This weekend, my rock climbing gym had their annual rock climbing Boulder Competition, and I was well enough to participate. It's been over 3 months since I got to climb, and I was a little apprehensive about climbing because I have a bad knee and I broke my collarbone a couple months ago.
I'm glad I went and participated in the rock climbing competition, because it gave me the confidence I needed to start climbing again! Shout out to for encouraging me to climb again. I climbed about 5 routes before I started to get tired. One of the last routes I climbed was tough, and I kept falling in the same spot. Part of the fun in rock climbing is the ability to overcome a tough problem. There are so many ways to get to the top, and each solution will be different depending on the persons, height, strength and flexibility.
This particular route required me to press against the rocks to hold myself up. In rock climbing, I've learned that you really have to trust yourself... trust that you will grab the rock you are aiming for. It took me about 4 attempts before I finally made it to the top. Every time I fell, I would try something slightly different with my foot and hand placement.
Finally, on the fourth try, I made it to the top... and boy did it feel good to get up there. Sometimes when life keeps knocking you down and you keep failing, just remember, when you succeed, victory is even sweeter. You learn from your mistakes, and it makes you better and stronger.
Love,
Karen