When I got my place nearly seven years ago, I opted for the top floor in our building. The floor plans are essentially the same in each unit, but the fourth floor (the top) has the highest ceilings. I think they’re 13′ feet or something. Whatever – I thought it was cool.
One of the primary maxims of exercise is that if you’re constantly doing the same activity, repeatedly, over time, it should become easier. This is due to muscles rebuilding and getting larger, and the cardiovascular system working more efficiently.
But this just doesn’t really happen for me.
I bike every day to and from work – about twenty miles roundtrip. I’ve biked in all sorts of winds and conditions, and I take the same path along the lake every day. Yet, when I get to work, each time, I am completely wiped. I’m not really in shape, mind you, but still.
But that’s a workout and burns a few calories, so I’m not complaining. Hard cardio in the morning and after work is a good thing.
What I don’t understand is this…
How – after seven years of climbing four flights of stairs each day, multiple times a day, has that not become any easier?
It’s not like I hire some foreigner to carry me up half the time (they cost too much). There are no elevators. Yet each time, whether I’m carrying loads of groceries or simply the mail, by the time I reach my door, I’m winded.
I read a story of an overweight dude who started marathon training by starting to walk from his house to his mailbox. Ten months later he was able to run the whole damn thing.
I’m not overweight. I eat decent. I don’t smoke.
Why is it so incredibly hard to walk up four flights of stairs? How have my muscles not adapted?
Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s just hard and probably always will be. Here’s my advice…
Don’t assume that whatever is inconvenient will change. Or, morever, you will not adapt to make that change more bearable.
I feel like this is solid advice. If your boss is a dick, he’ll always be a dick. If your car pulls to the left, get used to it. That rash you get each year on your inner thigh is coming back this October.
I think the trick is to learn how to co-exist with the discomfort of things that don’t change. I’ve spent way too much time thinking that the stairs will get easier. I’m always disappointed when they suck fat balls. So, I give up.
Stairs, you have beaten me. I bow to your power.
It is really awesome when I order food to have the delivery guys panting hard at my door. I give them the knowing nod. But secretly I’m laughing at them for going through my pain. Then I usually leave a crappy tip.
