Well, I survived.

 

No official time yet. I've had no time to relax yet and am off to the dinner now.

 

Cheers. Very satisfying though.

 

OK. A very early start to the morning and I went out and met Pete, Carson and Scott from Newmont Waihi to guide them into the event.

 

We got a great park with the van at the base of the tower and wandered down to listen to the briefing. There were over 150 Firefighters from all over New Zealand. From Mossburn to Paihia and even Tokomaru Bay and 2 competitors from Prince George's County, Washington DC.

 

Last years record time was 10 minutes 14 seconds.

 

The event itself is a 200 metre run from the ASB end of Federal St to the ground level entry of the Tower (Level 4) and then a climb of 47 floors to the Observation deck (Level 51) and 186 metres high. 1029 stairs in total (I didn't count them). The stairs have right hand turns in them (abnormal, you check) and up to level 44 they are very short runs of stairs, but a number of landings to a floor. Then into the Fire Refuge bay (the first jutty out bit of the Tower) a run around it anti-clockwise and then 7 long straight sets of stairs to the Observation deck.

 

So the first attempt for the Firefighters is a single run donned and started (for most). The RNZAF moved up a place from last year and Mike Crisford took out the fastest climb with a new record time of 10 minutes 7 seconds!

 

I headed off at 0950 and finished 10th in the Auxiliaries with a time of 13 minutes and 35 seconds. I can say that climbing the whole time is very different to the training I had been doing. The stairwell is narrow enough that you can use your arms to pull yourself up too and my back was starting to kill me about Level 33 from using my arms to assist. I got to the top and staggered passed Deb, Elise and Angela looking for some water. Paula helped me off with my transponder as I couldn't get it off. Couldn't work the velcro with my head down at that stage. I then went back to the van and got set up for the 10,000 stair challenge guys who were borrowing our cylinders. The last 2 squads of Firefighters set off.

 

The 10,000 stair challenge is teams of 3 firefighters ascending to the Sky deck 220 metres up three times each. The total of the nine climbs is their collective time.

 

The Mines Rescue boys had a good time and had some random lady come and ask to have her photo taken with them. They'll be back next year.

 

The Te Awamutu squad we assisted with gear came 3rd in the teams event (fastest individual times of the first climb) and 2nd in the 10,000 stair event. A Great effort! Jaimee, the American lady who we loaned a BA to also won her class (sorry don't have a time) and she is about 45kg soaking wet. And she went on and did the 10,000 also.

 

Anyway, think that's about all of note. Another awesome event organised by Scottie. Let's hope that Draeger will get in behind the event in a more structured way next year.

 

Although Christopher was excellent in letting me loan about $55,000 worth of new equipment out to help the competitors for the day.

 

Looking forward to next year. A great big THANK YOU to the Te Awamutu VFB for letting me run as an Auxiliary. It was awesome.

 

Paula from TA and Scottie put many, many hours into getting the event organised and should be proud of their efforts. This is an outstanding event and raised a record $50,000+ for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation! More than double the previous figure

 

As soon as the official results come out I'll post some more.

OK, here is the schedule for those who are near the Skytower on Saturday.

 

0900 Squad 1 Donned & Started (all those doing the 10000 in here), wearing BA and using air (must make the climb on 1 cylinder)

0915 Squad 2 Donned only (wearing BA and not using air)

0930 Squad 3 Donned & Started

Break for refilling cylinders

0950 Auxilliary Section (my run)

1015 Squad 4 Donned & Started

1040 Squad 5 Donned & Started

1145 10000 Stair challenge from the base of the Tower (teams of 3 climbing 3 times each)

1315 Completion of the event

 

 

Looking forward to the beer after the event!

Scottie and I met today and I climbed the BNZ building downtown twice (48 stories in all).

 

My legs still work and I managed to get up there in 12 minutes. I still lagged behind Scottie and he was carrying the additional 20kg of clothing and equipment! I stopped after 2 ascents. He did a 3rd. I waited and drank my water. It definitely is different to climb continuously rather than the ascent/descent training I have been doing.

 

I am hoping to go again tomorrow assuming I can get there (car being valeted).

 

I'm happy that I might make the climb now and survive.

 

On another front, Elise (Houdini) has figured out how to undo her safety sleep and was standing up in the cot when I went in this morning. Opps. Do they make infant sized strait-jackets?

 

Angela has arrived up today. I think that is all the news.

Well, I decided to just do my climb for today in the clothes I had on as I came home. Working on the fact that once I got there, I wouldn't get off my arse and go out after walking the dog and bathing Elise.

 

So I headed off wearing my work clothes and boots. I managed 12 ascents and descent (1020 stairs) in 19 minutes 4 seconds.

 

It is a bit harder with the heavier steel-caps on.

 

I can't imagine what the Fire-fighters carrying another 12-15kg would be like.

 

Looking forward to the beer on Saturday!

 

On another front, congratulations to Mark and Erin on expecting number 2! The 2nd in the ante-natal class to slip one passed the goalie.

Well, in 5 days I'll be lining up to see if I can climb the Skytower.

 

The week off with food poisoning has really effected my preparation. Thursday evening I set off for the stairs at Kohi again and managed only 4 ascents and descents. My thighs and calves were killing me for the next two days.

 

This morning I managed 10 ascents and descents (was going to give up after 5 as I felt knackered) in 15 minutes and 39 seconds. Only 850 stairs. So I'm hoping to get a few more on top to actually achieve the distance before the day.

 

Thursday will be my last effort before the big day.

 

Paula has just confirmed that there are 21 certifiable Firemen who are competing in the 10,000 stair challenge. These lunatics climb the tower fully donned at about 9am with everyone else. Then get an hours break before they all have to do THREE more ascents each. The cumulative time for all 3 members 3 ascents is the team time.

 

I have managed to swing enough Carbon Fibre cylinders for all these competitors to make their climb a little easier. The CF cylinders are about 2kg lighter than the Aluminium cylinders most have access to.

 

On another note. Elise has bashed her head on the warming drawer of the oven today (not on) and has a nice purple bruise and lump on the back of her head.

 

Bob stopped in yesterday on his way to Korea and China. Back in 2 weeks.

 

Elise has started throwing her leg over (not like that) Franny the horse and making her giddy-up. Hilarious to watch. The dismounts can be entertaining also.

 

I think that's it.

Well, I've done no training over the last 7 days.

 

I felt a little unwell last Thursday morning and progressively got worse. On Sunday, I went to the A&E and was diagnosed with gastro due to campylobacter.

 

No idea where from, but it's not to be recommended. The only exercise I've had is dashing to the loo.

 

The antibiotics seem to be starting to work. So I'm hoping to get back up the stairs tomorrow in earnest again.

 

I've been told it is a great weightloss programme. But it really hasn't worked for me. I don't think I've lost more than a kilo.

 

As long as you avoid food and drink, the stomach doesn't hurt too much.

 

Outside of that, all is going well. No ill effects for Elise.