February 24, 2010
Climbing Rocks!
I’ve finally decided to share it with the world – the “double entendre” in the title is not random 🙂 – after being a bit reluctant about writing this post. Returning to an old hobby is not an easy thing, but in this case it proved an unexpectedly enriching experience, and the best is yet to come 🙂
When I first took up climbing some years ago it was because I was afraid of heights, and not only, and unfortunately didn’t get very far with it due to a series of exterior constraints, but what I immediately liked about it is it being a very demanding sport both mentally and physically. It so happened that the planets aligned favourably some time ago and I got back to it, and this time there’s no room for quitting.
I’m not by far a qualified person to talk about climbing, there is a lot to learn yet, however if you consider taking up climbing, these may be some useful thoughts coming from a “beginner” (to be read with French accent) 🙂
1. Do not get discouraged if you feel uncomfortable and not at ease at first, that’s why you’re there, to learn about yourself (you’re one lucky bastard if you do feel comfortable though)
2. This is not the gym, so going once a month won’t take you anywhere…it requires time and training, so consider allocating it at least 1-2 times per week.
3. Focus and forget about everything else when you’re climbing, or as someone was saying, think that your life depends on it…it will, one day. Don’t exagerrate though!
4. Don’t look down, except at your feet…photoshop the rest 🙂 and you’ll feel better.
5. Don’t forget that in the end, it’s all about playing and feeling good, so try even the things that seem a bit crazy at first (like blindfold climbing) and you’ll be surprised with the results.
6. If it gets you to smile or even laugh before the end of it, then maybe you should do it again..just a thought 🙂
And finally, here are some mundane tips regarding climbing (mainly for women, but who knows, guys might find them useful as well with the new trends :p): a) wearing high heels will be an extremely easy thing after two weeks in climbing shoes (no, not continously, for God’s sake) and b) “no jar will ever be too hard to open”, which may prove very helpful when you’re in a hurry in the morning and that non-obeying honey jar fights back 🙂
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