired in the morning and my legs felt weak even before the climb; which I attributed to nerves.  One of the Paramedic said simply, "it just wasn't your day today."

Life is an adventure and sometimes it knocks you down.  They key is to get up, dust yourself off, and carry on.

I am a better person for taking on this challenge.  My health is the best it has been in years.  I have met some fantastic people and made new friends at the event.   I am happy to report that for the first time the event raised over 1 Million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  It was amazing to see several thousand people working to help others afflicted with blood cancers and that was the real goal in all this.

I have not decided if I will try the climb again next year.  I will make that decision in the near future.   Brian would like to take on the challenge again. 

My thanks to everyone for their support and assistance.  

Perhaps you might like to give the climb a try.  It is for a great cause.  If so, please contact Brian or I and we will be happy to give you the details.   If you are then we will...

See you at the Top!

John

Seeing is believing

We arrived in Seattle late last night following a bumpy flight from PA.  Up early and the team took a
walk to the Columbia Center to get a first hand look at the Tower.

After seeing the Tower it might have been a good idea to have visited Seattle a few months ago and seen what we were getting into.  Standing at the foot of the building looking up; the top of the tower nearly disappeared into the fog and light rain.

We were able to go inside and take a quick look around.  Volunteers were busy setting up for the event yet the main lobby was still empty and quiet.  The security guard simply nodded as we explained why were standing in a building that is "closed today."

Back outside I looked up once again.  You can't help but question if you trained hard enough or long enough.   Tonight we will finalize our team strategy for tomorrow.  We hope to posts updates on FB and by TXTs.

Thanks to all our sponsors.  Your support will help us make the climb.

See you at the Top!

John

Travel Day

Today is a travel day as the team heads to Seattle.  We drive to Philly and then take a late flight to Seattle arriving near midnight.

Yesterday Brian was still fighting his fever and apparently had a reaction to some medication and got to visit the ER.  This morning he reports he is much better with a near normal temp.  He has not been able to train for nearly five days.

I got in an easy ride on the stationary bike this morning and am now frantically trying to get everything pulled together for the trip.  I just finished printing of the list of my sponsors to carry with me on the climb.  So far 64 people have donated on my behalf and together Brian and I have raised over $9000.00!  We are very humbled by the support.  Yesterday the owner and staff of the West Side Deli in Dushore Pa. left me a phone msg wishing us "Good Luck"!  Several people have sent cards and letters of support also.  Thanks to all.  We will do our best and will focus on the family and friends we are honoring during the climb.

We plan to keep updating the blog on our progress.  Stay tuned...

See you at the Top!

John

Fir Na Tine!

Shipping our gear to Seattle today.  Less expensive than taking it on the plane with us and much less likely to get lost.  Only a few days to go.

Last night Station 20 assisted Williamsport City Fire at a 3 alarm job at Lycoming College.  Now a normal person who has been sick for several days and has a 102 fever would never get out of bed to even watch a fire on TV!  Brian not only got out of bed but made the truck (L20) and worked the job with his crew.  While some may say this is crazy or foolish I can tell you it is very normal behavior for Fire Fighters in general.  When the alarm sounds they drop what they are doing and go do the job.   Career or Volunteer the basic behavior is the same and the intent is to help others.  Fir Na Tine!

This morning I got in the final full gear practice run before the big climb.  My time for 69 floors was 26:03.  Not my fastest time but clearly my best run to date.  The pace was excellent, pulse rate stayed around 120, breathing was controlled and my legs felt good the entire run.  A very positive session setting up for Sunday in Seattle.  Final preparations are underway and I am looking forward to the trip.

See you at the Top!

John

Just when things are going well...

Just when you think things are going well life always throws you a curve.  Brian has been very sick the past three days.  It appears he has a respiratory bug and planned to go to the Dr. to get some help in getting better.

This morning I woke up with a dull pain behind my right knee.  It doesn't appear that it is a injury to the knee but rather has the feeling of a very tight and sore hamstring.   Like most of the aches and pains I get now I have no idea where this came from.  It just appeared from no where.  Yesterdays workout well very well (see below) and I doubt the injury occurred then.  It appears the Witch Doctor is back with the look a like me doll once again.

Speed work yesterday.  3 sets of 20 floors at 85 steps/minute plus 1 set of 20 floors at 100 steps/minutes.  Max HR 130  Max r 45.  Felt very good.  Heart rate recovered to normal resting rate within 5 minutes.

Only a few more days to go.  We fly to Seattle Friday.  Let's hope Brian recovers quickly and the heat I am apply to my hamstring does the trick.

See you at the Top!

John

Are you prepared?

I decided to take today off from training.  Mostly because I just didn't feel good.  This evening something happened that gave me a surprise and something to think about.

Earlier a Mrs. Lowe called and asked if I was the guy she read about in the paper.  The guy and his son who were climbing the building.  I told her yes my son Brian and I were training to climb the Columbia Center Tower in Seattle.

Mrs. Lowe told me that her organization wanted to sponsor Brian and I and that what we were doing was a fantastic endeavor.  Her organization was sending $500 to the LLS as a sponsor for Brian and I.  I was stunned that out of the blue a group of people would give us this level of support.

Mrs.  Lowe then asked if I was ready for the climb.  To be honest I have been avoiding this question for the past couple weeks.  The truth is I don't know if I am "ready." 

I prefer to say I am prepared for things instead of saying I am ready.

In any case I feel we are prepared for the stair climb challenge.  With a few days remaining we can continue to train and prepare.  We will likely continue to prepare even up to the start of the event as there is always something that can be done to improve. 

Anytime you take on a new challenge, especially one you are not familiar with, you must be as prepared as possible to give yourself the best odds of success.  And you must always continue to prepare because you never know when the next challenge may come along.

Are you prepared ?

See you at the Top!

John

Irons

Speed work again today.

4 sets of 20 floors on the Stair Mill machine at 90 steps/minute.  Max HR 134, Max R 42

Really didn't feel very good today and it took a bit of incentive to get the workout in.  I suspect I was

a bit dehydrated and tired.  Taking in some extra liquid tonight.

Some more Fire Fighting slang:

Plug - Slang term for a fire hydrant. This survives from the days when water mains actually had holes in the tops that were plugged. Many firefighters would like to keep this word while many others think it should be replaced with the accurate term, "hydrant".

Thermal Imaging Camera - This is a camera that can be used to seek out hidden fires or see through smoke. It uses thermal imaging technology to detect the heat given off by objects. It can detect a difference of 1/10th of a degree. Some cameras have the ability to transmit the image back to command where it can be viewed or even recorded. The camera can also tell you the temperature of the object in the cross hairs.  This device is so sensitive that it could help us find a victim who is is completely under many layers of bed covers. You may hear a fire crew ask for the camera by requesting “the TIC” or some other acronym.

 

Ventilation - The process of removing heated gasses or smoke from a building. This makes the building more tenable and helps to prevent such things as flashover or backdraft. This can be accomplished by several methods, from opening a window to cutting a hole in the roof. It can also be accomplished by forced ventilation, using high powered fans for horizontal ventilation.

Halligan - An all-purpose steel prying bar used as a forcible entry tool. It looks like a adze with a point on the side. The story is that it was invented by a New York City firefighter named Huey Halligan. In some circles it is known as a "Pro Tool". Often this tool is married together with an ax. Together with possibly some other forcible entry tools, this is often referred to as "Irons". 

Once again thanks to everyone for your support.

See you at the Top!

John

Good Jake

A bit stiff last night after the full gear workout.  Today was a long slow workout on the stationary bike.

45 minutes on the stationary bike, hill climb, level 10.  target rpm 70/min.

As a follow up from the hard workout Thursday today went well.

Today I also received an email confirming that Brian and I were on the list to borrow an SCBA at the
event.  That was the good news because now we will not have to ship SCBAs to Seattle..  The bad news is that the model of SCBA that we will be using is not one that Brian, Tom or I are familiar with.  It has a completely different bottle connection system that we know.  This will be quite a challenge for the team.  The function checks and operation will also be different than our current SCBAs.   We will not be able to pick up the SCBAs until an hour before we climb so we will not have time to practice the bottle change process.  While this is an issue we hope this will not derail our climb.

One week to go until we depart for Seattle.  My plan is to continue to train hard and get at least one more full gear run before we fly.  I might even try to get two in.

Fire Fighter slang for today

Jake: New England slang for a firefighter. A fire fighter who works hard and supports his brothers on the job is known as a "Good Jake".

See you at the Top!

John

Practice makes Perfect

Today Brian joined me for joint training session.  We each completed a full gear on air practice run using the Stair Mill machine.  69 Floors.

We depart for Seattle next Friday and will likely only get one more full practice run in before next Wed.  Light workouts for Thursday and Friday with Saturday off.

Brian completed 69 Floors in 18:05... a blazing run.  When he finished he was barely breathing hard and looked like he could have easily gone another 20 floors.

My time was a personal best for 69 Floors on the Step Mill.  I finished in 21:15 with no low air alarms for either bottle used.  I felt good, not great, but good.  My pace was a bit off early and once again I had some trouble staying focused around floors 50-60.  All in all a good training day as I felt worn but not worn out.  Taking time this afternoon to hydrate and stretch a bit.

My Brother Tom joined us today so he could practice his air bottle changing routine.  He handled it well and we breezed through the change over like a NASCAR pit crew.

At Lunch we were joined by my oldest son Stephen.  Stephen, also a volunteer fire fighter suggested that the night before the climb we should be sure to consume several pints of Guinness beer as a carb loading strategy.  He also felt that the well documented medical benefits of Guinness for your heart health warranted strong consideration for this progressive training strategy.   I think we will save having a pint for after the climb; but we all appreciated his sincere recommendation.

Fire Fighter slang of the day

10 Minute Mike:  A 10 minute Mike is a fire fighter that gives you 10 minutes of really hard work on the fire ground but runs out of steam and ability to work quickly.  The result of being a bit out of shape. 

See you at the Top!

John