Chasing Blue Sky

So I went climbing again yesterday and just had a really disappointing day of it. :(

I only topped two. Blah. One of those two was the one I had attempted and my wrist popped, so at least I got it. The other was my first of the day - and I'd already done it before, so it wasn't a new one.

I spent most of the time there belaying for a new climber that Mike and kitten had invited along - Chad. Cool dude, very groovy to talk with, and he's a lot better at this climbing thing than I am. Got his belay certification and managed to top a 5-9! WTG Chad!

I did attempt a 5-7 and got about halfway, but had to come down. I just really wasn't feeling it, and the whole day was off for me. I really am not sure why. :(

I had a small seizure, but got over it. I'm just glad I didn't seize on a wall. That would have sucked major fat ones.

Today I just feel - blah. Disappointed, a little pissed off, frustrated. Climbing can be great therapy, but it can also be a huge pisser when the day just doesn't work out. *sigh*

Went climbing again last night. I swear this is getting so addictive.

Out of 6 walls attempted, I topped three, two of them new ones that I'd not tried before, one of those two with a ledge. w00t.

I should have had four walls topped, but when I got about two rocks away from topping the fourth, my right wrist popped. Painfully and loudly. It was then that I decided that it'd be a better idea to rappel down and try again another time - I don't want to break anything, and that buggar fuckin hurt. I'm happy to report that it doesn't hurt today and is functioning just fine.

I'm getting callouses on my hands from gripping rope and rocks. This is good.

What's kinda buggin me, though, is that when I step on the scale now, it shows weight GAIN, not loss, even though my diet is changing for the better, (no sodas! Less junk! More green stuff!), and I'm exercising. But there's this voice from my past, deep and reassuring, that reminds me that muscle weighs more than fat. I'm adding muscle, which will help burn the fat. Werd.

So I'm not sore, really, but I'm having difficulty moving a bit, just pure weakness. Go 'til fail. I did that, and am still a bit on the weak side. I'll be fine by Sunday, when I climb again!

So went again today, after a 2 week hiatus. I am tired, I am sore, and I am PROUD!

If you recall, I topped one climb the last time I went. Today I topped FOUR and officially earned my "5-6" badge, (no, there are no real badges, but dammit, I can make one in Photoshop :p). Three easy climbs (beginner/alligator wall) and one 5-6 tallboy.

I'm sooooooo damn proud. And soooooo damn tired. And I'm not sure I have arms at this point, but at the same time, I don't remember the last time I felt so physically strong.

w00t!! Photos! I'm the butt on the left, in blue jeans.

x-posted to other blogs

So yesterday I went climbing at Climb Nashville, the only real rock gym in metro Nashville, with Michael, kitten, Steven, and Nikki. Met one of Michael’s co-workers, Tonya.

I have not climbed a damn thing in 16 or so years. So after a quick belay and safety rundown with one of the climbing gym’s sexy little manbeasts, (can’t remember his name - I’m betting he’s about 20ish), I started.

Now gang, keep in mind that I weigh in the neighborhood of 270. I am slightly top heavy, though luckily for me, most of the weight is proportionate to my height, (read: I carry it well). And damned if I didn’t scale one climb, about 2/3 of two others, half of another and my arms gave out. Steven topped three. Fucker.

I couldn’t believe that I had done that. I CLIMBED. Vertically. OVER an overhang! I DID IT!!! I am deliriously happy and sore. And I’m going back on Wednesday or Thursday, depending on when Mike goes back.