One of the challenging things about aging
is reaching that point between pushing yourself to keep up and resigning
yourself to backing off. Its’ a strange phenomenon when your reach that place where
you begin to feel too old to compete.
But just before you get ready to let go there is a challenge that comes along. It inspires
you and you gladly agree to do something that in hind sight seems foolish.
I’m sixty-two years old. I’ve run many races and battled many a
boardroom. I really have nothing to prove to anyone and least of all to myself.
I’ve proven I can more than survive.
I’ve lived through defeat and risen back
to success. I’ve raised two children to be fine and respectful adults who are
also excellent parents. But something in me made me say yes when the team from
my fitness club asked me to join the Thousand
Stair Climb.
Challenge is not something new. I’ve always prided myself in being able to meet a
challenge. Life after all is full of
them. They motivate us. But at some point in your life you begin to feel
the need to leave the challenges up to the next generation. Like creating apps
and social media- I’m just not up for
the competition. But somehow this climb was different for me.
Three
things made me want to do the climb. I wanted to support the team. Raising money for the
American Lung Association was a good cause.
Several years ago when I was recovering from cancer surgery I could not climb stairs for many months. In fact it
was close to a year before I could climb stairs without a little pain. I vowed
that if I recovered I would never complain or avoid a set of stairs again. This
was my challenge. I beat cancer, so I know I can beat the stairs.
I needed to train. I’m in pretty good shape for a woman my age. I teach yoga
and Spin six days a week. But still stair climbing is a different animal. So I
know I have the cardio strength and I know my muscles are both strong and flexible,
but still it takes training to
undertake a new venture such as climbing stairs.
So for six
weeks, three days a week, right after teaching a Spin class I would go home
and climb the twenty-two floors of my high rise building twice. That’s 800 steps. I counted every one of them.
But remember this is 400 up and 400 down and 400 up and 400 down. The Thousand Stair Climb is a straight 1000
up!
About two weeks before the climb I began to
secretly hope my team would cancel
or somehow I would get out of this climb
in a gracious way. It didn’t happen. The
day of the climb I met my team mates. All four members were averaging 32 years
old. Suddenly I felt like an old woman. But the kids were great and supported
my efforts.
At the climb I looked around and the average age was again about 32 years old. What the hell was I doing
here? It was too late to turn back. No choice, but to start the climb and
finish. I took a deep breath and decide I would give it my best. I wasn’t
here to win the race. I wasn’t here to beat anyone’s’ time. I was here to meet a challenge, support a good cause and
make it to the top.
The climb is done in downtown Los Angles.
It’s called the AON building. The firemen train in the stair well, so as a
start to the climb, several young firemen in full gear are the first to make
the climb. After that we go in teams.
As I began the climb I stopped thinking about the stairs and kept my mind focused on reaching the top. One foot
in front of the other I just kept moving stopping only half way for a quick
fifteen second breather. Once at the top I stepped off into the crowd and broke
into a smile. I did it! My lungs
were on fire and my head was spinning, but I made it to the top. I have pictures
to prove it.
Two of my team members beat me to the top,
but not by much. After a little time spent cooling down on the roof overlooking
LA we all piled into an elevator and descended to the ground where water and
energy bars were waiting for us.
My team mates and I left the event soon
after our climb. We piled back into the
car. On the ride home everyone was rather
quiet and exhausted, but so proud of us for doing the climb. I didn’t ask
about anyone’s time nor did I bother to look at my time. I was just glad I did
it.
Once at home curiosity got the better of me so I went on line to find my time.
First I looked at the firemen who
ranged between 11 minutes and 15 minutes.
Now remember they are carrying a full load of gear. Next I looked at my time. I did it in 16 minutes! I’m right up
there with the firemen! Now granted they are carrying in excess of fifty pounds, but I am carrying in excess of 35 years. That’s got to
count? Do I need to tell you how proud I
am of myself and what a boost that did to any thoughts I might be having about aging?
Age
is a number, but it is also a reality. At 32 years old you have energy and a
strength that is only too willing to
take on most any challenge. At 60 plus
years old it takes a little thought and a lot more reflection. I took the challenge
and pushed myself a little harder, but not so hard that I would hurt myself.
That I have learned would be stupid.
What
I have learned over the years is just like the stair
climb, it is always best to climb the middle of the stair, grab support from
the rail when you can and keep flying up the stairs until you reach the top, because
at the top there is a most magnificent view.
Now
that I’ve caught my breath and had a few days to reflect I can tell
you I would do it again. My students are all so proud of me for doing what I did
at my age. So my Proactive Anti-aging tip - Keep moving and take a challenge; do something new or
take up an old interest. You’ll be surprised how much younger you’ll feel the moment you realize; I still can do it!
Doctor Lynn
