For four weeks I had been working on the route, in each session attempting it repeatedly until my body could take no more. I reckon I tried the climb at least fifty times before I reached the top.
The first few moves are simple enough. Sure, you need a bit of technique, good balance, a steely grip and plenty of strength, but it was the middle phase that I was struggling with. During those four weeks, most of the time I was grappling with this part of the climb.
This is what I love about climbing. Not just the challenge and addictive adrenaline, but watching your strength and technique improve and most of all, the problem-solving aspect. Time and time again I’d find myself clinging to the wall, awkwardly and uncomfortably like a constipated spider. Fingers killing, arms pumped, painfully straddled and sweating like a badger.
With strength waning I’d drop back to the mats below and, while catching my breath, scrutinise the route like a cryptographer at encrypted text. I’d look again and again at the scattered holds, turning the arrangement round in my head and preparing for another attempt.
Last week I reached the top. I turned up at the climbing centre and shot straight up it on the first attempt. It’s always immensely satisfying to complete a difficult climb, but especially so given the sheer amount of effort I’d put in. What had started off seeming impossible had turned out pretty damn easy. Now I could seek out another route, one which was tougher, one which would push me to the limit again and make my body ache so badly that even lifting a mug of coffee the next morning would hurt.
Life lesson or just some bloke rambling on about climbing? What do you reckon?
One thing I know is this. You start with a challenge, a problem, a route which you are unfamiliar with and have not completed before. Your strength (or weakness), technique and experience are limiting factors but as you keep at it you get stronger, better and can succeed. Worst case scenario? You fail to complete the route but you still get bigger biceps.
Life lesson for sure. I read right through that and we all have those struggles and ambitions to make better for ourselves. Question is: “what are we doing about it?” Right!
Exactly. What are we doing about it? How can we approach it differently? When taking a step back what do we see?
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.
Mo,
As a fellow climber, I know how you feel. The sense of accomplishment that you feel when you have completed a problem or a route, the deciphering process, the disappointment of not completing it time after time….it’s all part of the process of getting better in life and climbing. First you have to try and be willing to fail and learn before you can succeed.
Thanks,
Adrian
.-= Adrian Swinscoe´s last blog ..Customer surveys, low response rates and staff targets =-.
Of course, in life it’s not always that simple, but still, failing, learning and improving is in some ways the best part of the process.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.
Hi Mo,
I agree that in life it’s not that simple and the journey can be hard. Sometimes, I guess, the harder it is the more we appreciate when we arrive.
Adrian
.-= Adrian Swinscoe´s last blog ..Customer surveys, low response rates and staff targets =-.
A life lesson for sure.When we struggle to achieve our goal and at last get succeeded one fine day,the happiness we get is really un comaprable to anything in world.The happiness here is due to the hurdles faced in every step of achieving our goal.Probably we may not get much happiness if we get succeeded in the 1st attempt itself.
.-= Krish – lifesher´s last blog ..Take Risks Confidently =-.
You’re bang on there Krish. As I commented above, it is tackling the hurdles that is so key to satisfaction.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.
Your story is such a powerful illustration of something we so easily forget – When we take on a new challenge and put in the work, we always build strength and skills. This in turn prepares us for the next challenge.
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..How to Handle a Dream Snatcher =-.
And the next, and the next, and so on. We get stronger and better, yet there is always a new challenge to attempt.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.
Well, I enjoy climbing the rock walls, but I am afraid it’s not possible right now with my ruptured achilles tendon.
But, I agree with the whole not knowing which way you are going, how you are going to get there, etc. Matter of fact, I’m still not certain, but I’m really just trying to follow along with your 20/7 report I bought and make it happen.
Yes, I’m sure rock climbing builds the biceps, but man, the IM stuff sometimes makes my head hurt. Maybe it’s growing inside?
BrandonBurgh
.-= BrandonBurgh´s last blog ..Current Stats for BrandonBurgh & Where I Am Headed =-.
This is an important life-lesson to have – it’s through the attempt at difficult endeavours that we become stronger. Stronger mentally and sometimes physically.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Do You Recognize Yourself In These 6 Stages of Change? =-.
Glad you agree, and regarding mental strength, it’s not so obvious when you have grown (in my experience) but looking back it can be gobsmacking.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.
It’s all about moving forward and not looking back. Hey, if we aren’t progressing towards something then we are going the other direction. There is no standing still.
Of course there will be bruised knees along the way, but that only adds to the quality of the journey.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
.-= Joshua Black | The Underdog Millionaire´s last blog ..Are You Shooting Your Customers in the Neck With a Taser? =-.
Nothing worse than bruised knees. Well, apart from standing still perhaps.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.
Whenever I see a challenge, I try to create a mental plan and break down the steps to overcome the challenge. I try to motivate myself and think positive to have the right determination. And when I succeed, I try to enjoy the moment but not too much as I know I need to move on and take more challenges.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..Rosa Parks Is Not Done Teaching Us =-.
Creating that mental plan is so key. Practically I do it in so many circumstances. Dealing with financial problems/circumstances, relationships, issues at home or work. The plan, and following it through, is everything.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.
I’ve always said and will always say… that ordinary actions done over time will product extra-ordinary results.
This accomplishment of yours is no exception to the rule. Awesome shit. Personally I think rock climbing is a bitch. A bitch I’d like to tame
A wall that big excites me.
.-= FitJerks Fitness Blog´s last blog ..Feel The Fear… And Lift It Anyway =-.
You should absolutely tame it my friend, it is SO addictive.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..Cheap Dutch Lager =-.