Let’s Take the Stairs…

On November 5, climbers will race up the 34 flights of stairs of Stamford’s tallest building to fundraise for the American Lung Association of New England’s goals of improving lung health and preventing lung disease. 

Michael Carozza, owner of , is working to build up the number of participants in Stamford this year and offering free or half-price classes at the gym for participants this fall.

Carozza lost his mother to ovarian cancer which has spurred him to take an active role in many regional events that blend fundraising and fitness. In addition to the Fight for Air Climbs, Carozza has participated in Spin Odyssey, the Damon Runyon Yankee Stadium Run, and The Rockefeller Center New York MS Society Stair Climb. Carozza participated in his first stair climb at the Rockefeller Center.

“Last year, Stamford hosted it at and it just made sense, I had a lot of people at the gym who enjoy doing this kind of thing and were up for the challenge,” Carozza said.

Beginning next week, Carozza Fitness will begin offering free conditioning classes to prepare for the Fight For Air Climb. Classes are free for anyone who signs up to participate in the Carozza Fitness team and half-price for anyone participating in the climb on their own or with another team.

Classes will take place on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm and Saturday afternoons at 4 pm for the next twelve weeks leading up to the climb.

“First thing is to work on is increasing aerobic capacity, then lower body strength and increasing power and speed,” Carozza said. “Classes will be a lot of high-intensity interval training, as well as sprinting, jumping, and running hills.”

The team from Carozza Fitness, one of the largest teams so far in this year's climb, will be climbing for their second year with a goal of raising $5,000 for the American Lung Association of New England.

“A lot of people hear 600 stairs and get a little freaked out, we had some people who walked it last year and it took them around fifteen minutes. It’s really something anyone can do,” Carozza said. “Last year, my biggest challenge was pacing myself, I think a lot of people come out a little too fast, now that I’ve done it before, I know what to expect."

Carozza knows that the challenge is well worthwhile, after all, all 12 team members from last year’s climb plan to run again in November.

Racers and elite runners will head up the stairs first in the hopes of beating last year’s record of two minutes and fifty-six seconds. Next, walkers will head up the stairs, and finally, firefighters will climb in full turn-out gear, including air tanks, competing for the firefighter trophy.

“I think people will find out how fun it is to train for something like this with a big support system,” Carozza said. “A lot of people were on the fence about it, I thought by adding free classes it might entice them to try – give them some extra guidance and support."

Visit the website for more information about climbing Trump Parc in November or supporting a local team.