If anyone had told me during summer months that I would be running in below freezing temps I would have laughed really hard. But I’m definitely not having the last laugh right now.
It all began when my friend suggested that we make a trip to Cologne Cathedral and go to the top. When he said that it was 533 steps, I just assumed it was joke and that there probably is an elevator to get to the top. Construction on this church began in 1248 and is Germany’s most visited landmark.
The first 50 steps on the spiral staircase was fine, then I realized this was no joke, there is no elevator coming to my rescue and I had to keep going. I really wanted to turn back, but there were too many people behind me to do it, so despite the huffing and puffing I had to keep going.
This struggle caught me off guard, I consider myself energetic and fit, but instead I felt old and unfit and out of shape. Staring at the view from the top I realized that while being on vacation I had thrown my healthy eating habits out of the window along with my exercise.
The smell of food was floating to the top from the Christmas market which was taking place around the Cathedral. Once at the market I forgot about the struggle of climbing the steps and indulged in a little of everything which was on offer. I consoled myself with the fact that 533 steps must have burnt a lot of calories which needed to be replenished and there is always tomorrow to start eating healthy and going running.
So now despite the cold and fog, I make the extra effort of going for a run, because who knows when I will have to climb another 533 steps.
Here are some pics from the top and the Christmas market.
My Random Musings 
Reblogged this on Sarah's Attic Of Treasures and commented:
So beautiful. What a sight to see.
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Thank you so much for the reblog of the post. I really appreciate it, thank you again.
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And when you come down from the top you mumble 823, 824 just loud enough to hear for the folks coming up . . . Never gets old 🙂
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By the time I came down, I had forgotten how to walk straight. The Christmas market was such an experience.
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I know you are in Germany but not sure where at in Germany. When I saw the news about the terrorist attack in Berlin, I automatically thought of you. Are you okay? Please let me know as soon as you can. I have been worried about you!
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Thank you PJ. I left Germany a few days ago and I am in Sri Lanka right now. What a tragedy and it’s sad that it happened at the Christmas market, where people go to relax and enjoy the festivities. Thank you for thinking of me.
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I hope you enjoy yourself in Sri Lanka! I’m so glad to hear from you! Have a very Merry Christmas!
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Beautiful pics! I would say the climb was worth it! But I understand what you mean about feeling out of shape. I had to climb close to that amount of steps when I was in Paris to see the one cathedral whose name is escaping me right now. Too early in the morning 🙂
Those doughnuts looked really yummy to!
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Thank you. Knowing that there was all that food waiting for me once I came back down was the motivating factor. But I definitely felt each and every step going up.
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Judging from the view, I think it was worth climbing up all those steps. Thank goodness you are in condition to do it, I don’t know if I would have made it, no matter how slowly I went.
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Ann, I didn’t think I would make it to the top. My friend though it was funny as to how much I struggled considering I do run. But it was worth it, even with all the stops I had to make.
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How fun! (Except for the 533 steps!) You definitely deserved to indulge after climbing that many steps! LOL! Beautiful photos!
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Thanks PJ. I think I’m still indulging in eating to make up for that. The climb was worth it for sure.
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It looks like it was well worth it. 🙂
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