Indoor climbing

10. September 2007 · Write a comment · Categories: climbing

Jake and I went climbing for the second time today. We climbed at an indoor gym called Peak Experiences. They advertise themselves as one of the East Coast’s largest indoor rock climbing centers. They have many walls to climb, equipment to rent, classes and so on. It’s not been that crowded when we have gone (twice now), so it’s been low key and somewhat relaxing.

Both Jake and I took our belay test this week, after attending out introduction class last weekend. We both passed with flying colors. This translates into me being belay certified and Jake (being under 16) has to have 15 observed belays, but no more than 5 in any day. Of course, this meant that I climbed 5 times today so will likely be sore tomorrow. I fell once (he caught me), and skinned my arm against the rock. No big deal, just a small scrape. Jake climbed to the top of their 50-foot wall, their biggest climb (although not too challenging other than the height). While I don’t need to have a back up belayer, Jake still requires someone to back him up until he’s completed the 15 belays.

We received a 2-week trial membership with the class, so got in for just the rental today. Once again, this was a great bonding opportunity for us – and one that we will continue as time and money permits.

Back to running on the street

02. September 2007 · Write a comment · Categories: climbing, running

The forecast for Saturday (yesterday) was to be a cool morning, so Sara and I decided to start running on the street again. Both of us have been running on treadmills during the heat of the summer, but it was September, so cooler weather was around the corner. We ran three miles, certainly not the distance we used to run, but enough to get our feet wet, so to speak, with the streets. She’ll be out of town the next two weekends, so I will need to find another partner or two, or hit the streets solo. My goal is to run a 10K on October 13th – now less than six weeks away. Now where is my training book from the 10K in April? I guess I need between 3 – 4 miles every Monday and Wednesday, plus cross training (elliptical) on Thursday, and a long run on Saturday. Either that or suffer through the 10K on the 13th!

Today, Jake and I are going to an indoor climbing gym (http://www.peakexperiences.com/climbing-center/About-us.htm). While I used to climb in college, I haven’t been for years. Climbing is a very humbling experience as I remember, but once you let go of your fear of falling, you can enjoy the fact that you have no strength in your fingers to keep your old, fat body from falling when you make the next move. Of course, my legs are stronger now than they have been ever, I presume, and that won’t hurt. Jake is like a monkey, however – tall and lean, and getting stronger every day.

Tomorrow morning (Labor Day), I’m planning on hitting the local industrial park for a long solo run. Of course, that is dependent on not killing myself at the climbing gym today!