STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!

Keep checking in for updates on our team.

10-10-10 Kili Climb to Kill Tumors

In October 2010, 6 members of the Gold's Gym big climb team will tackle a REAL "big climb" as they pursue to summit the "Roof of Africa" on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Follow team captain Rebecca Dufek and Gold's Gym Big Climb team members Redmond gym personal trainer Merrie Vieco, Pedro Vieco, Chris Pierard, Shane Pierard, and Harley Dufek as they aim to reach the top on 10-10-10. The date is not only of historical significance but is also the 1 year anniversary of Skip's passing and 10 years after the dream of climbing Kilimanjaro for NF2 awareness was conceived while Rebecca and Harley were on their honeymoon. Skip will definitely be there with them in spirit!!!!

Like her friend Skip, Rebecca, her grandfather, and a 3rd cousin were diagnosed with various forms of blood cancer. Rebecca is the only remaining survivor, now surpassing 17 years of remission for Hodgkin's Lymphoma - the same cancer that Rebecca's inspiration and Everest/7 summit climber Sean Swarner was stricken with as a child. (visit www.cancerclimber.org to read more about Sean's story)

Although Rebecca was fortunate to sustain a long remission from blood cancer, her life has not remained tumor free. As a matter of fact, it has been very far from tumor free as numerous benign yet slowly growing tumors were found within her brain and spine as the result of a genetic disorder known as Neurofibromatosis, more specifically type 2 (NF2) in Rebecca's case where tumors primarily occupy the central nervous system.

To date, Rebecca has undergone one radiosurgery and two brain surgeries for 6 of the multiple brain tumors. The side effects incurred have been complete deafness, loss of balance function, several vision impairments, and facial paralysis affecting the ability to eat, drink, smile, kiss, and keep the right eye protected from drying out.

As with cancer, Rebecca has known several people who have died and lost loved ones from both NF1 and NF2. While Rebecca and her team embark on this dangerous and challenging adventure, the Seattle Producer Cesari Direct will be making a movie documentary of their trek called "The Perseverence Factor" with anticipated release in 2012. Through the movie, Rebecca and Harley's vision is to bring awareness to the world of NF, cancer, deafness, disability, challenged athletes, and perseverence as well as to inspire.

To learn more of this upcoming adventure and to donate, please visit:

To Donate
www.killatumor.org

Help Stop NF2 Foundation
www.helpstopnf2.org

Climbing Itinerary
www.climbfornf2.org



Details on how to join the team for the Seattle Big Climb 2011 coming in November.

Big Climb 2010 Wrapup

Well we all had a fantastic time this year and are excited for Big Climb 2011!

We were successful in raising $3,310 to help end blood cancer! Thank you to all the wonderful donors who contributed their support to us and the team for their effort!

Day of the event report:

It turned out to be a lovely day without rain in the NW although the forecast called for it. That certainly helps in your motivation to savor the view when you reach the top and also at the start as you line up outside to enter the stairwell.

From past events I knew there would be crowds of people making it difficult to locate each other. Therefore I chose a meeting spot that I knew for certain would be there and brought a gold mylar balloon with yellow stars so everybody could see me in the mass of people. I had chosen to meet in front of the bone marrow typing booth and to our luck, it was the only booth on the second floor away from the crowd and the first thing you encountered from the street entrance! So we had an easy time meeting together as a team shortly before our start time.

We all anxiously donned our Gold's Gym shirts, bib numbers, timing chips for the racers, slapped a photo of Skip our team honoree on our backs, and it was already time to line up! Riding the escalators down we were all pumped up and we got some nice pictures (check out the picassa slide show).

Before we knew it, I started out our team by being the first to enter the stairwell. They started each of us about 5-15 seconds apart. All 3 trainers immediately passed me within the first 10 floors! LOL

We had 11 racers and 7 climbers. Some of us were battling illness but we all gave it our very best shot! All I can say is that I was incredibly relieved to reach the top floor and IMMEDIATELY scouted out a water bottle. ;-)

The view was magnificent! While I waited for the rest of the racers and climbers to finish, the group who had completed the climb sauntered down to the recovery room on the 40th floor for oranges, apples, bagels and more bottled water while still taking in the marvelous view and sun peaking through the clouds.

When the climbers and I met back up with the team in front of the bone marrow typing tables, several were filling out applications for bone marrow donor matches! :D Isn't that incredibly nice?

From there, we headed over to the Pyramid Alehouse for our after event celebration reservations. They were wonderful with accommodating our large group in a special room with a long buffet style table. The food was great as well as the company! We had a lot of fun and look forward to next year!

If you have interest in being on the team with us next year, drop me an email at bluediverbeck at yahoo dot com with the subject heading "big climb".

Make sure to check out our photos at
http://picasaweb.google.com/103366840774496528971/20100322BigClimb?feat=email#

P.S. - Congratulations to our top male racer David Leach of the Bothell Gold's Gym with a time of 12:03 and our top female Racer Redmond Gold's Gym trainer Merrie Veico with a time of 12:08! Great job to both of you! You rock!

Be Golden Team

Congrats to everyone on the Be Golden team on your accomplishment of reaching the top and helping to raise funding to beat blood cancers! More to come soon!

If you would like to donate to our team efforts, please visit the link to our team page in the right margin of this page. Thank you! :D

Training for the Climb

What is the climb like and how does one physically prepare?

Truthfully before my first climb I was frightened and excited at the same time. My balance function had been severely destroyed due to brain tumors making stairs a scary experience for me. Further, I had been limited in hiking for a couple years and was not used to the elevation. However, I had built up my endurance by distance walking. My goal was not speed but just to make it to the top.

My fears about the climb dissipated once I discovered that the racers and climbers would be using seperate stairwells. I had terrible visions of being knocked down or trampled by people racing up to the top. I also pictured everyone starting at once like in a large marathon. That does not happen at all. Everyone starts a few seconds apart and enters the stairwell one at a time. Also, the stairways are very narrow where one can grab the handrails on either side for stability or help.

Is it very hard like running a 5 K, 10 K, or completing a marathon?

No, not at all which was another pleasant surprise to me. I had no idea how long it was going to take me to get to the top my first time. I entered the non-timing/non-competitive stairwell but timed myself on my watch. I was amazed how soon it was over compared to other events I have engaged in. I comfortably finished my climb within 15 minutes (and that is without being trained for elevation gain). My husband who has not done events and entered for the first time last year, finished in 17 or 18 minutes. In the brochure it says it could take 20-45 minutes for the climb.

How does one train for the climb?

I have found the best way to prepare is to routinely practice on the stairmaster at the gym (you know, the machine with revolving stairs). If you do not have access to a tall building to practice in, the stairmaster is an EXCELLENT simulator. Although you do not have the advantage of elevation gain, it helps you become accustomed to setting a pace for your climb. Seeing my goal is under 15 minutes, I use the stairmaster for 15-20 minutes. Level 8 will very comfortably get you to 69 floors within 15 minutes. Level 11 will take you 11 1/2 minutes to reach 69 floors and level 12 will take you 10 minutes 40 seconds. Usually, I will set it at the level I feel strong enough to complete the 69 floors, and then drop it down to level 8 or 10 for the remaining 15-20 minutes.

What muscles are used?

You will definitely feel a burn in your quadriceps. Squats and the leg extension machines are a good way to strength train these muscles in addition to the stair master. Of course, those are not the only muscles but the most primary (your glutes and calves will feel it too). I regularly strength train all these muscles anyway using the nautilus equipment at the gym. Lunges are excellent too but very difficult for me without help due to my balance dysfunction. If you are able to do them, I would highly reccommend it as well as step up exercises on the stands of various heights in the personal training section. Squats with a medicine ball are great too!

Getting ready for the elevation gain

While not necessary, it is helpful to prepare your lungs for the elevation gain. One of the best ways to do this of course is to actually get out there hiking! (And this year is the perfect time to do so as we have had a warm winter). The easy trails are ready! I have been out 4 times already. Tiger Mountain in Issaquah and Rattlesnake Mountain in North Bend are a reasonable altitude and are close by. They are in great condition right now! Both hikes can definitely be done within 3 hours. Rattlesnake is actually shorter and a lower elevation than Tiger Mountain. When you hike them, try your best to get into a comfortable pace where you keep going until you reach the top (only stopping breifly to take a sip of water or peel off a layer).

If you are unable to get out, the next best thing is to practice in a building if that is an option for you. Running is fantastic cardio training if you cannot hike and do not have a building to train in.

So it is as simple as that! You do not have to train, but getting prepared will make the experience more enjoyable for you and your body less sore the next day. Good Luck! :o)

Here is how to come join the fun!

Want an extra incentive to motivate you in the "Challenge"? Want to stretch yourself to see what your potential is? Or how about just some good clean fun with family and friends to partake in this rare and exciting opportunity? Climb to the top of the highest skyscraper on the west coast! Come share your team spirit in this thrilling adventure that is limited and only happens once a year.

Whatever your goals or reasons, I guarantee this event will get your adrenaline pumping and give your the sense of total satisfaction when you reach the top! You will forever look at the tower differently when you drive by and be overcome with pride for your accomplishment.

This is the first ever Gold's Gym team at the Big Climb. Being a part of it is making history and continuing to build upon the fine model that Gold's portrays.

To register for the team online, follow the step by step instructions below:


1) Page 1 - Visit this link to access our team home page:

http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/BigClimb/1143459793?pg=team&fr_id=1160&team_id=34923&JServSessionIdr004=3vps0icn02.app303b
Click on "Join Team" in red font in the dark grey box after our team name in the middle of the page. Our team name is Be Golden with Gold's Gym.

NOTE: Save $5 on your entry fee by using one of our Sponsor Discount Codes either online or by mailing them in.

Pyramid Brewing Company: Type in online or mail in the UPC code found on the case of these participating Pyramid 6-pack and 12-pack products (21 years and over only):

Apricot Ale 6- and 12-pack
Haywire Hefeweizen 6- and 12-pack
Thunderhead IPA 6- and 12-pack
Seasonal 6- and 12-pack
Variety 12-pack

Talking Rain: Type in online or mail in the UPC code found on any of Talking Rain's Sparkling ICE 1-liter bottles. (May be found at Bartell Drugs, QFC, Metropolitan Market, Red Apple, Thriftway, Top Foods, etc.) www.SparklingICE.com

Lake Union Wellness: Stop by Lake Union Wellness and ask the receptionist for the Big Climb discount code.

2) Page 2 - Select the racer (timed) or the climber (untimed) category.

Choose a fundraising goal (the minimum required is $50).

Click "Next Step" at the bottom of the page.

3) Page 3 - Select "New User" unless you have previously participated in a big climb event.

Click "Next Step"

4) Page 4 - Registration information

Fill in all the required categories marked by an * asterix (example is your name).

Choose to receive email from the LLS to get inportant Big Climb information and your start time.

Note: - If doing the climb in memory or honor of somebody with blood cancer, fill in their name. An address is optional if you would like a living honoree to be notified.

Select a shirt size.

Input your age.

Click "Next Step"

5) Page 5 - Read the terms and click on the box to agree.

Click "Next Step"

6) Page 6 - Fill in the billing information for your registration.

Click "Next Step"

7) Page 7 - Final Step! - Confirm your registration and billing info to submit.

CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a fine member of our exceptional team! Thank you for your participation and helping to fight blood cancer! :-)