Let’s Climb! Fight for Air Climb - 2026 recap

Yes, I did it again.

It’s not like I’m a glutton for punishment. I definitely have a zest for taking on challenges, though. You know, especially the ones that others may shy away from. 

Such was the case on Sunday, March 29th. I found myself back in downtown Des Moines, with 79 total flights of stairs awaiting my legs, heart, and lungs. 

Affiliated with the American Lung Association, the Fight for Air Climb takes part in numerous cities across the United States (this was the 23rd year for the Des Moines venue). The event raises funds for research, education, and advocacy for clean air and lung health. 

Most know this wasn’t my first rodeo on the stairs. I first took to the stairs in 2013, and I have gone back every year except for 2019 (when I was in DC for the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile) and in 2020 (when the Climb had to go virtual, leaving me to climb at home on my own stairway). I also climbed the Chicago venue in 2014. If you care to read about the previous Iowa climbs, you can check out the recaps ... 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023,  2024  and 2025 (you're welcome).

Ready to climb!

When they named this event the Fight for Air Climb, they weren’t kidding!

Hot stairwells. Heavy breathing. Trashed leg muscles. But a finish line like none other. 

There’s much to love and respect about fighting for that air, all for the sake of those who need it most. Many struggle with lung health, and it’s for them that I (and numerous others) return to the stairwells every year. 

This year, my friend Carol eagerly joined me. Also a fellow runner, cyclist and general fitness aficionado, this was her first time doing the Climb. 

We met at the hosting site, the Wellmark YMCA, shortly before 8:00. We had our race packets in-hand, bibs pinned-on, and were in line well before 8:30. A short while later, our wave was escorted through the Des Moines skywalk, en route to the start line. 

Building - 1 EMC Insurance Companies

15 floors (371 steps)

Climb time 3:55

The first building was the EMC Insurance Companies office building, giving us 15 floors (371 steps). As I have said in previous years, it’s really tough pacing oneself in an event such as this. The first building is especially challenging as there is all the “get going” mojo. It may have been due to misinformation, but the volunteers were allowing everyone into the EMC stairwell in no particular order. Usually the climbers are spaced apart in 10 or 15-second intervals (to prevent over-crowding), so this first stairwell was a crowded mess. Granted, this was very much a first world problem, LOL, but it did make for a lot of frustration in trying to pass the slower climbers on the way to the top.

Within the first few flights of stairs, my throat was already feeling dry. A few flights later, I could feel perspiration running down my neck. My breathing was labored, and my legs were feeling the strain of taking the steps in 2-step intervals. Even though I had trained for the past couple months, my over-zealous start (and the overcrowded stairwell) were wreaking a bit of havoc. Nonetheless, finishing the 15th flight of stairs felt like a substantial conquest. 

Upon finishing each building’s climbs, the participants have to take the elevator down, back to the skywalk. There are numerous volunteers everywhere, helping direct everyone to their appropriate buildings. Carol and I both grabbed some water and took our time making our way to the Hub Tower. 

Building - 2 Hub Tower (first attempt)

16 floors (324 steps)

Climb time 3.18

By the time we entered the Hub Tower, we’d had a chance to rehydrate and recover (somewhat, LOL). A strategy I’d learned, in my early years as a stair-climber, was to utilize the hand rails. Grabbing the rails allows for a little bit of upper-body power to “pull” yourself up, thus reducing some of the strain on your legs. Also, I try to take the steps in 2-step intervals, which allows for fewer steps. Since I’m a tall gal, taking the steps ‘“by-two” is actually easier than climbing twice as many “single” steps.

Anyways, with these strategies in place, Carol and I made our way to the top of 16 floors with a slightly better time than the first building (which “only” had 15 floors). Also, I think we were pacing ourselves better after starting out too fast in the first building.

Building - 3 Hub Tower (second time)

16 floors (324 steps)

Climb time 3:24

After finishing the Hub Tower, we had to ride the elevator back down, and get back in line to climb those 16 flights of stairs a second time. By now, we were starting to see more and more climbers going slower and slower. The stairwells were continuing to feel more warm as well (and we definitely had more “glistening and glowing” going on).

Climbing the Hub Tower twice affords the opportunity to see all the volunteers twice. Truly, there are SO MANY volunteers, not only assisting with directions, or handing out water, but many are simply there to cheer on all the climbers. Another perk of climbing the stairway a second time was the chance to grab a few pics of favorite posters.

Building - 4 Ruan Building

32 floors (637 steps)

Climb time 7:28

At long last, the final building! I have always found it interesting that the final building of the Climb is the tallest. I am always amazed, as well, that this last building seems to feel easier than the other three even though it has twice as many floors to climb.    

Much like running a long-distance race, there does come a point where your body just kind of assumes a bit of a robotic state of mind. You just kind of go through the motions, you keep your focus on the current set of stairs, you control your breathing best as you’re able, and try to remember why you’re there: for the sake of others, and because YOU can.

Upon finishing the last stairwell, and crossing the last timing mat, there’s an elaborate arch to walk through…only to be greeted by (yet) more volunteers as well as fellow climbers. 

Whew! We did it!

 

It turns out Carol and I both placed fourth in our respective age divisions! I think I’ve placed 5th before, and have made it to the top 10, but this fourth-place was a nice achievement. Had I not paused for those photo ops of the posters, I may have sneaked-in a 3rd place AG, but oh well. The world will never know.

For swag, all participants receive a cotton shirt, as well as the finisher medal. 

A few things worth noting:

**The Fight for Air Climb is a national event, with local venues in numerous cities throughout the US. You can find a nearby Climb by clicking HERE.

**While there are four buildings, participants can elect to climb just one, two or three of them (but they do have to climb them in sequence, and have to climb all four to be eligible for awards). 

**Like with running/walking and road races, you do not need to be in optimum physical condition to participate. There are people of every shape, size, and fitness level climbing the stairs. You can go fast or slow; all four buildings or just one.

**There is a $100 fundraising minimum to participate, so it's pretty neat seeing all of the climbers come together for such a great cause.  

**My fundraising page is still open for a short while; if you'd like to donate to the cause, click HERE

As mentioned, I look forward to this event every year. I don't take my fitness or my health for granted. Climbing all those steps, in honor of those who can't, is a small gesture to encourage fitness (as well as fundraising for the American Lung Association...on Climb day, there was already over $192,000 raised from the Des Moines event).

So, that’s another Climb in the books. I know I’ll be back next year, and Carol has already said she will too (I’m not the only crazy one, LOL). 

What say you? Would you ever consider pinning on a bib and climbing some stairs?

I’m linking this with Jenny and Jenn for the TuesdayTopics Linkup. 

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