CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Frigid temperatures did not keep fitness buffs on Thursday from “doin’ the stairs” at Swallow Cliff Woods in the Palos Park area.
"You’re sweating by your sixth [time up and down> so temperature is irrelevant," said 58-year-old Steve Krause.
Krause was wearing four layers above the waist, shorts below the waist. He said he'll be working on Friday, otherwise he would be at Swallow Cliff doing the stairs in even colder weather.
There are 125 limestone steps on one side of Swallow Cliff, 168 steps on the other side. But it's the limestone steps, with their varied sizes of height and depth that people primary climb.
According to Krause, "it’s a little bit icy and during the winter, after a snow and a rain and a freeze, but you can get around it."
Retired State Police Detective Sergeant Rick Klimes, 62, may have been the Ironman at the steps on Thursday. Even with a Real Feel temperature of about 10 above zero, he would go up and down the stairs sometimes carrying nothing, but other times either wearing a 57 pound backpack or carrying two 10-pound dumbbells linked together with a chain. Klimes said it helps him stay in shape for mountain climbing and marathons around the world.
"I think it’s important in these days when we’re stuck inside to still be intentional about getting out and I find being in nature just very healing," she said.
Narbone said she would not be out over the next few days when temperatures are expected to be colder.