I am fundraising for nature and wildlife
I have wanted to do this for about ten years, so I've decided it's finally time! You may know my love for views from high places - I have climbed things all over the world despite my fear of heights for that feeling when you get to the top and can just enjoy the view. How nice to do that for a cause I believe in so much :)
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I've committed to climbing the CN Tower in April to support WWF-Canada. I am totally up for this physical and fundraising challenge!
While I am doing my part, I am counting on you to help me reach my fundraising goal. The funds I raise will help support WWF-Canada's efforts to restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change.
Together we can Regenerate Canada.
My Achievements
Walking the talk
I self donated
Social Butterfly
I shared my page
50%
I'm 1/2 way there
100%
I reached my goal
Storyteller
I updated my blog
Setting goals high
I raised my target
Pack Leader
I am a team captain
Prize donor
I donated my prizes back
My Updates
Reflections on the Climb
Samedi 27th Apr
Climbing the CN Tower is more complicated than everyone thinks. Firstly, you rush to sign in at the Convention Centre which is truly mobbed (I understand why some people do advance sign-in!). I was lucky to be able to leave my coat and purse with my Mom and my roommate Rachel who got sunrise tickets to see me at the top. Otherwise, you have yet another crazy lineup to leave you personal effects. So by the time I took Mom and Rachel to get their tickets (this must be done before 8:30), and went through the Convention Centre to check in, and then back to the CN Tower, I had already done nearly 5000 steps. I was a bit concerned how that would affect my climb, since I had already expended a deal of energy. I sat on a bench and drank lots of water before heading in to the climb. This was an additional challenge I was glad I had looked up on the website earlier in the week and was not surprised for: they do not let you take anything on the climb, including a water bottle. I take a water bottle with me everywhere I go, even just down the street to the store. It is one of my strategies for mitigating my CFS symptoms. So many times, I have been saved by sitting somewhere and drinking water. I had to do my climb without it.
Those lovely volunteers were still really enthusiastic, despite being there since 6:00a.m. cheering people on. I got to tower around my 9:30 start time, scanning in circa 9:35. You have a few stairs before you reach your starting point. They log you into the system, and then they log you out at the top.
The CN Tower climb is a great equalizer. Whether you are short or tall, young or old, thin or not, fit or not, it is hard for everyone. I tend to take stairs at a run, or at least with quite a bounce in my step, so I concentrated really hard in those initial floors: NO RUNNING. People ran past me, and were shortly out of breath and having a hard time. I remembered my pace from the elliptical, which is really not exciting, but I knew it was sustainable. This is the first, and probably only time in my life, I was on equal footing with fit people, athletic types. This is a trial of endurance, and moderation.
It was still unreal to me, even when I finished. Because around floor 10, you are already tired. Everyone is tired. "I'm tired already," I thought. "How do I climb 134 more floors?" I still don't really know how I did it. It is so daunting and seemingly impossible, yet people do it every year. So I will share my winning strategies.
Firstly, I had told everyone I was taking frequent rests. I stuck to that. I stopped every 10 floors for a rest in the first half of the climb. At some point in the second half, I ended up switching to every 5 floors. I had made that bargain with myself sometime around floor 40 or 50: you might need to slow down later, but now, try to keep pace at 10 floors. This worked incredibly well. It was interesting to see that while you were getting more competent in some ways, from finding your rhythm and becoming accustomed to the stairs, by the time you were in those final flights, you were also more tired, so more rest was needful. Another thing I decided early, something initially I thought was not possible, is that I would sit down. I didn't see how sitting in the stairs would be feasible, given that you would be blocking people's way. But once I gave myself permission to do this, it was a game changer. I tried sitting with my legs crossed, but immediately at that initial stop on floor 40 or so, my legs said: "NO! OW! UNFOLD ME RIGHT NOW!" So I stretch my legs straight out in front of me on the platform and made sure there was room for other people to go by me. My legs were happy, and my energy recuperated really well. This is the cornerstone of life with CFS: almost any symptom can be relieved by lying down. This is the closest I was going to be to lying down in the CN Tower climb. I would just sit there to the point of even losing track of time a little, and then get up and keep going. I did this three times on my climb: circa floors 40, 90 and 120. I am convinced this was one of the key factors in my ability to complete the challenge.
Secondly, your mental state is the most important part of the climb. As my Mom said when she heard me describe how I did it at the CN Tower observation deck: this challenge is more mental than physical. Agreed! I just kept focusing on: put one foot in front of the other. One floor at a time. This is how you live your live with CFS: one day at a time. Sometimes one hour at a time. This was a crucial advantage for me, since I practice this daily. Take the breaks; feel good about taking the breaks. I told myself, and many people I passed: Slow and steady wins the race! Unlike my climbs in other places, where tourists don't really talk to one another, the CN Tower climb is full of people cheering you on. From the people with pompoms at the base, to every climber who knows your struggle in the stairs, everyone was so kind and encouraging. When I would take stops to sit, people would ask if I was doing okay and tell me I was doing well. Paramedics placed every 15-20 floors did the same. I stopped at floor 50 or so and chatted with a paramedic who helped me pass the time on my break, and gave me a fist pump when I started climbing again. I shared encouragement in my turn, especially to anyone sitting - "You're doing a great job! Rest when you need to!" - and cheered hard for Team Tachycardia. I saw 2-3 of the team with their t-shirts and was so glad to meet someone with the condition I've had since I was 16. I told them, "Yay; I'm not the only one" and "You're awesome!" This galvinizes everyone and helps them take their steps. I ended up in the last third or so of the climb near a group. There was one member of the group who was the cheerleader. He was bouncing with energy and could've had a quicker time, but he kept telling his friends - ones he came with or met on the climb I couldn't tell - "you've got this!" and "one more floor, one more floor!" His energy was infectious, and we chatted on rests. When they were ahead of me, he would shout back, "You've got this, purple shirt!" The second time he did this, the women with him teased him and said, "What's her name?" He called down to ask, and I called back up. After that, he said "You can do this too, Brianna!"
The thing they don't tell you about the CN Tower climb is those extra steps. You take some to get to scan your bracelet at the beginning. When you hit Floor 144, you have a team of volunteers congratulating you, telling you that you are at the finish line. You scan your bracelet, and then they direct you to the "exit." Then you find more stairs. While everyone is reeling, and your body is screaming, "WHAT?!" at you, you have to rally for more. Keeping that positive attitude helps. While internally, I had that visceral "WHAT NOW?!", I said to my new buddies, "Bonus steps!" So you climb one floor, and a second, thinking that this is how you started, so it must just be two floors. You climb a 3rd. You climb to 5. The difficult part is not knowing where it ends. People get discouraged. I'm sure some of them were totally ready to swear. "It's okay, it's okay; we'll finish!" I said. You get to 10 floors, and are still perplexed, but finally you see that it's only floor more. I called down: "It's 11! It's 11 floors. Just one more! I can see the end!"
The website says you are photographed as you get to the top. So on floor 143, I reminded people to smile. I didn't know if that's where the picture was, or once you hit the observation deck. So after climbing the additional floors, I reminded people to smile again. I think that is the moment in my photos of the day I like the most: me walking towards Mom and Rachel with a smile. They were smiling, and Rachel was holding up the best poster I've ever seen. It had flowers and butterflies all around green stairs, and had a Latin inscription. That was a total surprise, because last I checked, Rachel studies Greek and German texts! The text read: "Brianna ad altiora tendit." Mom finally asked, "So what does it mean?" "Brianna reaches for the higher things." It perfectly describes my love of high places. I was so touched.
Since I had the best supporters and poster, the local reporter asked if she could interview me. I was in a bit of shock, just thinking I hoped I could say something intelligent after my effort. It did not end up on the news, but it was a thrilling moment nonetheless. I got water after this, furnished by volunteers. I got a picture with the group I made that last third of the climb with, including those gruelling and unnecessarily cruel extra steps. I asked for another water bottle and went to sit for awhile.
There was some sunshine when I first got to the observation deck, but it disappeared quickly. The mist starting rolling in, and I was disappointed; I had hoped it would not be like that during my climb. We could see it snowing, which was so strange, since it was above 0. Since I finished near the tail end of things, the volunteers packed up not long after I reached the top. I had a quick phone call with Dad and Clara to let them know I made it, and to share part of the experience with them. Then Rachel suggested we head down to not miss out on my t-shirt. I really did want my t-shirt for the climb, but I was torn. The sun was coming back out, and I had only seen the view of the waterfront, not the city. I tried to convince myself a few points during the day that it was not really worth hanging out at the top due to the weather, which was absolutely nuts that day. If I had a do-over of the day, this is the only part I would change: spend some more time basking in the triumph at the top.
We took the elevator down, which was much cooler than I remembered. You go from being at a bird's eye view where even things like planes from the Billy Bishop Island airport are tiny, back to human scale in about 58 seconds. I popped into the Convention Centre which had it back doors now open to receive climbers the short way, and found out that my time was 73 minutes and 52 seconds. I had realised early on that I was not going to make the average 30-45 minute time. While that was a bit disappointing, I let it go very fast. "I'll get there when I get there," I told myself. Finishing was the important thing, not how fast I finished. I was proud of this time, which was written on my t-shirt by a small and clever helper who was there with his Mom at the volunteer table. I was also especially proud of my strong finish, with a smile. Mom and Rachel mentioned that a lot of climbers looked exhausted, sweaty, disheveled, and in shock (which I explained must be due to the extra 11 floors they were not counting on!), but I finished walking slowly with a smile, just as I would have wished.
We all piled back into the subway and headed for Cafe Landwer, a place I had been curious to try and heard great things about. Pretty well as soon as we stepped in the door, it started hailing outside. We were really grateful to be inside and getting brunch. I had French toast with berry compote, whipped cream, and maple syrup, as well as a Belize mimosa. Everything was delicious and it was such a nice way to celebrate my accomplishment. I had had illusions of walking back after that, but I had told myself that I could also take the subway if I was tired. Finally, it seems, I got tired. Rachel and Mom said it was quite legitimate to be tired and take the subway back. It was also legitimate to have a nap, which I did. People asked me if I was really tired, or if my legs hurt afterwards (or the day after), and that was not the case. I've gotten up pretty well every day this week at a usual time and put in a usual day. I'm very pleased with this result too. It is important when you have CFS not to do something that will give you consequences for hours or days afterwards. I did this epic climb, and I did not have consequences. As Rachel said a few weeks ago: wouldn't that be an awesome way to kick your CFS in the face? Yes, yes it would!
My theme song for occasions like this is Van Morrison's song Sitting on Top of the World for the movie Evelyn. I often think of it in my high places, and when I was not totally focused on putting one foot in front of the other, I was thinking of the lyrics: "I've been up, and I've been down, almost level with the ground", "I'm singing my song, sittin' on top of the world, sittin' on top of the world, I'm sittin' on top of the world", "I'm movin' on, up that mountainside" "And I'm makin' my own dreams, Sittin' on top of the world! Yes I am!" These are the moments I feel my resilience of spirit and celebrate it.
Thank you to everyone who has been encouraging me the whole way. I was thinking about you on my climb and when I was sitting at the top of the CN Tower, where I made one of my long-time dreams come true.
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Loving High Places
Samedi 13th Apr It is one week until my climb! I found a youtube clip of news coverage from last year, and I am feeling inspired.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8E4EZd9gmQ&t=6s&ab_channel=CityNews
I have now achieved 10000 steps on the elliptical, so I am feeling confident that I can tackle all 1776 steps at the CN Tower, with lots of rest of course. I'm thinking of the feeling you get when you reach the top.
I spoke of my love of high places and the view you get from up there. I have been on ferris wheels, the most daring ride I can do; when the fear of heights subsides a little, I enjoy the view. I have seen a few heights in different places, including ones I had to climb to. Here are some highlights:
UK - London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral Dome, Magdalen College Tower, Saxon Tower, Glastonbury Tor, Caerfilly Castle, Conwy Castle, Snowdonia, Salisbury Cathedral Tower climb
UK - London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral Dome, Magdalen College Tower, Saxon Tower, Glastonbury Tor, Caerfilly Castle, Conwy Castle, Snowdonia, Salisbury Cathedral Tower climb
Ireland - Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar, Belfast Victoria Square Mall, Kilkenny round tower, Skellig Michael
France - Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame tower, Mont Saint Michel
Italy - Saint Peter's Basilica Dome, Gianicolo, Santa Maria del Fiore bell tower & dome, Duomo di Milano, Monte Gargnano
Netherlands - Utrecht Dom Tower
Germany - Berlin Cathedral Dome
France - Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame tower, Mont Saint Michel
Italy - Saint Peter's Basilica Dome, Gianicolo, Santa Maria del Fiore bell tower & dome, Duomo di Milano, Monte Gargnano
Netherlands - Utrecht Dom Tower
Germany - Berlin Cathedral Dome
Near Halfway
Dimanche 24th Mar I'd hoped to update more often, but the semester has been busy! I had thought of a title "Week 3 is for 300", because my first milestone was to increase my steps from 200 to 300. It was difficult at the beginning given how high my heart rate was running. I've been increasing slowly to stay safe; I can still go up to about 170 beats per minute at times, so I do not want to exceed that.After that initial day at the gym, I was able to get on the elliptical without being so dizzy afterwards. That was my other important test: will the dizziness lessen or pass altogether? Luckily, it went away immediately, so I was able to continue. I counted the first few times in the gym how long it took to take my steps, and I was at a pace of about 100 steps per minute. So my next progression was to stop counting, and just select a number of minutes. I had been about at 3 minutes for 300 steps, so my next increase was to 5 minutes.
My latest increase has been to 7 minutes, and I have discovered the setting on the elliptical that confirms that I am still taking between 90 and 95 steps per minute. When I count the steps up to the gym, I am definitely at 700 steps all the same. This means that if I double that - 1400 steps - I am close to the 1775 steps in the CN Tower. I am feeling encouraged, and will try to do 10 minutes on the machine next week, putting me over the halfway point.
I'm really pleased at how my endurance has been progressing slowly but surely and really looking forward to the climb!
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Day 1
Lundi 22nd Jan So day 1 was meant to be least week, but sometimes it is harder when the weather is chillier to get out to the gym. I was determined to begin the week right, so I went to the Athletic Centre for the first time in some years. I was newly cheered by receiving a donation this morning which puts me over my minimum: it's now official, I am taking this climb!So I inquired about a stair machine, and was directed to the elliptical. I have always avoided the elliptical machine because of the amount of motion it generates. Certainly, there are many benefits, particularly how it is gentle on your joints, but I have always been wary. I found out today: with good reason. Because of the up-and-down motion, my brain processes this as everywhere all around. I still feel a bit like a bobblehead even though it has been a whole hour since I got off the machine. I am glad I made myself start very slowly.
I noticed there were about 50-60 stairs to get up to the machines, so I did some bonus! On the elliptical, after spending a couple of minutes figuring how how to start it, I took 100 steps. That had been my starting goal. I wanted something modest to gauge my capbilitiy. 100 steps felt fairly fine. I waited; I counted 60 seconds. I did 100 more steps. I was a bit more tired. My heart rate was registering in at 160, which is nearly the top of my cardio zone. I told myself: this is where you stop. I am very glad I did, because I soon found out that my legs were wobbly and I was beginning to get dizzy. The dizziness socked in seriously about 10 minutes later. This has been my main effort for today and I am now letting my body rediscover which way is up.
One of two things will happen: either I will build up some tolerance to the elliptical mahcine, as I did with the treadmill in my early 20s, or I will not. Motion is still one of my bigger challenges, even with treatment. I will give it some more time and see if my body can adjust. Otherwise, I will seek out a stair machine, where my head will stay much more level.
Overall I am pleased: I not only reached my 100 step goal, but surpassed it. I had thought to myself: if you take 100 stairs on your first day, then you only need to multiply that just over 17 times. Now that I have taken 200 steps, I can tell myself that I need to do that just shy of 9 more times. Suddenly I feel really good about climbing the tower in April! Share
Thank you to my Sponsors
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Normand & Josie
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B. Victor
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Clara & Sunny
Good luck with your climb! We'll be rooting for you!
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Brian Doherty
Good luck!
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Margaret & Claude
Congratulations Brianna on participating in this event.
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Sarah Elliott
You got this!
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Jacques Daigneault
Keep going
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Catherine Berthiaume
What a cool challenge for a great cause! Congratulations, Brianna! I'm so excited for your climb, and I'm so proud of you! Robin and I are cheering for you today xoxo
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Cora Endean
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