Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Elevator

I was walking back to the office from lunch at the Macaroni Grill. Three of my coworkers were walking with me but since I have been taking the stairs every time I go back to the sixth floor I saw no reason to get on the elevator with them. Instead I thought this would be an opportunity to test my willpower. My coworkers boarded the elevator and I bolted to the stairs.

There are 103 steps to the sixth floor - I took under 60 steps (taking them two at a time where I could and sling-shotting my body across the landings to not lose momentum). I arrived out the door on the sixth floor to see the elevator door opening with my coworkers inside. I didn't taunt them for taking the elevator... I saw no need to rub it in... actually... I couldn't taunt them.

I met my coworkers gasping for air unable to say more than one word at a time. I did not appreciate them laughing at my accomplishment. I was proudly staggering to the office at the end of the hall - leaning on it only briefly. I sat down in my chair so hard that I almost missed it - I don't even know how I would recover from that! I got back in my office just in time to postpone a conference call under the premise of "I can't talk right now" (I could barely even type).

So - that was yesterday. Today, my boss did the same thing and I finally saw how funny it was to have someone stagger into the office unable to breath, talk or do anything productive. He came in our office (we share an office) and sat in his chair and proceeded to postpone his conference call.

At a company I previously worked for (with my current boss) we had a tradition for Friday afternoons called "The feats of strength" (I always lost especially since one of my coworkers could end the competition by sitting cross-legged and pushing himself into a handstand).

And you thought being a software developer was easy. This gives a whole new meaning to "extreme programming".

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Getting in Shape

So I decided to take some steps to get into better shape (personally, I don't mind the shape I am in - but apparently that is not just my decision). I guess the general consensus is that one should be able to walk to the mailbox without passing out.

Anyway, I have some steps I am taking to get back into shape. Actually there are a lot of steps - 6 flights of them. My plan to start out with is to take the stairs up to my office every time I go up to my office - which is twice a day (unless I forget something and have to go back to the car).

My first day I tried this turned out to be a rather intense workout. First - I took the bus to work which is 2/10 of a mile from my apartment. Then walked from the stop to my building (1/10 mi). Then, why not start off my plan with a bang - I decided to run up the six flights of stairs to my office. I was pretty successful - until I almost passed out in the stairwell at about the fourth floor. Using mostly arm strength, I managed to pull myself to the sixth floor and I plopped down in my chair. I did not stop coughing until halfway through a call with a customer.

So, my boss wants to have an off site meeting with me so we could talk about some designs without interruption. We walked back to the mall (1/10 mi) and got coffee. Then we walked around the mall a few times (1 1/2 mi). Needless to say I did not climb the stairs back up to the office. But at lunch I was asked to go out to lunch with the VP and my boss. So - back to the mall to "Blue C Sushi" (1/2 mi) and then roll my way back to the office.

I will try to keep up my daily workout regimen - though, I should probably work up to running the stairs - that way I can actually make it to my desk without collapsing by the printer.