1,400 steps and it felt great!  Well, maybe not every floor–there were a few pauses to catch my breath, let my ears pop and drink some water that volunteers were handing out. The pauses were also to remind myself that pushing one’s limits is a good thing but going past them could defeat the purpose.  My time was 19:28 and I finished 15th in my division of women 50-59.  Training was key–both doing  the stairs in my building twice a week as well as one-hour workouts on Wednesdays and Saturdays, whenever possible, with  trainer Bayo who NEVER lets Jay or me get through a session without  pain as well as some good laughs.  And beyond my physical accomplishment I was so incredibly motivated by the donations from friends and family that raised over $850 for the American Lung Association to help save lives.

So what’s next?

Heart of the City 5 K Walk/Run

I think I’m going for something a little less strenuous.   I like the sound of A 5K with Heart.  It’s a dog-friendly Run/Walk race in downtown L.A. on Sunday, April 13th that will benefit California Hospital Medical Center.   I’m looking forward to a brisk spring  stroll that Jay, Coco and I can all do together with our downtown neighbors and visitors.  The route is a loop that starts in front of the hospital  at 1401 S. Grand Avenue, traveling along Grand Ave., 11th Street and Figueroa Street between 7th Street and Venice Boulevards.

The goal of the race is to raise funds for, and awareness of, California Hospital Medical Center which has been serving the needs of downtown Los Angeles since 1887…more on the value of the hospital in a separate post.  Heart of the City 5K participants, through support from their friends and colleagues will be contributing to  two priority projects: the acquisition of a state-of-the-art 128-slice CT scanner for faster, more detailed imaging with less radiation exposure, and the renovation of the 9th floor of the patient care tower which, according to the hospital website, will maximize comfort and convenience and create a more healing environment.

So if you’re in the mood to enjoy the streets of downtown L.A. with two and four-legged ambulators see you on Sunday April 13th!