Thoughtful Silence

-Day 16 of 31-

I visited my parents place this weekend after climbing at Crescent Rock yesterday.  Funny how I know for sure where certain traits I possess come from in my family.  One of the more prominent traits would be my "gift of gab".  My father is surely responsible for this.  But of course, everyone in my family knows this to be true.  It's just always interesting to me when it's clearly the case because he's talking to me and going from subject to subject, drifting off the original line of conversation.  I take a deep breath and relax.  I try to somehow bring the conversation back to the original tangent line.  That's the mental cue I use for myself to get me back on track when I wander in conversation.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not.  But I try to be aware.  I also try to draw others in and have a balanced conversation.  Nothing is worse than someone who just drones on and on...trust me I know! :-)

Climbing Feet First!

-Day 13 of 31-

"Think with your feet!"  This was one of the first concepts to really stick in my head when I was learning to climb.  I'm sure most of you have heard about maintaining at least three points of contact (preferably four) and staying "in-balance" while climbing.  Thinking with your feet will help you with all of these.

Keep Breathing

-Post 3-

You're just below the crux on that 5.whatever climb you've been working.  You have perfect gear placed.  It's a beautiful, crisp, blue-bird fall day with low humidity.  You see the moves and know you can pull them, though this is at your difficulty limit.  You move up, committed to getting through.  You start into the sequence and the strain comes on.  You're trying to move your feet up, trying to keep your hands on that thin rail.  You shift your weight and move your hands up a bit to another hold.  You can see the next hold and know you can get there but you need your feet higher up.  You can't find a place for them.  You start to panic as you can feel the exhaustion hitting you.  You scramble to find your feet, but you're not even looking down.  You're still focused on the next handhold.  You're holding on....holding on...holding on..."falling!"

What happened?  Why did you fall on a sequence you've accomplished on top-rope a half-dozen times?  Why couldn't you pull it off on lead?  The gear was great.  Conditions were perfect.  Your mindset was really positive.  But what happened?  You tensed up and panicked.  Why?  What did you forget to do?  Breathe.