4

ASCENT: STAIR RUNNING AT FULL POWER

On your marks!

This is how every race up the Empire State Building started, followed by the deafening noise of the horn. What then ran for a good 10 minutes as an automatic program in body and mind was the result of thousands of hours of practice. It looks so easy on TV, but what's behind it?

4.1Mindset and Attitude at Full Speed

It is different for every runner, but there are commonalities.

1. Think about the goal

If you know at the start what you are running for, you are ahead of the game. Whoever does not forget the goal in the meantime will reach the finish-and perhaps his own goal. Whoever is preoccupied with the aches and pains of the race, the imponderables of the ascent, and the difficulties of the external factors will lose concentration and therefore stop focusing on the finish and his own goal. Learn more about this in chapter 20 with instructions for and practical examples of practice.

2. Unconditionality

There are a thousand reasons to stop and give up in a tower run (and in everything in life). The question that arises:

-Why give up or continue?

It's no different in the stairwell, and the question is loud and pressing.

-Why am I doing this to myself?

-Why didn't I stay at home?

-Why?

There is hardly any escape from this endless circle of pointless questioning. Question after question, the energy is directed in a way that does not lead to the goal. That is why I have always answered this question in advance:

-Why? Because I have decided it.

-Why am I here? Because I have decided it.

-Why does it hurt so much? Because I am ready to give everything.

-Why am I not at home? Because I have made up my mind.

-Why am I doing this to myself? Because I've decided to do it.

-Why am I not running a little slower? Because I have chosen to do this. Because I have chosen this unconditionality.

It may sound a bit intense, but it has pulled my body and mind from the edge of collapse in many races. Why? Because that was my limit to which I ran. It was about testing limits, and the slogan dictated the pace: nothing is impossible.

At the time, there was no alternative to this strategy for me. Today I can offer you an alternative, because not everyone wants to maltreat their body and mind in order to to be a few seconds faster at the finish line. Besides, it is not possible for every brain to live with such an unconditional will. Learn more about this in chapter 19.

4.2View Direction

How the track looks, where the curve is, and where the railing is are all important elements for arriving quickly, successfully, and without injury at the finish on the observation platforms. It helps to focus exactly on the steps and the handrail at the beginning. After a few floors, it is ideal if you have internalized the rhythm of the stairs; look ahead and scan entire flights of stairs. One look just to make sure everything is okay, just like the last set of stairs. This saves focus power and allows you to concentrate on other things.

It's best to keep your eyes straight ahead and to not hang your head. You can tell from the common saying that it's good to keep your head upright. By looking ahead, you'll be more powerful and light-footed on the steps.

Another trick is to look ahead at the turns or landings; direct your eyes toward the coming landing and your body will run toward this focus point. Visually fixing the steps and handrail at the point where you want to run helps you move forward.

4.3Stair Technique

Step by step towards the goal; anyone can and does run stairs. But anyon

• Reise / Hobbys
• Sport
• Stair running
• Empire State Building
• Sydney Tower
• Taipei 101
• Niesen Stair Run
• Vertical World Circuit
• Swissotel Vertical Marathon