That thing..

Dear Readers,

There is this problem at the gym that I have been working on for a couple of weeks now. It's a level higher than I'm comfortable with, and a real stretch to my abilities.  Yesterday, I made it through problem to the last move. The final move is a big one to the top of the wall. I went for the final move probably 10 times. I'd throw my left, I'd throw my right, and every time I'd come off and crash to the pad on the floor below.

I am lucky to have so many great folks/people to ride with... 

I was a little frustrated: on one hand I was climbing above my pay grade; on the other other hand I was so close to finishing the problem, but might as well have been a million miles from the finish. I'll also admit, while I was never hurt, the fall started to get into my head. It was a little exposed, and frankly I started to get scared. I walked away from the problem.

the guys I ride with sometimes call me sweetie...

Today, we went back to climb, and I'll admit I was pretty shattered. I had been a total hot mess on my ride today. While it was wonderful to be back in the woods, I was really tired and struggled to tread water. At the gym, I laid around a bunch and rested. I watched some other guys work the problem and they were falling off on the same place I was. Watching them fall back to the crash pads, I felt myself getting more scared. I had decided to just let that problem go, the risk was not worth the reward.

Then I watched Diane, who is a much better climber than I am, work a problem that she's been struggling with. While she didn't finish it, she continued to make progress and move up. I was feeling beat up, but felt inspired. I went to my project problem and worked through it. I made it to the final move. I started to think about falling,  I started to get scared. I thought through how I could finish. I stalled. I was starting to freak myself out a bit. I had to go with a big left. I said to myself better to fall and walk away then not try because I was scared. I went for the finish, and much to my surprise I made it. I stuck the move and finished the problem. I hung on the top of the wall for an extra second or two, still amazed I finished this one.  I was so stoked. I was punching above my weight class for sure there, every once in a while you get to steal one. Today was my day.

I then spent the rest of the afternoon laying around and watching Kita and Diane climb. It was good times.

thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon