Check out these training and nutrition tips from our friends at GYMGUYZ!
Also check out the training series created by Fleet Feet:
We’ve also assembled great training tips for Hustle Chicago® stair climb, provided by past climbers.
- Once or twice a week punctuate your workout with a number of higher intensity bursts. This will help condition your body and mind for “the burn.” This type of workout also burns more calories than a moderate workout of the same duration. For example, complete a 10-20 minute warm-up followed by 10 x 1 minute hard & 1 minute easy and a 10-20 minute cool-down.
- Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator.
- Experiment with your clothing, shoes, and accessories before the event. There is nothing worse than finding out your lucky shirt chafes you on floor 35. You may want to try a dissolvable lozenge strip to aid in those dry stairwells.
- Be consistent. Working out 3 or 4 times a week the 4 weeks prior to the event will be much more beneficial than pulling two-a-days the 3 days before.
- Be smart. No one cares if you complete a world record time in practice, Leave something in the tank for the big day.
- Don’t neglect the upper body. Pulling on the handrails with your arms is perfectly acceptable and just as important as pushing with your legs.
- Fuel well. Try to eat some carbs and protein within a half-hour of your workouts. You’ll feel much better in the next workout because you’ve fueled your body for adaptation.
- Stay hydrated. Good hydration practices will speed recovery from workouts and prepare you for your best possible experience on the day of the event.
- Don’t get psyched out. Yes 94 flights (or 52 for that matter) on foot is crazy, but why would you be doing it if it weren’t? You can do it. We believe in you. Somewhere in the first 3rd you’ll start to feel like you’re drowning. Just put your head down and pull with your arms and you’ll be feeling better soon!
Gear Recommendations
- Synthetic or Merino wool socks
- Body Glide!!
- Cough drops or dissolvable lozenge strips
- A tested (not brand new) pair of running shorts
- A tested (not brand new) t-shirt or singlet
- Sweatband/hat/visor