I particpated in the Ultimate Climb which is going up the Hilton as many times as you can in 1 hour. Also, I did it in full firefighter turnout gear and airpack. Full gear & airpack typically weighs 65 some pounds. Two other firefighters from my department participated in this climb too.

My first trip up was in 12:38. I thought I had trained well, although I didn't train with the additional weight I was carrying. I started out trying for a 5 minute climb, which I thought was reasonable. After the first few flights it was just about making it to the top. I became light headed & a little dizzy. After resting, it was climb 4 floors, take a brake at the water stations.

When I got down to the bottom, I took my time to regain my senses and cool down. Heat was an issue since turnout gear doesn't breathe.

After getting some bad information that one of my firefighter brothers dropped his gear & went back up, I dropped the airpack & helmet and went up for my second climb. My time was 16:32. This climb went better & I had some company, the other firefighter from my department. This climb was better since I had someone to climb with. He was still in full gear so we stopped when he needed to and it worked out well for me.

The third and last trip I dropped my coat and my time was 18:03. I was still climbing with one firefighter & he had not dropped anything.

At the top, our hour was done & we got out finisher's medals, my first one. Taking time to get his senses back, I walked to the windows & looked out over Springfield. The view was worth it.

We went back on the elevator & met my family. I am very proud of my accomplishment. This time last year I began to become physically active. I have never completed a 5k or even something like a stair climb. Since then, my wife & I have participated in several 5k's, walking, but still participating. We will be running them this year.

Train harder & train more. It was a lot more taxing on me than what I thought. I knew it was going to be tough, but it was a punch in the gut after the first few flights.

Train on mental endurance & mental toughness. I listened to the wrong person after my first climb. If I would have looked, I would have noticed that the other firefighter's gear was not on the floor but on him.

Figure out how to cope with the heat or something to help keep my core cooler.

Not much, drank some water & looked at the view 30 floors up.


Overall fitness, core heat.


In it's second year, this race was awesome. Volunteers were great, there was plenty of drink stations - every 4th floor. You knew what was going on and when. The volunteers were very encouraging.

Overall a wonderful race. It was funny, at one of the drink stations towards the top, one of the volunteers said, "you are just about there!" I replied they said that at the last drink station. I thought it was hilarious.