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Being a senior who struggles to climb a dozen steps at home without running out of breath, I never believed I could conquer 2,500 steps at a baseball stadium without collapsing and ending up on the disabled list for the rest of the season.
Yet, I not only survived but also received a medal for my achievement as the oldest participant to finish the Big Climb. This event was a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the largest nonprofit funding organization for blood cancer research.
The Big Climb took place at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets, and boasted around 1,100 participants. Perhaps the Mets should consider inviting me back for Old Timers’ Day.
When I mentioned my age of 70 to Gabriella Cowlan, the organizer for Big Climb Metro New York, she was astonished and called me an inspiration.
“Maybe a perspiration,” I joked. “But I’m determined to sweat this one out.”
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Smiling, Gabriella, who is 26, wished me fun and reminded me to stay hydrated throughout the event.
My first clue that the Big Climb would be a tough challenge came when I received my official number, 9489, printed on a tag. The person at the registration table suggested writing the name of an emergency contact on the back.
“In case I need an ambulance?” I asked nervously.
“I’m sure you won’t need one,” he reassured me. “Good luck!”
Outside in the plaza, I observed many participants waiting their turn to climb the steps of the stadium. Groups started their climb in 15-minute intervals from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
My group wasn’t scheduled until 11:30, so I headed to the food booth and grabbed the last banana.
“Now I can say, ‘Yes, we have no bananas,'” I quipped to volunteer Joe Carbonaro, who chuckled and warned me not to slip.
A few moments later, an announcement instructed our 11:30 group, consisting of about 40 individuals, to gather at the entrance to Sections 516-517.
“Taking the elevator would be cheating, right?” I joked to group leader Tom Leyendecker.
“Absolutely,” he agreed. “But if you stumble, we’ll nudge you over the railing. There are people with shovels on the field.”
Like several others at the Big Climb, and within my family, Tom is a cancer survivor.
“I battled acute myeloid leukemia in 2012,” he shared. “And I’m still standing. That’s why I volunteer at events like this.”
Inside the stadium, our group congregated at the bottom of a short set of stairs leading to the stands. That’s where I met Betty Peek.
“Like peekaboo,” Betty introduced herself, revealing she is also 70.
“I’m 70 too!” I exclaimed. “When is your birthday?”
“In March,” she replied.
“Seems like I’m the oldest one here,” I remarked.
Betty smiled and said, “Let’s show these young ones what we’re made of.”
However, Betty outran me and passed me halfway through the challenging climb.
At one point, I reached a water station where volunteers were providing tired participants with small cups of refreshment.
“No beer?” I joked. “Sorry, all out,” a young woman responded with a grin. Cheerleaders with pompoms cheered us on.
Observing me panting, a young volunteer encouraged me, saying, “You can do it!” Another volunteer assured me, “You’re almost there.”
“Where? The hospital?” I quipped.
After half an hour, I finally descended the last set of stairs and crossed the finish line, holding the final spot among our group. Clara Leyendecker, Tom’s daughter, congratulated me and awarded me a blue medal.
“I thought we were going in alphabetical order,” I teased Clara.
“I am so proud of you!” Clara exclaimed while presenting me with the medal.
“This is even better than gold,” I joked, pleased that together we raised $385,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, where donations are accepted on their website: LLS.org.
Before leaving, Gabriella congratulated me, saying, “You did an amazing job.”
“I feel fantastic,” I replied. “But when I get home, I plan to climb those twelve steps and take a nap.”
Jerry Zezima is a humor columnist for Tribune News Service. You can reach him via email at JerryZ111@optonline.net and visit his blog at jerryzezima.blogspot.com.
