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nwhikerSo. Today we got up, and Perry climbed the 1311 stairs up the Columbia Tower. The climb was to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
It was... difficult for me in several ways to be there. Lots of people, of course, and I'm not good with crowds... but the mix of hope, drive, and optimism for the future, with the fear and uncertainty of people either in the middle of treatment themselves or with loved ones in that situation, and the pain of the people there in memory of someone.... was emotionally very difficult. I'm choosing to focus on the "hope and drive" part.
But yes. It was.... a lot to deal with.
Perry hadn't prepared for this beyond his usual level of Perry fitness so I was a bit concerned. I was wrong to be. He ran up those stairs, in 10min13, and ended up being 42nd out of 2496 racers. There were more people who just climbed (different staircases.). Btw, the number of people that building can swallow is pretty incredible. Anyhow, 42/2496, and he's motivated to do it again next year, to raise more money and get faster. He was thinking about seeing if he could get people to pledge more if he got his time lower and placed better... we'll see where this plotting all ends.
What was nice? He was running with people from the boathouse, and not only did he get the top time for his group, his low time put the team in 4th position in teams overall, which was completely unexpected, and a nice surprise for the team leader, who is himself a survivor.
As far as Perry is concerned, this is the best deal ever: he gets to go all out in a physical challenge AND he's raising $$ for a good cause. No brainer as far as he's concerned. Heh.
Anyhow. It was a good thing to do.
I have a few photos that I'll post when I have a moment.
It was... difficult for me in several ways to be there. Lots of people, of course, and I'm not good with crowds... but the mix of hope, drive, and optimism for the future, with the fear and uncertainty of people either in the middle of treatment themselves or with loved ones in that situation, and the pain of the people there in memory of someone.... was emotionally very difficult. I'm choosing to focus on the "hope and drive" part.
But yes. It was.... a lot to deal with.
Perry hadn't prepared for this beyond his usual level of Perry fitness so I was a bit concerned. I was wrong to be. He ran up those stairs, in 10min13, and ended up being 42nd out of 2496 racers. There were more people who just climbed (different staircases.). Btw, the number of people that building can swallow is pretty incredible. Anyhow, 42/2496, and he's motivated to do it again next year, to raise more money and get faster. He was thinking about seeing if he could get people to pledge more if he got his time lower and placed better... we'll see where this plotting all ends.
What was nice? He was running with people from the boathouse, and not only did he get the top time for his group, his low time put the team in 4th position in teams overall, which was completely unexpected, and a nice surprise for the team leader, who is himself a survivor.
As far as Perry is concerned, this is the best deal ever: he gets to go all out in a physical challenge AND he's raising $$ for a good cause. No brainer as far as he's concerned. Heh.
Anyhow. It was a good thing to do.
I have a few photos that I'll post when I have a moment.
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