Cold Climbing
I woke up a little earlier to fuel up for the climb today.
After class around 11:30, we head out to Franklin, West Virginia to do some climbing.
It was these 3 girls I know from my school and then this other guy they know who was really nice and pretty good.
We had to drive up and then down to through this one mountain range, and the trip only took like half an hour.
It was pretty sunny, but throughout the whole time, it would change from sunny to cloudy and cold to warm.
The first route we did was a 5.9, but it was still pretty tough since it was my first outdoor climb. It’s A LOT different than indoor climbing. Indoor climbing is so predictable. Outdoors, you really have to search for holds and be more creative. It’s also just a lot rougher. You know those really positive holds at the gym? They aren’t outside. The positive ones are either simply a shelf or a direction hold.
Before my climb, I lead belayed the other guy, causing the first digits of my fingers to get numb with coldness. Then I climbed, but it was pretty damn difficult. First of all, it was difficult for me to figure out what to do. Second of all, my hands were SO GODDAMN cold that it was insanely hard to feel the holds. I wasn’t sure if what I was feeling was a hold or the numbness of my hand. Also, it was difficult dealing with chalk when my hands were cold. Eventually I got it, and it was really rewarding.
I had lots of fun with climbing and the people :) Can’t wait to go again!
Not much needs to be said about Joan Benoit because her steps speak more than her words ever could. The story behind this race is an amazing one, in March of 1984, Benoit seriously injured her knee during a 20 mile training run and was forced to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery. Assumed to be out for the count just a mere 17 days before the United States Olympic Women’s Marathon Trials Benoit toed the line and won! Three months later at the Olympic games in Los Angeles, even after her impressive effort at the trials, she was not considered a threat to contend for the podium. However, Joan was a different kind of runner cut from a separate cloth and instead of sitting back and playing it safe she took the early lead at mile #2 and charged to a blistering pace. Believing she was a playing a fool’s game the field let her go assuming she would fade back or quit. Unfortunately for them Benoit was in the process of making a legend out of herself. Joan did not fade, she did not quit, settle back or surrender. Instead she pushed forward, pressed on and ran her way to Olympic glory by winning the first ever (official) Olympic women’s marathon.
she is fantastic. that hat is fantastic.
This is by far my favorite video I have ever seen on the internet.
Love Someone - Dub FX
Running is a drug. I’m convinced.
YESS IT ISSS!!!
I get withdrawals if I don’t run for like 3 days.
(Source: hercrossroads, via runningforeternity)
Anonymous asked: So, just out of curiosity, what happened between you and Megan. I mean, you guys seemed pretty close!
Nothing happened. She just picked up and left. Deactivated all her accounts and stopped talking to everyone from Tumblr, including me. I was definitely hurt, so I messaged her on Facebook. This is just something she needs to do right now. It’s unfortunate she is trying to do it by herself. Sometimes I have felt that I needed to go through some things alone, but then I realize that’s why we have loved ones. Life isn’t meant to go through alone. Your loved ones are always there to support you.
We were close…and we still are. I just hope she comes back.
Boulder Passion
When I first started climbing, the plentiful and difficult bouldering problems are what drew me in. It wasn’t top-roping with its heights and endurance. It was the quick, short, and powerful moves of bouldering.
For the first time since then, I have felt the same passion for bouldering I once have. They recently set a lot of cool routes, and I tried a couple for the first time. It was really nice to feel that love for bouldering again :)
However, I will not lost sight of top-roping because that’s where its at. Bouldering will only get you so far. With top-roping, the possibilities are endless.
Hopefully we will go outdoor climbing tomorrow and it will be AWESOME.
Prins Charming: This is a Craigslist add for a yoga mat. The best Craigslist post I’ve... »
This is a Craigslist add for a yoga mat. The best Craigslist post I’ve ever seen. Ever.
Yoga mat for sale. Used once. - $1 (Bellevue)Yoga mat for sale. Used once at lunch hour class in December 2009. Usage timeline as follows:
11:45a
Register for hot yoga class. Infinite wisdom tells me to…
Outdoor climbing tomorrow?
As long as the weather stays alright, Yours Truly is going climbing outdoors tomorrow! Huzzah! That would be fricken awesome. Especially since I’ve never climbed outside before.
However…it looks like rain.
Oh well, que sera sera
This is where the words go that I’m feeling.
http://i-run-to-be-happy.tumblr.com/ (my 2nd running blog)
posting from w0nder-w0unded.tumblr.com
I know this isn’t a picture of nike shoes or whatever, but it’s of my friend at 2010 nike nationals, at the first muddy turn, she fell and was trampled, but finished the race. She need about 26 stitches. She is an inspiration.
Also: if you look at the bottom of her ankle, the blood running down her leg looks like a nike swoosh (:
this is fucking awesome
I remember reblogging this before… but it’s still amazing. Not saying I want something like this to happen to me, but it’s cool when stuff like that does, and you still come out victorious.
AWESOME! So bad ass. Hopefully during my ultra, a bear or coyote will attack me, I’ll have to kick its ass with my bare hands while getting bleeding scratch marks across my chest, and then I shall be known as Coyote Bigman for the rest of my life and everyone will revere me as a resident BAMF.
(via justrunthroughit)
justrunthroughit asked: Your posts are so funny, I just wanted to let you know you're awesome. Not a lot of people are so brashly free-spirited, I think it's great!
Haha thanks…? I looked up the definition, and I don’t think you meant the denotation :P But I’m pretty sure you meant this positively, so thanks!
Yoga then meditation!
After classes today, I strolled on over to the gym to do yoga at 4:15. It was soooo nice. We did a couple of new things, and I tried to have good form throughout. It was physically tough as always, but it was fantastic at the same time. I haven’t really been in a setting similar to XC practice for a long time, but that was close to it. It reminded me of strength workouts after practice. The short meditation at the end was also really nice. The teacher was gorgeous also :)
After that, my friend and I went over to a Turning In meeting. Turning In is a club which is secularly spiritual. My friends have been and I know the leader, but I had never been for. The leader, Rob, is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He is just so kind and loving. Anyway, we started out by going around a circle and saying who we want to give light to. I gave light to my oldest sister because yesterday was her birthday. I also gave it to Chris and Connor because we shared a very special moment the other day.
Then this reggae rasta dude spoke, and he definitely opened my mind. After that, we had a short 10 minute meditation in which I had some colorful images flash in my head. That has never really happened, and it was really cool to just watch them and not try to affect them in any way. It was a fantastic meeting and a wonderful day.
I wish everyone a fantastic rest of the week :)
Love, peace, and kindness
almondsofjoy asked: Guys running in short shorts are hot :)
WINK! ;)
estebanlugo asked: Hey, I read your post about people being dicks. When I ran, I came to the conclusion that bitches just be jealous. I had some people do the same every now and then, but I also had people who, while I waited at the stop light, would offer me a water or Gatorade. Some people are just meant to be assholes. Just look at this way, you're doing amazing things with your life and they've reached and probably passed the peak of their life. They're going nowhere. You're awesome, just remember that :)
Wow! Thanks :) You’re 100% right. Some people have offered me water and whatnot while on runs. It’s nice to know they are out there. On the flip side, I also feel for the mean people. It’s important to be aware that they have just as many hopes, just as high aspirations, and feel love just as deeply. They are simply misguided sometimes and in some aspects. Best wishes to you!
Anonymous asked: I have a huge internet/tumblr crush on you ;)
akldfjsdhflkjsdhf AWE SHUX I’m flattered :)
No need to be anon
