My strategy was to get to the top without stopping. I was not sure how many flights I would be able to "run" but decided that I was not going to stop and rest at all. I started out with a run but realized after the first few flights that running was not going to get me to the top so power walked my way through it. I first tried not using the railings and then switched to using the railings on both sides. This was not comfortable so decided to use one railing and walk up using a hand over hand technique. This seemed to work the best. I had gum with the idea that my throat would not get dry. I was breathing pretty heavy within the first 5-10 flights. I figured I would just continue to breathe deeply and it would get me through. The lungs started to hurt probably half way up. I don't recall my quads or calves hurting too much but this is probably because of my breathing difficulties. I reached the top in 7:37 minutes. I was #19 out of 79 women in my age group 40-49.
When I reached the top I thought I would be okay. I was very winded and had this funny tickle in the very back of my throat. I started to cough and this was not good. I could not stop coughing and this in turn filled up my lungs similar to when I start wheezing when I push myself too hard on short runs or have allergy symptoms even at home. The cough turned into quite a scary attack of coughing and not being able to breathe. Terry followed the team into the elevators and disappeared before I realized that everyone was headed downstairs. I was going to get into an elevator with Mike and a bunch of other men and was coughing so much that I decided to not go down with them. I thought I might end up throwing up due to the severe coughing. I found a bathroom and attempted to get the coughing under control. By this time I was having trouble breathing and my face was really red and my eyes were watering like crazy. There were some other women in the restroom with me and they told me I should ride down the elevator with them.
Terry was waiting outside the elevator waiting for me when I stepped out. The other members of the team had headed to the skyway level where the food was being offered. I was hoping that by eating something I could stop my coughing so we headed to the skyway level. I felt pretty miserable at this time and just could not shake it. I was starting to feel better after eating and could at least breath but it was still tuff. We got our things and everyone headed over to the Rail Station for drinks. I was not feeling the best but was at least not coughing constantly by the time we made it to the Rail Station Bar and Grill. We hung out for a little bit and then left to head over the TC Running Company to look at trail running shoes and inserts. Terry and I both took a nap when we got home around 2pm or so. I am still exhausted, even after napping. Seems odd that a 7:37 minute race could take that much out of me but I suppose I feel worse as a result of my little episode.
At this point I am unsure as to whether I will want to participate in another climb. I can take the sore muscles but the wheezing and not being able to breathe is a totally different story. I think I would rather run for 8 hours during a 50k trail race than kill myself running up 31 flights of stairs.
