Tag Archives: climbing

Climbing Like a Pro | Memories of Times Past

24 Tuesday Jan 2017

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When I was 18 years old, I did the most incredible on-sight. An on-sight is the term for completing a climb, from top to bottom, without falling or taking advice from anyone. I remember it was a 5.11a, a relatively difficult level. I was always good climber, easily scrambling 10s and low 11s but there was something different about “Putty in my Hands”. Maybe I was on a high because it was my birthday, maybe I had to prove I was the best climber on the team or maybe it was just my kind of climb. Regardless of the reason, up until that point, I never before felt  like I did on this climb.

I was completely at ease. I was steady, stable and energy efficient. I did not needlessly clench holds and I moved quickly before I tired. I felt like I was floating. An incredible sensation. I was always a good climber. Now, I was a GREAT one.

…

My coaches used to say “if you make a climb look easy you have full control over your movement” and apparently, I made it look like an introductory climb. If you were a climber you understood the constant search for perfect equilibrium throughout the body. I was a balance, static climber which meant I did not rely on muscles or strength to ascend. I could not just “power through” moves. So, when I accomplished weightlessness, I knew I reached my full potential.

…

Last week, I climbed three days in a row. Since my diagnosis, I only dreamed of this kind of stamina. I flared up towards the third day but I felt stir-crazy at home so I still climbed.

Even with my flare (or maybe because of it) I climbed flawlessly. My fingertips connected perfectly with each hold, energy surged equally throughout my body and I completed every move without strain. I felt lighter than air and completely fluid.

I hadn’t felt that way in years. Actually, since my diagnosis five years ago. I didn’t know my body could still feel this way especially since everyday actions were a strain. I reveled in this able-bodied sensation; one I knew my body wouldn’t always remember. It was a nice reminder that the great climber was still in me.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

A Little Good News

06 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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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.

Smile Like you Mean it

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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To see the accompanying nail art click here.

Today I rock-climbed. No, let me re-phrase that. Today I rock-climbed well.

I climbed three 5.10s. Specifically, a 5.10a, a 5.10b, and a 5.10c. I climbed all three climbs from top to bottom without falling. I “sent” the climbs.

I knew sending the climbs was not important. I was just happy to be on the wall. I was not going to lie: I felt pleased. I was proud of myself. I had the strength, agility, and mobility to climb quickly and efficiently.

I climbed on and off for the last couple of weeks. There was a length of time when I could not climb at all because of the flare.

Before, every time I had a flare I lost my strength. I had to work my way back up the difficulty level of climbs. I was ecstatic when I realized I had not lost all my strength. Okay, so my fingers cramped up more than usual and I forced myself to stretch farther with my legs and shove my arms above my head but I was able to do it.

And sure, I am paying for it now. I am unable to climb the stairs properly, my elbows and shoulders lock, and my fingers cramp as I type. It is so worth it though.

When I was a junior in high school, I suffered through a bad bout of depression. I barely scraped by that year academically and emotionally.

Looking back, that year was a blur but there was one thing I will never forget.

My climbing coach pulled me aside one day and said to me, “Monica, I don’t think I have seen you smile at all this year. I miss your smile, it brightens my day. I think it brightens most people’s day.”

Today, for the first time in weeks, I genuinely smiled and laughed.

I know the difference between a forced and real smile. When I smile, for real, I feel it in my entire face. My cheeks get red, my eyes crinkle and light up. I show my teeth. My laugh lines go deep. I feel happy.

When I force that same smile it feels fake. People see right through me. They know it is a show.

I hope that because of this one smile everything will look up. This one smile is the crack I needed to find in the tunnel wall. The wall is weak around the crack.

I think I can push out now.

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.