You should hydrate during the warm-up and have water for the steps. I start with 10 repetitions and then drink. Thereafter, I drink water every 20 or 30 repetitions, depending on the heat and how I feel. At each water drink, I change directions in the very slight ovals that I run. This also helps to keep count. I have tried counters, but this works better. An iPod is essential and the play list contains a wide spectrum of music from classical to Springsteen to BeauSoleil to Quentin Tarantino movie dialogue to recorded horse races. It takes me about one hour to do 128 repetitions. The colder the weather, the easier the running. The most repetitions I have done were 320 in 50 degree weather on St. Patrick’s Day. The keys to running steps are focus and pace, just like in a marathon.

Other stairs I have rune include the South Carolina Capitol building (41 steps on the “George Washington” side) and the United States Supreme Court (37 steps on the Capitol side).

I do this exercise intentionally too (rushing back to my room for some stuff I forgot.) Great practical exercise!

sounds like a good sweat, though the article could be better if there was an html link to a good pair of running shoes.