SkyRise Chicago 2010: 103 Flights. 2,109 Steps. 53.52 Minutes.

On Sunday, November 14, 21010, I climbed the tallest building in the WESTERN HEMISPHERE—The Willis (formerly Sears) Tower!

If I said getting up those steps was easy, I would be a big liar and no part of the truth would be in me! The Willis Tower did not allow me up those stairs easily and each and every one of those 103 floors and 2,109 steps made me realize what a blessing life, health, and freedom of movement really is.

On the way up, I passed two SkyRisers who encouraged me so much. One was an older gentleman and the other, an older lady. They had to be in their mid-80s, early-90s. They took each step, one at a time. As I walked by I said, “you can do it!” but I really wanted to give them a BIG hug. Here I was, by floor 39, feeling like I was going to die, and they were going steady, no complaints: just. doing. it.

A few highlights from a couple of floors.

Floor 39: Again, it was here that I felt as if I was going to perish in that stairwell, but we were a little over 1/3 of the way through so I couldn’t turn around!

Floor 52: The half-way mark! It was here that I realized, though it had been and would continue to be hard, I could make it TO THE TOP.

Floor 70: Each floor represented 1 lb of weight loss since I began my weight loss journey in January. I had to do a VICTORY dance on this floor!

Floor 83: We only had 20 more floors to do—really doable especially since the building we trained in had 19 floors.

Floor 100: 3 from the top! And, my official weight loss goal! By SkyRise 2011, I’ll do a victory dance on this level as well!

Floor 102: We’re almost here, let’s SPRINT to the TOP! LOL

Floor 103: The Finish LINE! SO happy to see the SkyDeck! Made it up in 53:52 seconds!

SkyRise 2010 re-affirmed a lot of obvious lessons:

• Progress happens after an accumulation of little changes over a long period of time. I made it up those steps, one-at-a-time and after 2,109 steps, I reached my goal.

• “Team work makes the dream work”—thanks for this one LH! ☺ This one is obvious, work with others to achieve your fitness goals. When I decided to do SkyRise 2010, I immediately recruited friends to do it with me. (Same with when I started my lifestyle transition in January.) Friends provide encouragement, accountability, and GOOD LAUGHS that really keep you going when the going gets tough!

• It hurts, but keep going! (This is my exercise mantra!)

• Encouragement comes from unexpected places—be open to receiving it!

SkyRise 2010 was exhilarating! Who’s up for SkyRise 2011????