I promised myself I would not get frustrated or disappointed...

I promised myself I would not get frustrated. I promised myself I would not get disappointed. I promised myself that I would have fun climbing today surrounded by and supported by my friends.

Today marked my 4th attempt to climb a White 5.10c at my local climbing gym. Prior to the climb I spoke with my good friend and coach. We discussed how using the leg and feet techniques she's been teaching me for weeks were going to be crucial if I was going to make it to the top this week.

SIDE NOTE: Last week I made it to the big, fat, white sloper 5 holds from the top, on the blue side of the wall.

My friend was going to climb up beside me, on the righthand side, for moral support and instruction if needed. We "chalked each other up," a ritual that is both fun and funny at the same time. Little did I know that she would end up providing more than just moral support and instruction; more on that later. My belayer said he believed in me and asked if I believed in myself. I gave him a tentative yes.

Belay on? On belay. Climbing! Climb on.

The best way to break my analysis and reflection of this climb down is to put it into three acts. Use the picture I have provided as a way to keep up as I will be referencing it throughout the rest of this post.

First Act: Get to the 2 chunky white blocks 4 clips up on the blue side of the wall. I did this like a pro. I relied on my leg and foot techniques, limited the use of my hands and arms to merely balancing my body which I mindfully kept close to the wall. I felt strong, confident, and in control. My friend, climbing beside me, reaffirmed what I knew inside; I was crushing it!

Second Act: Try to get through the middle of the route. Clips 5 through 7 if you look at the picture. As I stated earlier, this was my 4th attempt at this route. I knew what I was getting myself into when I entered the second act. I would need to move my body in different directions, facing the blue wall to reach for the chunkier white blocks then transitioning to the white side of the wall to grab the chunky blocks next to the 7th clip. This would enable me to get my feet under me and proceed to the third act. My friend, climbing beside me started to give me instructions laced with encouraging words. I started to get tired. I took a couple of deep breaths in and out. My friend and I talked to each other. I tried not to get frustrated. I reminded myself that I was here to have fun. Noticing that my strength was dwindling, my friend took hold of my harness and gently helped me raise myself up to a standing position.

Third Act: Get through clips 8 and 9 to reach the top. This is where things ended for me last week. With my feet under me, right foot on the chunky block next to clip 7 and my left foot on the farthest foothold on the blue side of the wall, I tried with all of my might to stand up. It was at this point that things got sloppy. I must have tried at least 5 times. On the sixth attempt, again with an assist from my friend, I was able to stand up. In between the 8th and 9th clips my energy level was just about depleted. My friend refused to let me get disappointed and frustrated. She kept me focused and even had me laughing. The big white, ribbed sloper was my next challenge. I needed to place my left arm on it to brace myself upward, grab a hold of one of the smaller white, ribbed slopers with my right hand, get my feet under me so I could reach for the penultimate white hold, lift myself up and grab the last hold. This combination of moves seemed to take as long as it took to get to the 8th clip. I refused to give up. The saying, "Where there's a will there's a way" is the closest I can get to describing what it took to finish but I did! My friend and I looked at each other when I finished. I thanked her for her help and support. I took my eye off her for a moment, long enough for her to reach into my chalk bag, and grab my pouch. She called my name, I looked up and she baptized me square in the face with the pouch exclaiming, "Congratulations, you did it!"

It was in that moment that all of my frustration and disappointment melted away and was replaced with joy. On our way down I thought, "Yes, I have a lot to clean up on this route, especially in the third act. That will be the challenge next week."

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