Firefighters ready for grueling fundraiser

A marathoner will say the toughest stretch of a race feels as if "a monkey jumped on my back."

But when you race straight up the Columbia Center wearing at least 50 pounds of firefighting gear, it's like "another monkey is jumping on your back every five floors," says Zach Schade, two-time defending champion in the annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb.

That won't dissuade Schade or about 1,500 other firefighters from 25 states, three Canadian provinces, New Zealand and Germany from raising money Sunday for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

They will rush up 69 stories — that's 1,311 steps — to the observation deck of Seattle's tallest building, the 76-story Columbia Center. Since its inception in 1992, the event has raised more than $2.1 million.

Schade, a 41-year-old Seattle firefighter who works out of Station 8 on Queen Anne, has not only won the event the past two years (racing to the top in 11 minutes, 30 seconds and 11 minutes, 37 seconds, respectively) but is the only Seattle firefighter to have won the event during its first 17 years.

His strategy? "I just try to not slow down too much while trying to overcome the pain."

He's participated in the event seven times and learned valuable lessons. One is not to start too fast because there will be no second wind, your legs will begin to feel like lead and your heart will pound.

It's important to find a steady rhythm, he says. He begins by climbing two steps at a time, switching to single steps a bit higher than halfway.

"I've always been competitive and I did it the first time just to test myself," he says. "Then I got to know about the people the sponsors are trying to help and am happy to help them raise money."

Schade, who recently won the 108-flight "Climb the Strat" event at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to benefit the American Lung Association, puts in the sweat equity to prepare.

Often, he climbs stairs — 290 of them — near Interstate 5 while wearing a weight vest before going to work. He also bicycles and runs on a treadmill while wearing weights.

With all this stair climbing, you'd think he'd be known for massive calves and quads. He laughs and says, "sore calves and quads."

Racing up 1,311 steps in less than 12 minutes sounds hard enough, but imagine doing it in full bunker gear and breathing apparatus. Schade says the mask can make him feel a bit claustrophobic sometimes, but it also dispenses cool air, which helps.

The Scott Firefighter Stairclimb begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

For more information or to contribute to a participating local firefighter or firehouse, visit www.FirefighterStairclimb.org

Richard Seven: 206-464-2241 or rseven@seattletimes.com