Stratosphere Climb Fund Raiser
Quote: ALA pitchDear Friends,
Soon I will be joining more than thousands of others from around the country in this year's Fight for Air Climbs to raise money for the American Lung Association. I am gathering donations and walking to help fight asthma, lung cancer, COPD and dozens of other lung diseases.
I am asking or your help. By making a contribution on my behalf, you will be helping the American Lung Association provide community based education programs, fight for cleaner air standards and fund life-saving research.
Asthma is the number one cause for school absenteeism and every day in this country at least 10 people die from an asthma attack, thus it is important that we provide disease management education to children when they are 8, 9 or 10 years old. Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally and is woefully under funded when it comes to research, thus is essential that we generate the awareness needed to increase resources for advanced research projects. The average age for American's to start a smoking habit is 14, thus it is critical that we get into the elementary schools and teach children about the dangers of tobacco use early.
My goal is to raise $100 for our cause. Please go to my personal web page and make a $5, $10 or $20 gift. All gifts are fully tax deductible as The American Lung Association is a 501(c)3 organization and is in fact one of the most recognized nationally for proper management of the resources entrusted them since they began in 1904. You will receive a notice in the mail from me thanking you for your gift which you can then use for your tax filing next year. You may also make checks payable to The American Lung Association (my climb team) and mail them to our local office.
Please take a deep breath....and be thankful that you can. Millions of others suffer from lung disease daily and your support makes the every day act of breathing that much easier for many people.
Together we can fight lung disease successfully.
Quote: WizardOn March 3 I'm climbing the Stratosphere tower stairs
As challenging as climbing the Empire State Buildings
stairs? Now there's a climb, 103 floors I think.
Quote: WizardOn March 3 I'm climbing the Stratosphere tower stairs as a fund raiser for the American Lung Association. They are asking me to bug my friends for donations, so consider yourself bugged. You can visit my fund raising page for more information.
Would you care to redirect a certain bet, should you win? Or part of it? >;)
But it would be unseemly to merely joke on an honest charitable appeal. So consider this a pledge for an undisclosed amount.
I tried to donate by sponsoring a participant, but could not bring your name up. Was about to give up before I saw the support
Michael link on the upper right side of the front page. I used it and am assuming just an error on the site ??
Quote: buzzpaffI tried to donate by sponsoring a participant, but could not bring your name up. Was about to give up before I saw the support
Michael link on the upper right side of the front page. I used it and am assuming just an error on the site ??
I don't think you need to bother with that. Here is how do it it.
1. Go to my fund raising page at http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR?px=4782564&pg=personal&fr_id=4550&et=wmAg47FcHsECCiJXL8qwCA&s_tafId=30103.
2. Click on "make a gift." It is under the thermometer.
3. Fill in the requested fields.
Somebody already donated $10 (thanks!). If we get $90 I'll get a free t-shirt! Come on -- I want that shirt.
Quote: NareedWould you care to redirect a certain bet, should you win? Or part of it? >;)
I don't know that much about it, but the following day they do it again for the people with the best times in the first heat. I'd be honored to get that far. Remember, I was in the top 12% in the half-marathon for my age group. Let's leave our certain bet alone, as it already has action on the Super Bowl. I'd be open to wagering on this somehow, but don't know what is a reasonable goal.
for a good cause.
I guess I can't do that to the Wizard.
Fortunately, the American Lung Association was not one of those charities, and Mike is one of the very few people for whom I would put aside my charity boycott.
Good luck with the climb Mike!
Quote: NicksGamingStuffIt looks like you got your shirt!
$10 more to go! I need to get to $150 and I'm at $140.
Thanks Nick and to all who donated thus far. There is a rotating screen of those who donated on my fund raising page.
Quote: DJTeddyBearBecause I was screwed over, almost simultaneously, by two national charites a couple years ago...!
They can be taken over by the worst kind of people in the world. In your case, care to elaborate?
Basically, what I was trying to say is, Mike does a shitload of good stuff for us, not the least of which is running WoV, for free.
It's payback time.
---
The VERY short version of the stories are, I was providing my DJ services for two charity events, for free, because the charities had no budget for entertainment. I didn't want much, just a token payment to cover expenses, etc. A hundred bucks or so. Whatever. With no budget, I'd just do it for free and buy myself a ticket to heaven.
After 5 years of this, and being told there's no budget each time, I found out that other DJs working for these same organizations, WERE getting paid. And without also doing free events. And not some small token payment either.
About a month after that discovery, I get a call from a small, local charity, asking me if I'd do their event. They only had $250 in the budget for a DJ, would that be OK?
I should add that the two big events, that I did for free, were on Saturday nights during wedding season. The local charity that paid, did their event off-season, on a Sunday morning.
Quote: DJTeddyBearThe VERY short version of the stories are, I was providing my DJ services for two charity events, for free, because the charities had no budget for entertainment.
Silver Lining:
Maybe you did get that advance ticket to heaven.
And even though the other DJ's took a payment,
you should feel good about "sortof donating"
that amount straight to the charity.
Afterall, if they have less overhead, that SHOULD
mean that the whatever money they raised
went toward working on their cause.
Yeah, I get all that, and I do agree with what you're saying.
I just don't get how they can hire DJs that are not among the group of DJs that regularly donate DJ services. Got me a bit jaded.
And I'm VERY glad Mike exceeded his goal. After I had donated and posted my story, Mike was stuck at $10 short of the goal all day!
Hey Gang!
I had a reason to boycott, but I donated anyway.
Just because Mike hit his goal doesn't mean he doesn't need/want more donations.
If you haven't donated yet, DO IT! Donate as a way to thank Mike for all he does for us!
and while organizing my cubicle, I came across an article
in TIME magazine from a while back that was about
Cancer Research charities that had an obscene level
of % devoted to fundraising.
ps: The issue also had an article on INNOVATION which
is why I had the magazine squirreled away in my desk.
beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, I suppose.
But I had hoped to see a higher amount. A big # multiplied
by a small donation can add up, although I'd ask the
MATHEXTREMIST to check me on that.
I'm just a little ol' engineer for goodness sakes.
- Climbers will climb 1455 steps which equals 108 floors !
Wiz: Where do you train for an event like this ? Do you go
to one of the high rise towers and just find a stairwell ?
Quote: JohnnyQClimbers will climb 1455 steps which equals 108 floors !
Thats odd because the Empire State Building
has 102 floors and 1860 stair steps.
Quote: JohnnyQWiz: Where do you train for an event like this ? Do you go to one of the high rise towers and just find a stairwell ?
I think I'll hit the stair machine at the gym. When I was training for Mount Shasta and Hood in the summer I would do 300 flights at a time. Note that it is a lot easier to climb a flight on those machines than a real flight. Same with the running machines.
Quote: EvenBobThats odd because the Empire State Building has 102 floors and 1860 stair steps.
I agree, there is no way the Stratosphere is 108 stories. If the Empire State Building is 18.24 steps per floor. Using that ratio, the Stratosphere would be 80 floors.
more for a good cause.
Chuck
Quote: boymimboI've donated $40 just now, Mike, with an attempted match from my company! Have fun on the climb.
Thanks! The other day I did 200 flights on the stair machine at the gym to prepare. I want to impress you guys with a good time.
Hmmm....Quote: WizardI agree, there is no way the Stratosphere is 108 stories. If the Empire State Building is 18.24 steps per floor. Using that ratio, the Stratosphere would be 80 floors.
I think there is a difference between "Story" and "Floor". I.E. Since the stratosphere doesn't have actual floors, they just divide the height by a standard distance between stories - and that standard is probably less than the actual distance in buildings like the Empire State Building.
Just out of curiosity, what are the bail-out options if a climber can't make it?
Hopefully, the sleeves will be of equal length.
Quote: WizardThanks! The other day I did 200 flights on the stair machine at the gym to prepare.
Why don't they have stair machines that look
like miniature escalators. It would be a better
workout.
The Empire State Building is 1454 feet high and 102 floors. The Stratosphere is 1149 feet high. So, using the same ratio of feet to floors, the Stratosphere would be 80.6 floors high. It wouldn't surprise me if the distance from floor to ceiling in the Empire State Building is not as high as modern buildings. It seems old hotels at least tend to have low ceilings.
About the $500 sweatshirt, let's keep the pledges coming! Seriously, I have all the sweatshirts I need. Now that I've got my t-shirt the pressure is off.
Bob, get with it! I take it you haven't been to a gym in a while (said in a joking way).
Maybe one of the science people on the forum can explain why, but I find climbing those machines easier than real stairs. Same with running machines.
That is a good question about people that quit half way. They must have to walk down. Half way up would not be a good place to have a heart attack.
Quote: AyecarumbaOn the "escalator" machines, the treads are moving down, so you don't have to lift your weight the full height of the stair. It is easier than climbing real stairs.
Plus you don't have to turn right every few steps to take the next flight, so you can keep a steadier rhythm on a machine.
That is a VERY slight advantage, countered by the disadvantage of being on footing that is less steady than a real escalator, and much less steady than stairs.Quote: AyecarumbaOn the "escalator" machines, the treads are moving down, so you don't have to lift your weight the full height of the stair. It is easier than climbing real stairs.
And although you're not really lifting your weight, all the same muscles are involved in maintaining balance while "climbing." As a result, the workout is very nearly identical to stairs.
It's only if you support some of your weight on the handrails that you aren't getting a full workout.
Quote: Wizard
Bob, get with it! I take it you haven't been to a gym in a while
Last gym membership expired in '96 and I
got no plans. If they had these in '96 I
never saw them.
Quote: DJTeddyBearThat is a VERY slight advantage, countered by the disadvantage of being on footing that is less steady than a real escalator, and much less steady than stairs.
And although you're not really lifting your weight, all the same muscles are involved in maintaining balance while "climbing." As a result, the workout is very nearly identical to stairs.
It's only if you support some of your weight on the handrails that you aren't getting a full workout.
I have to disagree. The bulk of the work climbing real stairs is hefting our own body weight. On the machine, the work is mainly lifting the weight of your legs. It is somewhat equvalent to performing squats vs. jogging in place.
Think so?Quote: AyecarumbaI have to disagree. The bulk of the work climbing real stairs is hefting our own body weight. On the machine, the work is mainly lifting the weight of your legs. It is somewhat equvalent to performing squats vs. jogging in place.
Try it on two escalators - maintaining your position on an up escalator, and a down escalator.
I'll bet you say it's easier on the up escalator.
Quote: DJTeddyBearThink so?
Try it on two escalators - maintaining your position on an up escalator, and a down escalator.
I'll bet you say it's easier on the up escalator.
There's no escalator where the Wiz is gonna be !
I believe that the difference is in fact the fact that
you have done more work climbing the stairs, the
work being the distance x the weight that you have
moved vertically, ie the Wiz's body weight.
Quote: DJTeddyBearThink so?
Try it on two escalators - maintaining your position on an up escalator, and a down escalator.
I'll bet you say it's easier on the up escalator.
I'm not sure I'm following. It is easier to maintain your position on the up escalator... In other words, it is easier to walk backwards while the treads of the escalator move upward (you are facing the correct direction), or it is easier to walk down the same escalator (against what would be the correct flow)?
Think of my assertion this way, is it easier to squat 100 pounds 1,000 times, or walk up 1,000 escalator treads moving down?
I meant maintaining position while facing down on the up escalator is easier than maintaining position while facing up on the down escalator. A LOT easier.
As bizzarre as it may sound, I pretty much agree with both Ayecarumba and DJTeddyBear. Ayecarumba and JohnnyQ are correct that you don't really do any work against gravity unless you lift your weight a net vertical distance, while on the machines you are just trying to maintain position. DJ is correct that you can get a real workout on the machines and that it's easier to hold your own climbing down an up machine.
In my opinion, most of the "work" on a stair machine is expended toward the inefficiency of the process, plus the fact that you don't usually maintain your position -- you lift yourself a fraction of a stair height and then ride down. Gravity shoulld be giving energy back to you as you travel down, but it really goes into the machine rather than rejouvenating you.
For the record, it's been years since I've been on a stairmaster, or went the opposite direction on an escalator for any length of time.
As it happens, the venue where my poker league plays tonight has LONG escalators, and I tend to get there extra early. I.E. I'll have time to kill on empty escalators. I'll report back late tonight about it.
Quote: DJTeddyBearThanks Doc. It makes sense.
For the record, it's been years since I've been on a stairmaster, or went the opposite direction on an escalator for any length of time.
As it happens, the venue where my poker league plays tonight has LONG escalators, and I tend to get there extra early. I.E. I'll have time to kill on empty escalators. I'll report back late tonight about it.
Great, the comparison will be the exertion of walking up a real flight of stairs vs. the same number of steps maintaining your position facing the wrong way on the down escalator. If you have some buddies who can experience both, it would be helpful to get multiple opinions. It would also be fun to see a bunch of people all working out on the escalator. Be safe.
Quote: WizardI don't know that much about it, but the following day they do it again for the people with the best times in the first heat. I'd be honored to get that far. Remember, I was in the top 12% in the half-marathon for my age group. I'd be open to wagering on this somehow, but don't know what is a reasonable goal.
The course is described as 1,455 treads, 108 stories. According to the 2009 article linked below, and the event website FAQ, each flight is approximately 15 feet of vertical. There is a handrail, which I assume you can use.
The competition is limited to 400 participants. The top 50 from the first day will be invited back for a run-off the next day. Individual starts will be staggered every 30 - 45 seconds, and slower traffic should stay on the right to allow passing on the left.
Times will be measured by ankle chip.
No water allowed in the stairwell. And actually, nothing but a fanny pack with keys and wallet will be allowed past the pre-race metal detector.
Read an article (with picture) here.
Last year's winner finished in 7 minutes, 26 seconds. (3.26 stairs/sec) What would be a good finish time for the Wizard?
Holy crap!Quote: AyecarumbaLast year's winner finished in 7 minutes, 26 seconds. (3.26 stairs/sec)
I'd be shocked if I can get DOWN that fast!
Quote: AyecarumbaLast year's winner finished in 7 minutes, 26 seconds. (3.26 stairs/sec) What would be a good finish time for the Wizard?
Thanks for that information, good article.
The goal I'll set for myself is one tread (step) per second. That would be 24 minutes and 25 seconds.
