Trust, Determination & Fun

Last night was a night full of firsts and chicken. I have been wanting to go to the enormous climbing wall at the Universities rec center and last night was the night. I have only climbed up a wall once at a fair, but nothing like this. We showed up had to fork over some duckets for a day pass and to rent some equipment. Since I hadn’t climbed before really, I needed to go through the basic training course and watch an oh so fantastic and slightly less than entertaining video.

The class was great, cuz the instructor was laid back and cool. I got to relearn a double 8 knot for the 20th time in my life. I’m hoping it sticks this time, and so does my climbing partner. I learned how to rig up my gear and properly belay. Not that it was hard, but I was definitely a little worried about doing the wrong thing and having M fall 50 feet.

We did a few test runs with M climbing and me belaying with the instructor next to me. He wanted her to free fall to catch me off guard to be sure I knew what to do. M told me later, she really didn’t like to free fall. Heck, I wouldn’t either especially with a rookie at the wheel.

I went into this experience thinking about the trust it would take on my side to climb and be in the hands of someone else completely. I soon realized it was M that really had to trust me, someone who was doing this for the first time. She didn’t seem phased at all, which encouraged me and made me know that it was going to be all good.

When it was my turn to climb, I soon realized that it was much harder than I imagined to pick my lines and contort into a frog and monkey in just two moves. About 1/3 of the way up I glanced at my peripheral vision, (if you can even do that) and got sick to my stomach. I stopped and took a few breaths, but the nausea continued and got stronger. M told me to take a break and sit in my harness and let go of the wall. Yah right, I just realized I must be scared and now I’m supposed to let go of the wall!

I trusted her and slowly let go as my fore arms were beginning to burn from holding on and not moving. I’m not sure how long I rested but I do know that 20 million things tried to fill up my head. My stomach wanted to call out, let me down, but I was enjoying the challenge before my stomach got the better of me. I slowly reached out for the wall and began to climb again, telling my stomach I would deal with it later. The more I climbed the more determined I became.

It was exhilarating to reach the top and I was glad that I stuck it out. I’ve realized more and more lately that I like exercise and movement that involves thought with slow controlled strength. Not too surprising considering I spent so many of my early days dancing ballet.

M and I high-fived and were happy that we had fun and that everything went smoothly. M looked as though she never had a doubt. For my own memories, I’ll add in the stop to Arby’s afterwards for salads. Of course I asked for mine with no chicken. I was glad to see when I got home that there was a “special” sticker on the top of my container which of course signified that my salad was better than M’s.

As I picked through all the yummyness, little pieces of chicken kept appearing. I made the decision to keep eating, because the rest of it was so delicious and I was ravenous. I picked out the chunks and let M’s salad adopt them. Unfortunately some didn’t want to go over to the “Sante Fe” and they ended up in my belly.

It was a really great night that fulfilled my high expectations. I’ll be heading back soon, so I remember my double 8 knot and to work on that amazing toned back I’ve always wanted!

*Just a note: Photos were taking after the climb to capture the moment. Unfortunately or fortunately we were already out of our harnesses and shoes:)