2016 Empire State Building Run-Up – Recap

A few months ago, I won a contest to participate in the 2016 Empire State Building Run-Up. I like a challenge, so I gratefully accepted the challenge. Last night was the run-up and this is my recap…

Last night was an interesting experience. You think oh it can’t be that bad, if you can’t run up just walk it. Hmm… Think again. Yea. Just walk it sounds easy enough. One step after another. I was using my HRM to track my heart rate, because I knew it would go way up and I wanted to be able to pace myself. I didn’t care bout time, I wanted to make sure i wasn’t too out of breath. After the first 10 floors you’re pretty much outta breath, and moving at your maximum heart rate. I remember seeing close to 200 beats per minute as I got closer to the top. I might even been just excited that the end was near.
The stairs are awfully quiet, and all you hear if any is heavy breathing and/or panting behind you. Like a scary movie, I just wanted to outrun whatever was behind me. At one point one person was breathing so loud, it reminded me of Halloween Michael Myers theme music.

Anyways, doing two steps at a time is better than doing one, but will leave you breathless at times. One step burns your legs. Oh, that handrail becomes your best friend. I held on for dear life, especially after 60. It helps you pull yourself up. My right arm is on fire right know because of yesterday’s arm workout.
Once, you get to floor 80, you feel the fresh air and you start to hear noise and cheers
The last 6 floors, is like mile 25 at a marathon, you’re so close you can smell it. Back to two stepping it, all the way to the top. You exit through that door you think it’s over, but it’s not. Just a little jog to the finish, then this really cold wind hits you and brings you back to life.

Absolutely amazing. Challenging, but worth doing.

86 floors in about 25 mins. I’ll take it.

This story was originally published via my Instagram page,

After the finish I met up with one of my runner friends Linna and we took some pics on the observation deck with our flashing medals.

On our way down to the main lobby, we bumped into the men’s winner, Darren Wilson, on the elevator. We asked him a couple as to how does he train. He said he trains in a 20 story building, runs up, takes the elevator down. He mentioned to NEVER run down. Very bad for your body, can cause many injuries, especially after the run up. I can totally see that. Anyways, he looked so humble and relaxed, very kind; he congratulated us on our finish as well.

Lastly, special thanks to Paragon Sports for hosting the social media contest that allowed Linna and I to get a chance to participate in this sold out race/run-up. I am thankful and grateful for the opportunity, it was one hell of a challenge, but worth it. Thanks also to Marmot and NYC Runs for this amazing race, well put together, very organized. Great job! Thank you!