Fight for Air Climb 2010

I coordinated media for the Fight for Air Climb (AKA 801 Grand Power Climb) on Sunday.  Two years ago I was able to do the climb.  I trained, I put my heart into it and I made it all 41 floors straight up the building in just under 10 minutes - my goal.

This year I was not only on the sideline due to my weight gain and knee injury - I put my back out before I even left work. LOL.  It was incredibly painful, but really funny in its own way.  The universe was trying to drive home a point - get it together.  I had to go to the doctor yesterday anyway, so I am now on muscle relaxers.  Sadly not the "say funny things" kind, just the loosen things up so I don't want to cry kind.

But I digress... (a really long way)

I actually wanted to talk about the inspiration I took from the people who DID do the Climb.  People came from all walks of life - triathletes, kids, lung disease sufferers, fire fighters and law enforcement and my fabulous sister-in-law Annette.  All of them climbing to raise money for the American Lung Association.  In all, over 1,000 climbers raised $113,000, though the end total will be closer to $170,000.

Just being near so many in shape and determined people was awesome.  It has me determined to be ready to do it again next year.

Yours in health,
Kate

801 Grand Power Climb

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Power Climb a great success. 828 climbers came out today and have so far raised over $130,000 for the American Lung Association of Iowa.

That includes Annette who didn't feel well and still finished in a respectable time. As you know I had to skip the climb this year because of this stupid knee of mine.

It was so fun to see the behind the scenes parts, last year I was too busy climbing. Man were there a lot of gorgeous firefighters there. Even if I wasnLt committed to the cause, that would motivate me to be there.

I'll be there next year, climbing and organizing.

Yours in health, Kate

In the Swim

I did go to the gym yesterday and worked out in the pool. My ear was popping like somebody was hitting my tympanic membrane, in fact, it's still doing it. So I didn't actually swim for fear I would do damage.

Instead I - ran, did upper body weights, squats, crunches, lunges, step-ups, leg lifts and jumping jacks. I did all of that in the water in 35 minutes.

It's not quite the cardio of swimming, but it was a workout. And it was fun, which was good.

No workout today, I have a lot of work to get done and two fun interviews to go do. I am talking to Olympian and World Champion hurdler Lolo Jones about childhood obesity. Then it's up to Ames to interview one of my favorite guys - Ron Livingston.

He's VERY handsome and it will be good to see him again. The last time we met up in person was 2004, I was a big woman then and I am not now. He won't know that, but I will. :)

Anyway, I better get my butt in gear if I am going to get anything done before the Power Climb meeting - yep, it's coming up. I can't believe it, but February 22nd is just around the corner. Early registration is beginning soon - I'll have a full post on this tomorrow.

Yours in fitness, Kate

And now for your gratuitous picture the chocolate brown-eyed Iowa native Ron Livingston.