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 ☹
Oh, yes! I know that well.
DeleteIt 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.
ReplyDeleteSO true!
DeleteThee 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.
LOL! Yes, big rides do make you reconsider your life choices.
DeleteYou are braver than me.
ReplyDeleteLOL.
DeleteGood for you, Jenn! It takes a lot of strength and intelligence to boulder successfully. Middle Daughter has been an avid climber since she was 15; now she is 41, and has climbed all over the US and in many other countries in South and Central America, Asia, and Europe. She started with rope climbing at the gym and pretty soon found that she enjoyed the challenges of climbing up and over things, unroped. Indoor bouldering is much safer than outdoor, since the entire floor is cushioned. Outdoor bouldering requires a "crash pad" that is no bigger than a double bed mattress, which I have had to keep my brain from thinking about.
ReplyDeleteShe injured her hand this year, and her climbing days might be either over or severely curtailed. It's a miracle she's been able to scramble over rocks for the 25 years she has. The one time she took me to the gym for me to do more than watch was an eye opener. It looked easy, just take the "steps" up to the top. Ha! Not easy at all.
Do you think you'll go back, Jenn? It's a really good workout.
I will go back. I'm determined to level up from beginner yellow! But, oh yes, it was a workout.
DeleteVery brave, Jenn! I don't like heights at all! So good for you!
ReplyDeleteI think being tall gives me an advantage.
DeleteWhat a great post Jenn. Love the photos and it looks like a lot of fun and great exercise!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteFrom Celia: I'm going with the consensus, you are so much more daring than I.
ReplyDeleteI was a very active gran with my gran sons when they were little. We belonged to a well equipped gym with a great pool so I had them swimming at an early age. But the big attraction for the tiny bodies was the rock wall. They had to wear a harness and I remember the lower age was 3, much to the disgust of GS#2. But he is into MMA now so it's not surprising that he wanted to climb as soon as he could talk his way into the harness. I enjoyed watching their successes and fails too noting the perseverance they displayed.
As for me, living through the past five years has been and continues to be a challenge in itself. Where it ends is unknown to me but with much as your Witches Jenn.which I am really enjoying. So my answer is to keep on doing things I enjoy as I have been challenged enough for the time being.
Thank you, Celia. And, yes, life certainly has given you enough challenges at the moment no need to look for more.
DeleteGood for you for trying something new! I found myself watching some of the women's Sport Climbing during last year's Olympics and I was so impressed with them. This sport requires a lot of strength and agility, but also good analytic skills and courage.
ReplyDeleteIt's the thinking while climbing - oof. More of a mental workout than I expected.
DeleteThis is so fabulous, Jenn! My pitiful upper body strength would never let me do this – – it’s enough of a challenge to put my suitcase in the overhead compartment. But I am cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Hank!!!!
DeleteI would so give this a go! I don't like heights so much, but here you're facing the wall with places to put your hands and feet. And you can take a break to catch your breath (hide my panic, in other words). Good for you, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteExactly, Flora!
DeleteTerrifying. Reminds me of watching mountain goats nimbly hopping around on rock faces in... could it have been the Alps? Or maybe BANF? (couldabeen a zoo) This also reminds me of how terrified I made myself just researching how someone might use rope-climbing skills to escape via dumb waiter cables. (See NEVER TELL A LIE) - It's all fine as long as you don't fall, and even with a very padded cushy surface to fall on, it's gonna be ugly and could be worse.
ReplyDeleteSo true! I was determined not to fall, although I did jump once or twice.
DeleteJenn ~ think it's wonderful that the Hooligans involve their mom in these activities. And want to spend time with you. I also think you underestimate your own strength (and courage) it takes to say yes to an athletic activity that's never been tried before...and then voila! succeed. Making memories with your sons...whether rock climbing or running a race...is so special. It's clear by these photos...even when there may have been a wee bit of apprehension...that you were having a good time with H #1. Not only athletic but a good sport about it, too. P.S. Being 75 has reminded me that shushing down the slopes of Aspen may be in the rear view mirror now but thinking back I was taught how to ski correctly by a retired Merchant Marine in his 80's at the time. Although one should never say never. After suffering the effects of Agent Orange...bladder cancer, neuropathy and massive heart attack...my husband Rudi who is nearly 79 bikes 10 miles daily (or walks 5) and still plays 18 holes of golf at least twice a week during the golfing season.
ReplyDeleteYour husband sounds amazing, Evelyn! And brave!
DeleteDebRo
I think half of aging is attitude! Your hubby is amazing!
DeleteJenn, I’ve always thought it looks like fun, but I’m no longer brave enough to try bouldering! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteDebRo
We’ll see if I go again! Lol.
DeleteGood for you, Jenn! I am in awe!! And I am loving Witches so much!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debs!!!
DeleteJENN: Good for you! I did something similar. I was at the science museum for a conference party and I actually climbed to the top! I was also 20 pounds lighter years before perimenopause. I'm still amazed how strong I was and surprised at my ability to do this!
ReplyDeleteWhat was I thinking moments? There were times in the past when I forget to ask for accommodations when going to events. I forgot to let the organizers know that I'm deaf. I've gotten better over the years since I'm in the learning process of advocating for myself. And I take more reality checks - the reality is I'm deaf and I know what I can do and the reality of what is impossible for me to do no matter how hard I try!
Life is such a learning curve, isn’t it? Good for you!
DeleteLooks like fun! Congratulations on making it to the top and climbing (not falling) down. Question - those hand/foot holds look pretty far apart - do they have different walls for different height and skill levels? Asking for a friend :).
ReplyDeleteI need to get out more. I haven't had a what was I thinking moment in a while. I'm thinking I need to change that! Nothing like a challenge.
Bouldering...not going to happen.
ReplyDeleteSomedays, just getting out of bed is enough to have me asking, "What was I thinking?"
I'll be 93 in a few days, and looking back (which requires some skill), I remember being an avid tree climber and daredevil roller skater. Now. . . Is there such thing as an agility marathon using a walker? Should be. It could be called "lumbering." The most athletic thing I actually do is reading in poor light. Lenita V.
ReplyDeleteDon’t think I could do that untethered. I would not want to depend on my arm muscles to hold me .
ReplyDeleteMy most significant "what was I thinking moment?" was when, in my thirties, after a pitifully small number of lessons, I started trying to ski with my Swiss husband, who'd been skiing in the Alps since he was five. My downhill skiing experiment ended abruptly. Since then, while he skis, I hike happily on the winter walking paths, and we meet in the evening for dinner. Works much better.
ReplyDelete