It has been a while since I have posted. Rather than recapping the entire 2008 racing season, I will start out fresh for 2009.
I decided to apply for the Empire State Building Run Up in December, hoping that it would be a nice early season goal before the cycling season got underway. It is a race from the 1st floor to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. 86 floors, 1576 steps, 1080 feet of elevation gain. My ears popped during the race. The start is kind of like CX, in that you start in a lobby and run 20 feet to the very narrow stairwell door. It is an all-out sprint with elbowing, pushing, and sometimes trampling (last year's men's race and apparently this years women's race). I had a great starting spot right in the middle, second from the front. I had a great start, but I soon realized that my workouts on the stair climber at the gym were nothing like taking 1576 stairs 2 at a time, using my arms to pull me up. I got passed by quite a few people between floors 20 and 40, and then I got into a good rhythm. The stairwell was really dusty and I had the taste of blood in my mouth. Finally, I got to floor 86 and ran out onto the observation deck in the snow! I finished 7th in my age group and 30th overall. I now know what I need to do to improve upon this for next year (#1: practice in a tall building).
Here are some photos from after the race:
Smiling with delirium.
I am trying to look tough, but really I am just smirking.
Video of the start. I am way at the front in a pink shirt (unofficial John Deere sponsorship). Madness ensues.
This was a fun start to the year, but now I am looking forward to the cycling season. Bethel starts in less than a month!
