Where it all began

I wrote this about a week into my climbing journey, first published on my personal blog but I'm resurrecting it here:

10th September 2017

I was adamant that I wanted to start climbing long before I got my acceptance onto my MA, and despite my legs being the most bruised they have ever been, I think it was a brilliant decision. Here's why:

There is so much to learn. Where it seems to me that some sports are a constant test of speed, endurance and strength, climbing involves a lot of technical skills and thinking. I really enjoy having to think things through and just try hard, rather than be put down for not being strong or fast enough. And there's a whole other language of grades, holds, and moves to learn.

It has kept me grounded. The irony. The first couple of weeks of beginning university again have been great and made me feel pretty good about myself, academically and socially, but I've found that climbing stops my head getting too gigantic. It is excruciatingly obvious that I am new to climbing. It is not unusual to see me a few feet in the air feebly wailing 'I'm gonna fall!!!!!!!!' or 'I can't get my foot up there, are you crazy?!' It has brought me crashing back down to earth, sometimes literally...

I've fallen a couple of times and I'm okay. Not only has it taken me down a peg or two when necessary, but it has encouraged me to push my self because falling isn't so bad. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Just like Chumbawamba said, 'I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna bring me down.'

Small victories. I've felt proud of myself when I've completed a route I have been struggling with, even if it is a very easy level. I've found climbing to be a lot easier in terms of measuring progress than other sports.

The camaraderie between climbers. At least at Warwick, this is amazing. People you barely know will shout encouragement and tips from the floor, and they will congratulate you when you finish a route after they've seen how hard you have been trying. It could have been one that they find so easy that they use for warming up, but the only way you'd know that is from seeing them warm up on it.

DOMS. Call me a masochist but I just love getting delayed onset muscle soreness, it makes me feel like I've really done something.

Endorphins. The best reason to do any exercise.

A social life. In the two years between graduating and returning back to the world of academia my social life dwindled into almost non existence. I'm making friends and getting a sense of belonging. Climbing has turned out to be a pretty sociable activity, not only the actual climbing part but also they all seem to be fans of the pub.

and finally...

SEXY HAND CALLOUSES. I've never had particularly attractive hands, they are too big for even my gangly monkey arms, I'm terrible at painting my nails and I'm sure some of my fingers are crooked. The fact that you have to get used to your hands getting rough and callous-y makes me feel like I can really embrace my unfortunate hands.