JENN McKINLAY: Surprising no one, I'm sure, many of my chats with myself frequently begin with "What Was I Thinking?"
And it's not just my poor fashion choices such as wearing heels on a cobblestone street in Ireland or donning a T-shirt when it's obviously sweater weather. I'm talking those moments when you think how exactly did I get here?
An example? Bouldering at the gym with Hooligan 1. Don't know what bouldering is? Yeah, neither did I. It's basically free (no ropes) solo rock climbing on indoor installations. See picture below:
How it started: Overly confident.
How it finished: Got to the top and debated do I just fall fifteen feet or climb down the way I got up? Dilemma!
I climbed down. Even with the fat marshmallow floor below -- truly squashy, might have napped on it if allowed -- I try not to fall if I can avoid it.
Who was responsible for this? Hooligan 1, natch.
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| http://www.boulderingproject.com |
Hooligan 2 and I run 5Ks, which is a whole other What Was I Thinking -- usually around the middle of the third kilometer -- but H1 is a climber. He always has been part goat so when this gym opened in Tempe, he found his home away from home. H1 talked about it so enthusiastically that when he invited me to use his guest pass and try it out, how could I pass up the opportunity? He was also great about doing "beta climbs" for me so I could figure out where to move my limbs, etc. There is real brain engagement in bouldering and also some panic. LOL.
You are a far braver lady than I, Jenn . . . .
ReplyDeleteA recent "What was I thinking?" moment: putting the plants out on the back steps for some sun and then leaving them despite the bad weather forecast so I ended up having to rescue them in the midst of the downpour ☹
It looks like fun, Jenn. I'm glad you climbed down, falling is never the correct option if you actually get to choose. I think "up" is always easier than "down" when it comes to climbing. It's easier to see where you are going.
ReplyDeleteThee is a braver woman than I! My great-goddaughther (now 8) likes to climb trees, and sometimes she's ask (from over my head) for help getting down. I always tell her, If you could get up there, you can get down. Running isn't as bad as climbing - you can always slow down or walk a few steps (how I got through the Boston Marathon 25 years ago...).
ReplyDeleteMy latest "What was I thinking?" moment was years ago when I took my teen sons to Canobie Lake Park, a big-rides kind of place. They wanted to go on a ride where we ended up hanging upside down and I just wanted to get off! Never again.