On April 9th I tweeted that before my final term starts, I want to complete a V3 bouldering problem. The reason I tweeted, as stated in said tweet, was to hold myself accountable. Are any of my twitter followers going to check up on me if I haven't tweeted my progress on day 11? Very unlikely. But like tracking my climbs on UKC, it is just so satisfying.
Why V3? I hear you ask. Well V4 would have been ridiculous seeing as I set this goal before I'd even completed a V2. V3 is definitely still pushing it, but pushing it means pushing myself.
Before I went off to climb on some Spanish rock, I was climbing some V2s in the bouldering room/the ballroom, with some struggles. I didn't go as far as doing outdoor bouldering while I was away, so being away bouldering for 10 days saw a decrease in my ability. Probably a lot to do with confidence.
The first mission was to get back to where I was pre tour.
Day 1- Taking my own advice
Taking my own advice from my previous post on how not to get sent home early I 'warm up' properly, forgoing any embarrassment and doing VBs, V0s and all the V1s I can muster without tiring myself out, before I start on my project. I'd tried this yellow and black when it was first set and just could not get that last move. Still couldn't get it today, but went for it which is often my biggest issue - just climbing up to the crux and jumping off because it looks hard. I did fall and hit a lot of the holds on the way down so it proved unsuccessful, but the good thing about falling especially from the top, is that that is as bad as what it is going to be. I was also able to remember that I had had quite a while away from bouldering so I wasn't too hard on myself.
Day 2 - Accepting help
Accepting help but also trying to find your own way of making it.
On day two I went when it was a bit busier so it was more intimidating than usual, but the benefit of it being busier meant more beta. Like having someone proof read your essay, what you're doing makes so much sense to you no matter how many times you have personally gone over it. Having someone watch what you are doing, give you some advice, even the totally mortifying bit where they get on the wall and show you exactly how you just climbed it.
Day 3 - Trust Your Feet
Of course I did the V2 again. To make sure it wasn't a fluke, to make sure I keep the confidence to do
that move. (a very high and somewhat unstable foot, with hands that don't feel especially great either), to practise that foot placement. I have at times been a one and done kinda climber, feeling elated at achieving my goal and moving straight on to the next project. But now, especially as the whole room has been quite recently reset, I feel I have some time to perfect my climbs and work on new projects. I tried AGAIN with
that yellow and black fiend. And readers, I sent it. After another couple of falls.
Day 4 - Rest day.
As said in this post. We all need them. And believe it or not, I do have other priorities outside of climbing. i.e my masters degree. I also have muscles I need to rest. Climbing when my muscles are tired will not help my journey.
Day 5 - Continuity
No significant progress, but back there, doing the V2s, still trying, still putting the hours in.
Day 6. Getting Inspired
Watching the Women's Semi Finals and getting inspired to push myself and ACHIEVE.
Day 7 - Change of Scenery
Days 8 & 9 - Troughing
Honestly the idea of going back into the sweaty bouldering room at uni kind of repulsed me, especially after spending a good couple of hours in the vastly more airy Ballroom. However at £6.50 a pop, and having already paid for my year at Warwick, I couldn't justify another couple of sessions in the Ballroom. Also with it being outside of term time, it was up to me to motivate myself, and likely to have no one giving me any beta when I got there.
Days 10 to 14 - Plateauing
My days in the bouldering room didn't make for good recording. I carried on practising V2s and attempting V3s, but reach the end of a V3 I did not.
However, all is not lost. When I set this challenge for myself, making the V3 wasn't out of the question, but it was ambitious. Since trying really hard and holding myself accountable, I have seen it is less out of my reach than I first thought. I have become more disciplined, more active, stronger and more confident. So while I may have 'failed' this challenge, I still feel like a success.
I have learned how difficult it is to stay motivated when you are all you have to stay motivated, and although it is definitely not the same as having someone to meet there, the replies and likes on twitter can be good for giving you a little push.
