Strong Enough: Month-End Review, January

Yesterday I got an e-mail with the subject: climbing. early. sunday.

Patti: Meet at the gym at 10:00 tomorrow, ok?

Me: Roger that.

Upper Limits is having their annual membership sale so the joint was jumping.

Now, I have two memberships. One at Upper Limits and one at a regular fitness club which doesn't have a pool.

I warmed up on Truxton or Bust, a 5.6 route then Patti suggested I try to tackle my #1 nemesis, And You're Ready Now?, a 5.8b since it's best to hit the hardest routes early in the game.

Patti actually had a grout-induced blister in the middle of her hand so her husband, Mike, was my belay partner. Patti did do a 5.9 that didn't require too much gripping. Ha, I wasn't injured and could not have done it.

So, Patti and Mike are coaching me then a couple, Bruce and Megan, came along. Bruce said that And You're Ready Now? has been very friendly to him. Bruce was giving me excellent pointers and even climbed over the arête several times to show me a way to do it. Bruce talked about balance, technique and was kind enough to tell me that he knew that I was strong enough to do it by the way I was holding onto the butterfly hold with my arms. He also stuck around for quite awhile suggesting different holds for my feet and/or hands and Patti told me that half of the game is psychological...

Later on, I moved to Face Plant (5.8). It's not a route that I do smoothly but I remember a time when I couldn't make it over that arête at all. Mike told me that there's not that much difference between Face Plant and And You're Ready Now? So, hopefully, I'll make it over the hump one day.

I love it how everyone is looking up -- except for me since I was tying in and, sometimes, I get amnesia about how to tie a figure eight knot.






I continued to take the quote variety is the spice of life to heart this month:

10 Minute Solution: Fitness Ball Workouts

Firm Flat Abs, 2 x's

Total Body Fat Burner, 2 x's

Ultra Stretch, 2 x's

10 Minute Solution: Kickbox Bootcamp

Basic Training, 1 x

Fat Burning Blast, 3 x's

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Stretching, 7 x's

Arc Trainer, 1 x

Boot Camp Class, 1 x

Cardio and Muscle Class, 3 x's

Elliptical Trainer, 1 x

Rock Climbing, 6 x's

StairMaster, 4 x's

Step Class, 4 x's

Swimming, 2 x's

Treadmill, 11 x's

Walking Pilates, 1 x

And I'm hoping to keep rockin' steady in February...

Upper Limits

I don't know why I get a case of nerves before rock climbing. When I was getting ready this morning, I questioned my sanity decision.

Could it be the waiver? It reads in part:

I acknowledge the inherent extreme risk in rock climbing activities, including those that take place indoors. I realize that those risks include falls, equipment failure, bad decision-making, inattentive belayers, and holds that become loose or damaged by other climbers. I understand that there are unforeseeable, freakish accidents, and I assume all risks associated with such accidents, even though I cannot foresee them. I agree to pay attention to the state of the ropes in the gym and that of the anchors, and to advise gym staff if I do any damage or notice any damage, I agree to abide by all gym rules, and if gym staff make a specific request of or instruction to me, I agree to comply.
x__________(initial)

So, yeah, there are other parts to the waiver but you get the idea.

I was probably extra nervous because I decided to take my belay test. I'm certified (One For The Books) for the Center of Clayton but not for Upper Limits which I'm more likely to frequent.

You'll be happy to know that, even though I had a few awkward attempts, I was able to tie my double figure eight knot and my safety knot (fisherman's knot) and that I'm now able to belay at UL. During the belay test, you have to demonstrate proper technique (like never taking your hand off the brake line) plus the ability to provide a take for the climber if he or she needs rest. In addition, there's an announced and unannounced fall during the test. Thanks to Jessica for trusting me enough to belay for her.



I almost took a nap (not during belaying) on one of those black mattresses that are present for bouldering folks because with the climbing and the test, I was a bit tuckered out.

I went home and took a pause for the cause, had lunch and decided that I wanted to give the city pool a try again; I hadn't been since opening week. I hung out for awhile, swam a little and enjoyed the sun. I felt so relaxed afterwards or maybe the sun had sapped my energy. It really hasn't been hot this summer but the sun was flexing its solar muscles today.

Third Rock Climbing Class

I was intensely looking for some videos about belaying but the ones that I saw on YouTube weren't providing any enlightenment. I finally found this one which is pretty good:



Visualizing belaying must have worked because I did a little better tonight. My instructor was tempting me big time. I was, again, attempting a more difficult route and he started telling me about some 350 pound dude who took on indoor rock climbing. Was this anecdote supposed to be some kind of inspirational parable for moi? Had it been yesterday, when I was experiencing the furies, I would have tied a figure eight around his neck. "J" also mentioned something about custom made harnesses but I decided not to take that one personally since it was in the context of the conversation that we were having.

I also tried bouldering (climbing without a rope) at "J's" suggestion and that was so unwise. I fell from a spot that was a little high and jarred my ankle. When I felt that sensation go through my ankle, I saw my entire regimen flash before my eyes. If I had been put out of commission because of bouldering, I would have been furious at myself. Right now, I'm trying to remember how I fell because my right shoulder and right upper thigh don't feel so hot but that could be because of the climbing.

I have to thank Jessica for going over the finer points of tying a figure eight knot with me and for giving me the tip to practice by threading the rope through a loophole on my pants.



Jessica could teach Introduction to Rock Climbing in her sleep. She's quite the Spiderwoman and, I bet, her spidey sense is tingling right now.

I went by the Clayton Schnucks after class and I have to say that the Schnucks in Clayton is much nicer (mega-understatement) than any Schnucks that I've seen in the city -- especially skanky Schnucks on Grand and Gravois. Really, the deli and fruit section is bigger than some entire stores.

Introduction to Rock Climbing, Part Deux

Ouch. Especially in the area of the biceps, triceps and gluteus.

I continue to have belaying issues.

In addition to climbing and practicing the belay technique, I also worked on tying a double figure eight knot.

I went swimming for half an hour prior to rock climbing class. The tandem of swimming and rock climbing is probably not the best idea since both require arm and leg movements. I tried a more difficult climbing route and was unable to make it all the way to the top. Could it be that fatigue was setting in?

When I went back to the easiest route, I ended up being separated from the wall but I was able to get a grip again and continue to climb on.

The first time that I went climbing and was trying to figure out how to work my way up the puzzle of a wall, I absolutely could not hold on anymore. It was, for a brief moment, a terrifying experience since I had forgotten that I had a harness on and was attached to a rope with a double figure eight knot and a safety knot to boot.