Upward progress

After a week's hiatus, I made it back to the climbing gym today. I was a bit frustrated - a week of no exercise, illness and limited productivity. But as often happens, after a break, things jumped ahead rather than fell behind. I got myself on the wall and just got moving - and it felt wonderful. I felt as refreshed as always.

And, I made two jumps ahead with my climbing!

First, there is a brown route - E1, not super-hard, but it had stumped me for a while. It goes up a steady negative slope. I've made strides on it already - learning to really hang and relax as I reach, and learning to use the side wall to "flag" my leg and get some of the higher hand holds. And though I've made it to the top once, it was very hard, and a long time ago. Today, I relaxed and climbed. And when I was within reach of the last hold, felt the familiar fear. It is quite high. And I can imagine losing my grip and falling. But I breathed and reached, and there it was: I had it. No strain, no pain, just stretch up and grab it. Incredible!

Then, in the cave, I've been trying this red route (E1 as well). The cave is all hanging. The first time I tried, I could only make 1 or 2 moves. Last week, I made it to the edge. And this week: I made it around the corner. Over the edge, into the last phase of the climb. Thrills! Big rush! I've figured that thing out!

I wish I could capture the thrills that climbing provides. After climbing, I am smiling, I am soaring. It is one of the best pick-me-ups I can imagine. Thank you for it.

Wandering into a new kingdom

I've discovered that my university is actually a mystical portal to the lands of Lord of the Rings. Inhabitants of the Shire and Rivendell wander around campus in the guise of students and staff. I've witnessed some of these other-worldly creatures, and recently made contact with one.

The Hobbit lives in the secluded IT rooms in the lower end of campus. Small and sturdy with a wide face and large hands and feet, he appears in various buildings across campus, sitting with focused attention in front of computer screens. He has a pleasant look on his face, and a determined but gentle energy in his walk. He favors khakis and subtle plaid shirts.

The Elf began appearing in the fall. Tiny and blond with finely etched features, he flits in out and around the Fine Arts building. His white-blond hair standing in chunks around his head, his intense eyes looking up from his down-cast face, a grin illuminating him when he sees a familiar face. Last night we made contact. He rock climbs and I saw him there last night. We smiled hello, then I went over to introduce myself. He says that his name on this side is Ben. His voice has a hint of an accent that comes and goes - Elvish perhaps? I watched him scale the holds in the cave - sheer beauty as he floated his way over and around the wall.

Pain worth bearing

Yesterday I went bouldering with a friend at the rock-climbing gym in Kelowna. How amazing to find a sport that is so me. Hanging, swinging, clambering (I love that word), falling - I love it. And the people are friendly! A sport that encourages encouragement.

I woke up in the middle of the night with serious arm pain. My right elbow - the one that suffers from solitaire - apparently also objects to rock climbing. However, that is pain for a good cause. I'm going to keep it up, and figure out what I need to do to get my elbow to enjoy it.

I still find myself mentally and physically thinking "just one game" when my brain goes on the fritz while working at the computer. I'm sure it will take a while to reprogram myself to work rather than zone out.