Beware of the stadium stairs

I accepted a challenge the other day and climbed hundreds of steps in the University of Florida football stadium. The challenge centered around testing my cardiovascular strength. "Try it and see how hard it makes you breath," my sister said. So I tried. And my breathing became labored. I even had to slow down a few times to catch my breath. But I made it up all those stairs, and all the way back down too. And today, a few days after my feat, I realize the challenge wasn't all about breathing. It was also about my legs, my calves to be exact.

Right now, I can barely walk. Well, I can walk -- I just look like a waddling duck as I put one foot in front of the other. And as I contemplate my compromised state, I wonder just how some people do it -- how they conquer "stadiums" as they run and walk up and down, day after day. I guess it's just like any physical activity -- start slow and in time, the body becomes stronger. I did it with running. Once unable to run around the block, I can now log up to four miles at a time. It's called progress. Plain and simple. If I chose to continue stadium workouts, I'd no doubt become proficient at it. My knees may suffer over time, but my calf muscles would surely adjust.

I don't think stadium stepping is in my future. But if I ever take on the challenge again, I'll take it slow and steady. You should too -- if walking is something you really value.

For more on stadium cross training, click here.