Yet another interest: indoor rock climbing

If you haven't figured this out yet from reading my blog, I'll let you in on the "secret": I am a jock. I love playing lots of different sports. I love competition and being physical. I play and watch a multitude of sports because it is fun. My friends often joke about sportsball and I'm definitely a sportsballer.

Most difficult climb I've done.

Recently, I've been turned on to indoor rock climbing. Indoor climbing - if you have never been - is essentially a wall with crags, cliffs, juts, etc. that a person uses hand and footholds to climb up. With top rope climbing, you are harnessed into a climbing belt and someone else anchors you and keeps you from falling (known as a belayer). This is the type I have been doing because lead climbing requires more skill and strength and it is a little more dangerous since you can get twisted into the rope if you fall or even hit the ground if you aren't high enough or belayer is not skilled. You typically have to take a special test at the local climbing gym to be allowed to lead climb and lead belay.

Climbs are scaled with a numbering system that rates how difficult the climb is. So a 5 intro is an easy climb for a beginner while a 5.12d is a very difficult climb with lots of technical aspects. For triathletes to get a frame of reference this is similar to the difference between a beginner sprint triathlon and a 140.6 race.

For the casual/amateur athlete, rock climbing is not only challenging, but rewarding. Picking a goal and trying to accomplish it gives you a boost just like finishing a difficult race. When I climb, I try to start out with a warm-up, which right now this is around a 5.6/5.7. Then I choose a harder climb for a challenge. Sometimes I make it. Sometimes I don't, but either way I feel accomplished after.

Navigating a climb.

Almost there. Customary to touch the pulley to finish.

I like rock climbing as a cross-training tool as well since it uses balance, leg strength, and coordination. These are all useful for the swimming and cycling portions of the triathlons. I recommend it for those times that you just get bored with indoor workouts or weightlifting! Just be careful because twisted ankles are a possibility if you climb, especially if you boulder.