Silly Cinditioning Question

Hey guys, I do 500 steps 2-3x a day on our local ski jump hill. i noted the first time up is always the worst. your legs cramp up. you feel knots in your legs, but after making a trip down to start over, you notice you feel loose and its easier the second time.

so question is. should you start at the top and go down the steps first to loosen yourself up?
or start at the bottom and work through the first lap of discomfort?

silly question, but Ihought there may be a solid answer to to this thought. lol

do you warm up before hand?

not as sufficiently as i should. its been my warmup for the day before stretching