Stairway out of Tubby Town

They are 150 of some of the steepest, ramshackle, un-even stairs you will find. 8 flights straight up with a little landing in between each. They go from North Division Street up the hill into the Belknap neighborhood in Grand Rapids. They are a test of what kind of shape you are really in. I stood at the bottom last Friday telling myself I could trot all the way up them. Thursday I had gone up them with my walking partners, I trotted all but the last 20 or so. Walking the rest. My partners complained and were about 40 steps behind when I got to the top. Friday I was alone...

I stretched my calves a little, the right calf a little tight from the day before. I took a couple of big breaths and started up. At the half way point I felt good, after 6 flights I was feeling it. My calves starting to burn, but the worst is breathing. This climb knocks the wind out of you, you can't get enough air. After 7 flights I told myself, 20 steps to go, don't stop now. Then I was there, at the top, gasping for air, calves on fire. But I had trotted all the way up! Then off to finish my walk, another couple of miles. 10 minutes later, I've caught my breath, my calves are loosened back up and I feel alive! Energized.

South Beach Diet Phase I, week one is in the book. I lost 10 pounds. So did Sweetpea. We stuck to it to the letter. Exercise definitely helps. Last week I walked 5 days, hit the gym for 2, and got in a 20 mile bike ride. On to week two.

Hope the thunderstorms give me a break around lunch. I hear the stairs calling me again.

microe