rsbob 

I am surrounded by hills other than some limited flats. To do any sort of mileage, one has to climb. When I first moved here I found the climbs a wearisome necessity. After begrudgingly taking part in a climbing competition last November, I started getting slowly getting better at it. Toward the end of the month, climbs which I would dread I could easily fly up, and in just a month. I figure it came down to use it or lose it. Now I don’t dread those hills.

What the OP posted though, is a whole other level. I would aim to do 2000’-3000’ each day and that was enough to get my fitness in gear.