10/23/2004 Archived Entry: "19:28"

Thats how long it took me to climb the CN tower's 144 flights of stairs this morning. Mike was about 30 seconds ahead of me, and Ian was about 30 seconds ahead of him. For a frame of reference, average time is about 30 mins and the world record is just over 7. Before the climb we were determined to beat the average but also somewhat apprehensive about whether or not we could even make it to the top.

The hardest part was not knowing when the stairs would end. We didn't know how many flights the thing was before hand, not to mention signs saying "you're almost there!" and "almost halfway" were posted everywhere, so it was impossible to know how to pace myself.

Next time (you betcha there'll be a next time!), I want to crack the 18 minute mark and I'll know how to pace myself, like I should move a bit faster around the 100th floor. There's no point in burning yourself out early on and towards the last 10 or so floors, the crowd gets too big to shove through properly.

I feel pretty awesome that I was able to do this, and in good time too. It was a great experience!

Replies: 7 comments

I swear you put the world record as just over 10 the first time I read the post...

Posted by dAN @ 10/24/2004 08:38 AM EST

I looked up the actual record and then messaged him about it. Then he updated it. That 7 minute record was set back in 1989, it's crazy to think that someone did it that fast!

Posted by Mike @ 10/24/2004 11:15 AM EST

Did you do one step at a time? Or did you double/triple up with each stride??

Posted by Jen Smuj @ 10/24/2004 12:25 PM EST

One at a tome. I tried doing two but the steps are too high for my short legs.

Posted by Rayne @ 10/24/2004 02:36 PM EST

I did two at a time for the first 10 or so flights and then it just got too hard on the legs. you have to push exert a lot of force to do two steps at once. If I was about 50 pounds lighter it might have been easier, haha.

Posted by Mike @ 10/24/2004 11:31 PM EST

Wah, u r so great, it's impossible for me to climb CN Tower, hard to imagine! >_<

Posted by Hester @ 10/27/2004 01:07 AM EST

Tackling the steps of the CN Tower by foot is no easy feat. But ascending the world's longest metal staircase on a pogo stick is considered by King Of World Records Ashrita Furman to be a giant leap that "contributes to the progress of the world."
Furman, who holds records in 13 different categories in the Guinness Book of World Records, says it's his hop up the CN Tower steps on the old-fashioned toy in 1989 that springs to mind as "an all-time favourite."

Posted by weekend pill @ 11/25/2004 02:55 AM EST