Breakthrough

I didn't feel like climbing today.  I had to use the "Eli Standard."  When I was climbing with my youngest boy, Eli, there were days when I didn't want to climb, but I made myself go, for him.  Now, years later, when I start to think of reasons why I won't hike or climb today, I ask myself: if I were climbing with Eli, would I go?  Mostly, when I ask myself that question, I find don't have a good reason not to go.

Today I used the Eli standard, and it turned out to be a great day.  The not feeling good evaporated the minute I got on the wall, and I saw true progress.  Several routes I couldn't get before fell into place, and I had that sweetest of all feelings, that feeling of ultimate freedom, of flying.

Today I focused on taking a deep, relaxing breath after every move.  This seems it would make for a lot of hang time on the wall, but it turns out it doesn't take that long, and ultimately it conserves energy, because it relaxes my whole body.  It reminds me not to over-grip.

Climbing is back in my life, like an old friend returned.  All the old feelings are there; the anticipation as I lace up my climbing shoes, the exhilaration and freedom of climbing, and the calm sense of "rightness" that comes over me when the climb is over.

Tomorrow is rest day.

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