Monday Motivation – Finding success through climbing.
Lessons for success a the North Country Climbing Center.
You’re not a failure if you don’t make it. You’re a success because you tried. –Susan Jeffers
I’ve been surprising myself lately as I have been unusually open to trying things that in the past would have made me quiver with fear. This weekend with wind chills sending the temperature well below zero we decided that it would be a great day to go and check out the North Country Climbing Center (N3C) in Lisbon, NH. Prior to our visit I had been hearing great things about the climbing gym and had been seeing awesome pictures from the rock walls plastering my facebook feed. The North Country Climbing Center offers open climb where you can have an instructor working with you to belay you, you can also spend time on the bouldering wall or if you are certified to belay you can climb with your partner. The also offer a women’s climbing night every week which I am now curious to try.
Organic Runner Girl feeling proud on the climibing wall.
Our visit started with getting the kids and ourselves outfitted with harnesses and climbing shoes and then a basic tour of the climbing space. The gym features brightly colored climbing routes of varying difficulties and an area for bouldering that has a giant mat in case you fall. We were happy to run into several people we knew at the gym who also came out of their cozy cocoons at home for a little daytime adventure. Organic Runner Dad went first and quickly climbed to the top of the first route. The kids were nervous at first but after seeing their Daddy climb and enjoying a little dancing as they waited were ready to give it a shot. They each took a turned climbing on belay with the instructor. Even though they didn’t make it too far up the wall you could feel the pride beaming out of them as they gave it a try. This was a good lesson in the meaning of success.
Finding success in trying at the North Country Climbing Center.
After seeing my kids give it a try all fear had subsided and I was ready for my turn. I felt relaxed and ready to climb. In the past I have felt unsure and not trusting. I worried that no matter what happened I would fall and it would be scary. This time when I started climbing I felt strong and empowered. I focused on the hand and footholds on the wall. The wall became like a puzzle with my focus being on finding the best way to maneuver my body from one hold to the next. I trusted my own strength and felt reassured by the instructor who belayed me. She encouraged me to use the strength in my legs and to trust my choices as I moved upward. Finally I made it to the top of the first route. It felt exhilarating. When I came back down my adrenaline was high and was ready for more.
Trying out some bouldering at N3C.
We took turns spotting the kids as they worked on climbing in the bouldering section of the wall (and having fun running around on the mat and dancing like little maniacs). I ended up completing four routes in all. It was exhausting but now I am ready to climb some more. Through this climbing experienced I pushed through and invisible wall within myself. In the past I would have passed on climbing, worried that I’d be too scared. This time I was determined to climb no matter what and I no longer felt afraid to fall from the wall.
Finding my own success.
There is so much satisfaction and pride in knowing that you have tried your best even if you did not make it to the top. What was a challenge that you have worked through or continuing to work through and how have you measured your success?
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This terrifies and intrgues me at the same time. Good for you!
Elle recently posted…Keeping On…
What a great reminder that success is more about the process of continually trying versus getting to the top, coming in first, etc. etc. etc. I wish there was a climbing facility here on island because you now have me wanting to take my family to one to give it a try! That says a lot since I do have a crazy fear of heights.
Erica G recently posted…Motivation Monday: The Martin Luther King Version
That looks amazing. My boys would LOVE something like that. Me, well… maybe. lol
Kerri Olkjer recently posted…Strawberry Protein Faux-Yo Recipe
Awesome job! I know about that fear. Across the street from us is a climbing wall that runs right up the side of a hotel! When my niece was staying with us, but didn’t have friends to go out with, I braved it and went up the climbing wall with her – not all the way to the top (that is some serious stuff!) but up the first section – scary enough for me with nothing but street below!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free recently posted…10 Good Healthy Snacks for Sweet Cravings
I’m terrified of heights but I really enjoyed climbing years ago(indoor. Outside? No way!). Your post reminds me I should take the kids to our climbing center. They’d love it!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…Boston Marathon Training: Week 1 & 2
Recently did that myself too. It’s way scarier than I thought. Even though I knew I couldn’t fall I was still scared. Fun!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…“Creamy” Chick Pea & Tomato Soup
The last time I did a rock climbing wall was in gymnastics class years ago! Haha! I would love to try it again though! I’d be so much better now! But heights do freak me out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Why This Yogi Loves Inversions…And You Should Too!
Why is it the kids seem to scale up the wall like nothing to it and some adults struggle? I found my experience exhilarating not knowing I was preggers with my now 7-year old son.
Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…What I Thought About Barre
This is on my list of things I’d like to try someday. Glad you enjoyed it!
MCM Mama recently posted…12 Easy weeknight meals + training plans
Fun! I tried climbing for the first time last spring & found it to be an incredible workout. My forearms and hands were so sore afterwards, my grip strength sucks. It was amazing!
Janice – The Fitness Cheerleader recently posted…MotivateMe Monday: Summer Bodies are Earned in the Winter
So much fun! We have a great climbing gym near us and I’m dying to take my kids. I think that they would love it. I have a slight fear of heights but the times that I’ve climbed, it’s so much fun!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Stubborn
We actually have a climbing wall at our camp we can use for free, but it has been a looong time since I’ve climbed–I think you’ve inspired me! Climbing is a great reminder that most of our fear is from ourselves not reality–in reality you CAN’T fall–your partner has you, but it’s still easy to feel fearful. Great reminder and way to go!
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…Healthy and Family Friendly Casseroles
AWESOME Sandra! We had a climbing wall at the previous gym (YMCA) I worked at. I never expected to enjoy climbing as much as I did! Hope to get back to it one day!
RFC recently posted…130 Laps.
That looks both awesome and terrifying all at once! For the longest time my fear was swimming. That was a tough one to get past but I’m so glad I did.
steph recently posted…Mayhem Monday: Riding Roller Coasters for Fun
Looks like so much fun!
Jamie King recently posted…Butter beans & kale salad
My greatest challenge now is my arthritic knee. I guess those 25 plus years of teaching have finally caught up with me. I’m still working on it. Congrats for conquering your fear.
The Frugal Exerciser recently posted…Win Organic Juice Boxes From Farmivore
This sounds like an awesome day! I’ve only been climbing once and it was outdoors (which was TERRIFYING because you have no idea where to put your hands or feet!) but I loved how awesome it felt to reach the top! Congrats on doing an awesome job and trying something scary and new!
Kristen recently posted…Why I’m Running The Zion Half Marathon