Well, self-made good news.

I am climbing again! In the evenings so my nail painting schedule has gone a little wonky. But, I am climbing again!

The best part is, my stiff and painful joints are better, my mobility is better, and so is my endurance. It was just a few weeks ago  I could not even get up a 5.9 without feeling like I was getting worse. Now, I am scurrying up 5.10s with ease. Well, more ease 🙂  I can even do five or six climbs during one session! This is a huge step in the right direction.

 

The difference comes from me focusing on my grip. Even though, in general, my joints feel better, my fingers are still a bit of a problem. I seem to have lost some fine motor skills but I can climb longer if I do not hold on to the holds very hard.

I focus on my leg and footwork and it really pays off! I pull less with my arms or “straight arm” the holds and it really alleviates some of the stress on my upper body joints! (Straight arming means keeping the entire arm straight, what this does is re-allocate pressure from the muscles to the skeleton).

I guess it is true what they say, a boulder that continually rolls gathers no moss.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.