CN Tower 2007

Friday

Serdic, Foran Object, RJA and I left work about noon on Friday to begin our trek to Toronto. The drive was enjoyable, with a great deal of banter and jokes, many of which were distinctly not of a politically correct character. We arrived in Toronto and found our way to our hotel about six and were checked in and good to go by six thirty.

I'd brought a cot, just in case it was required, but Serdic was able to get us a room with three single beds for about the same price we had been quoted for two (RJA was staying elsewhere).

Once we were settled in, we decided to go do someething. We had reservations at the Spaghetti Factory for 7:30, so we headed over there about an hour early, enjoying their lovely bar area, sitting in huge comfy chairs and drinking a pitcher of draught Creemore Springs.

After about an hour of that, B-rad and the Mrs. as well as RJA's sister Alex arrived, and we found our table. Dinner was top notch and the company was witty, welcoming and entertaining. (Unfortunately I was later to learn that Alex has a very unfortunate lack of taste when it comes to blogging ... oh well.)

The night's sleep was not restive. I think someone was engaging in construction in the room next door. With a steam shovel.

Saturday

Up at 6. RJA arrived at 6:30. At the site by 7.

Lots of time in lines. Lines for everything. Fortunately, at 7 we were ahead of the rush and the lines were manageable. We were able to get to the tower without too much trouble. Serdic, unfortunately, got dinged for trying to carry a camera up with him and had to go back to check in his bag and re-do all the lines.

The tower climb itself was tough, but I thought I did well. I finished with a time of 23 minutes 20 seconds, with no breaks or stops. RJA, Foran Object and Serdic all beat their goals handily.

We eventually got out of the tower (more lines) and got our T-shirts (yet more lines), and then back to the hotel for showers and checking out. RJA, needed elsewhere, bid us adieu, and Serdic treated Foran Object and I to breakfast at the Golden Griddle.

The drive back to Ottawa was quieter, as we'd all been on the go for quite a while at that point. We stopped in Gananoque to visit with Serdmom and Serddad, both of whom are excellent hosts and good folk.

Serdic dropped my sorry ass off at home about half past six, twelve hours after setting out for the CN Tower.

Next Year

I'm doing this again. This trip was an awesome experience. Kudos to RJA for getting us to do it, RJA and Serdic for organizing and reservations, and all the participants for their general awesomeness.

My legs were sore by the time I was done, but I don't think that stamina was my limiting factor. The flights are numbered (there are 144 of them) and I was able to speed up for the last 20-ish and sprint the last three. I think the biggest thing stopping me from breaking 20 minutes was my lack of familiarity with the tower. Now that I have a feel for the ground and the pace that I'll need, I think I can beat 20 minutes and maybe even threaten 15 with some training runs and cardio work.

And let's hear it for RJA, Foran Object and especially Serdic, all of whom blew their goals right out of the water (RJA - goal: less than 20 minutes, time: 14:42; Foran Object - goal: less than 40 minutes, time: 23:35; Serdic - goal: less than 1 hour, time: 51 minutes!) with outstanding runs in a very challenging endeavour. It wasn't easy but they stepped it up and got 'er done.

And we had an amazing time doing it.

I mean, hell - we climbed the CN tower today.