A Few Thoughts…

Got in two trips to RockQuest this week – Wednesday was a nice warm up, and today turned into a nice little workout. My hands and arms are going to be feeling it later today and tomorrow, even with the stretching. I was a little disappointed with myself on Wednesday after only pulling out a 5.6, and struggling with it a little at that. So today I started back with the 5.6 as a warm up, which got sent much easier than the last time. Feeling pretty good I went to a 5.7 nearby which I used to use as a good middle-of-the-road climb, and sent it fairly easily as well. My arms were getting a little pumped after that one though.

I stuck to some easier climbs for a little while. There’s one beginner wall I hadn’t climbed in a long time which Sheri was trying to climb on Wednesday – I wasn’t much help in spotting holds since it had been so long, so I sent that to remind myself that there aren’t all that many holds up there – especially for a beginner. As a “cool down” we did some bouldering – which never really works as a cool down. There were some easy V1s and V2s probably, but it was hit or miss even on those. I’ve been having some problems with the muscles which run over the outside of my hips cramping up – once I work those out I should be able to do the sit-starts a lot easier. That and getting my upper body strength built back up. Once Wyatt starts at Xetron he can push me to work out more, which will be good!

Now, to decide when to climb next. I think I’ve been bit by the climbing bug once again – which means finding free time, friends, and disposable income to get over there. I guess it’s not too bad if I think of it as a gym membership and not just a recreational activity. Anyone up for a regular climb?

Yes, that’s right – I said it.  Even more I did it tonight, a quick walk/jog, some time on a bike, and a few reps with the free weights to make sure my arms didn’t feel left out.  I need to get into the habit of exercising at least 3 times a week, and more than to just get in shape.  I have a bit of a cholesterol problem, and to make sure I don’t keel over at 35 or 40, I need to get that cleared up.  So, I’m substituting some fatty snacks with fruits (or trying to anyway), and getting out and at least walking/jogging for at least 30 minutes (until I can get up to a run for that length of time).  Maybe come this time next year Tim and I can breeze through the Heart Mini 15k as a warmup to the Flying Pig.

In other news, I need to get back into climbing when I can.  Time is the enemy on this one as I seem to always be busy with something.  I would like some chance to be home to relax too.  I miss climbing – it’s a lot of fun, and I really miss just completely having my arms pumped out – that is such a great feeling (unless you’re right at the end of a climb and you can’t feel your arms anymore, then it’s just frustrating).  Okay, now to the shower and then to bed.

I got the chance to go climbing with a buddy of mine this weekend and also very quickly realized just how out of shape I am. It’s been two days and my arms are still burning…though that could have been helped by the lifting of children to blow out candles yesterday. Anyway, it’s touch opening up heavy doors that have to pull open, at least for doors that push I can just lean into them.

Its a good hurt though – because I want to get back out and do it again. Chris (the aforementioned buddy) and I are going to try to go once a week after the holidays are over, so that will be good. He said he was out of shape too, but seeing as how he builds fences on his job and carries around lots of weight, I was having a hard time sympathizing with his out of shape thoughts of himself.

Maybe by the time its warmer, we’ll be able to plan a trip to the Gorge to do some climbing!

(on a side note…I forgot to bring in my good headphones to work….so I’m on my backup ones, which are really not all that good, and this saddens me)

I was searching through google video for climbing things, and came across this “Russian Climbing” video. Though it is something apparently called Parkour (also on wikipedia). The quality isn’t the greatest, but it’s still awesome. Somehow I see Tim up and doing this one day….

It’s been some time since I’ve been able to get to the climbing gym, and recently I have felt my muscles getting weaker. The climbing bug has not gone away at all – I still look at pictures like the ones below and say “COOL! I want to do that!” So, in the “things I’m gonna do before the New Year” list – one thing is to find a day, or a few days, where I can get to the climbing gym regularly. Anyone is welcome to join me! In the meantime – enjoy the pictures, and dream of being on the rocks!

Find the climber!