Climbing Week 3

Climbing last night was sooooooo good! I was a little worried because I did so badly the previous week but I think I may have had some kind of bug because I kept going lightheaded even when I was standing around doing nothing, so it wasn’t ideal!

This week my energy levels were up, I was feeling confident and determined to succeed! I clambered up a grade 3 climb in seconds so spent the rest of the evening attacking grade 4-6 climbs which offered a bit more of a challenge. I discovered I’m rubbish at smearing (sticking your foot flat against the wall and pushing yourself up) so will have to practice a bit more in that department, but really got to grips with shifting my weight around for optimum manoeuvrability, keeping my arms straight taking less weight on my muscles and more on my old bones, and managed to use some ridiculously small nooks and crannies to cling onto – at one point I was balancing on 1 big toe whilst reaching for a decent hand-hold! Ethan Hunt eat your heart out! ;o)

For the last 10 minutes of our class time we took to the bouldering walls where we were able to clamber around without ropes and harness. The bouldering area has a really deep squishy crash mat for a floor, so if you do happen to fall off it absorbs some of the impact and you won’t hurt yourself as much! As our instructor pointed out though, it isn’t completely hazard free – if you land on a funny angle injuries can still occur, so it’s always best to exercise a little caution and not fling yourself around with wanton abandon! It was whilst bouldering that I received my first climbing injury – I grazed the back of my hand and an elbow – extremely minor but in my mind, a momentous occasion as it marked the beginning of a whole string of dings I’ll receive having fun on the walls!

Unfortunately one of the members of our little posse had a mountain biking accident earlier in the week and wasn’t able to join us for our final class so the night wasn’t quite as good as it should have been, but we all did really well on our climbs and all felt a massive sense of achievement. We all passed our assessments and are now fully fledged members of the Harrogate Climbing Centre – yey us!

Our plan now is to carry on practicing for a few weeks, do the leading course and then take to the great outdoors!

This week...

After having a pretty eventful weekend with friends and family, the beginning of this work week was a bit of an anti-climax and by Tuesday morning I was just totally bummed out! That evening I could have hidden myself away at home eating ice-cream whilst watching a chick-flick, but since I’m trying to regain a little bit of my social life and be more active, plumped for an evening of swimming with a friend instead.

Going swimming is always interesting when you’re a people watcher...

The middle-aged women who turn up in little groups and spend 95% of their time huddled against the wall “ooooing” and “ahhhhing” about the latest scandal amongst friends and discussing the plot of Emmerdale always make me smile. Then there’s the sporadic 2 minute spurts spent actually swimming when the flock simultaneously launch from their wall, conversation still in full flow, parting the paths of other swimmers who’d been quite happily doing lengths uninterrupted.

Then there are the lane swimmers – the beautiful buff people with near perfect swimsuit bods, coveted by mere mortals such as myself, who cruise effortlessly up and down the pool in their designated lanes, blissfully unaware of the middle-aged women posse causing havoc metres away.

The loved-up couple – another breed of wall hugger that spend their time lip-locked in a corner, giggling and cavorting, with a few lengths of flirty swimming thrown in. Other swimmers throw disapproving glances their way but I wonder how many of them secretly wish they were in a similar position.

The familiar face – someone who obviously recognises you, says hi and may even instigate a conversation – all the while you’re thinking “who the hell are you?!?!” whilst keeping up the facade that you know exactly who this person is as they reel off their life’s story and tell you how much little Timmy has grown... Little Timmy?!?!?

Then there was my friend and I... 1 hour of non-stop lengths, merrily splashing around, trying hard not to get in anyone else’s way but inadvertently kicking a few people in the process, my mate checking her hair hadn’t turned green in the chlorinated water, quietly appreciating the token buffed-up lane swimmer as he exited the pool, and weighing up whether or not we’d get away with doing a few handstands in the shallow end (we decided the Tuesday night crowd probably wouldn’t approve of our arses protruding from the water like a couple of demented ducks, so behaved ourselves). I laughed so much I got a stitch and bid adieu to the work-week blues!

Tonight’s activity – week 2 of my climbing class! Today we’ll be practicing falling. I personally am well versed in falling – do it regularly although in fairness never from anything higher than my loft and without ropes to get tangled up in – so tonight should be interesting!

Climbing Higher!!!

I'm scared of heights. Absolutely petrified. Just looking at a picture of something 'high' gives me sweaty palms and palpitations! I haven’t always been like that – once-upon-a-time I was the loon dangling off the outside of the bridge spanning Howstean Gorge tormenting my boyfriend at the time who was terrified I was going to kill myself (sorry by the way).

Howstean Gorge

When I became a mother 5 years ago, life just seemed more precious. My son was born with a rare heart defect and had to undergo major heart surgery. Having to face the harsh reality that I might only have a few days with the gorgeous little bundle I carried for 9 months really opened my eyes to just how fragile life is.

My post-op baby

My gorgeous bundle!

This resulted in the emergence of a few fears – going too fast in the car (especially if someone else was driving!), heights, the dark, and being home alone. Some were short-lived – I love star gazing, seize any opportunity to blast out the cobwebs on a motorbike and cherish my alone time. The fear of heights has lingered though.

Yesterday I took a massive step towards conquering my fear. I attended my first beginners climbing class! I wore my Muse concert t-shirt because it conjures happy thoughts from their concert in Springfiled, which I thought I might need several metres up a wall! Our group of 5 beginners began by learning how to tie a figure of 8 knot, attach ourselves to the rope properly, set up the belay and manoeuvre our hands to belay effectively without our partners plummeting to their untimely demise...

Then we climbed!!! My feet felt like lead, my body was fighting against my mind refusing to move my feet onto the first foothold and I felt like a potato – a lump incapable of movement! Then a 10 year old kid flew up the wall next to me and my pride hit me over the head like a breeze block! Can’t be having a munchkin outdo me!!! I focussed on UP and in no time at all was at the top!!! Yey me! I looked down, saw a few faces looking up at me, felt a bit wobbly and tried to face the inevitable getting down bit...

Releasing the death grip and taking your hands off the hand holds that are keeping you stuck to the wall is the most unnatural thing in the world. I had to prize my fingers off the pink and yellow knobbles, place them around the rope that dangled me precariously above my team mates’ heads, stretch my legs out and walk down the wall as my partner lowered me down. The squashy floor was a sweet relief to my feet! The buzz was amazing – I was physically shaking and my palms drenched with sweat, but I was so pleased with myself!

We spent 2 hours climbing various walls with little challenges thrown in, getting higher and I improved with every climb, gaining confidence and conquering my fear of heights.

The class was fab, the staff professional and friendly, the facilities spot on – all highly recommended! I’m looking forward to my next 2 lessons and then regular visits to the wall for lots of climbing shenanigans!

If anyone's interested in indoor wall climbing in the Harrogate area, click here for info about Harrogate Climbing Centre!

Race for Life - I did it!

I completed the Race for Life successfully on the 24th June 2009 - woo-hoo!!!
The atmosphere was wonderful - approximately 3000 women ran the Race for Life in Harrogate's Yorkshire Show Ground. The group was split into 3 sections - runners at the front, joggers in the middle, and walkers at the back. I joined the joggers group with a couple of work colleagues from Harrogate College - it took us a good 5 minutes to reach the start line as there were so many people in front of us. We started off well, jogging steadily around the outside of a field and up to the steadily inclining course. I tried to maintain a rhythm but it was incredibly difficult when so many people had started walking and blocked the track! I think next year the etiquet of running races should be highlighted, and the walkers should move to the side to allow the runners to pass easily without having to battle through! I was very frustrated and ended up with a painful stitch! I ended up walking some of the way but managed to maintain a jog for most of the 5k which is achievement enough for me! I crossed the finish line with a smile on my extremely red face, along with one of the ladies I started with. All in all, I had an extremely enjoyable evening and the sense of achievement was fantastic! I ran with my Great Aunt's name on my back and the thought of her battle against cancer in my mind to drive me forward. Thanks to Cancer Research for organising these wonderful fundraising events and to all the women who took part to raise money for such a worthwhile cause!

If anyone would like to make a sponsorship donation towards Cancer Research, please visit my sponsorship page at the following link:

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/beckyjatta

I'm contemplating doing a 10k run but I'll have to see how my training goes! After the Race for Life I came down with a nasty cold so haven't done any running for the last week. I have printed off the training plan for the 10k run and hope to gradually build myself up so I can feel that sense of achievement again soon!

On the weight loss front, I haven't been near the scales for a while but I don't think I've done too badly with my diet (except an ice-cream but I think a treat like that on a hot day keeps you going sometimes!).

Until next time, signing out!

Bxxx

Computer Tuition to Help Elderly People Stay Independent

Computers seem to be everywhere these days! From the Personal Computer gathering dust in the corner, to the cash machine on the street, sometimes it's easy to forget just how much technology rules our everyday lives. Take a moment to think about the elderly citizens of the UK.

Modern technology has advanced so quickly that many mature individuals may feel overwhelmed and left behind in such a computerised world. Information and communication technology is now the way of life and knowing the basics can open so many doors - new forms of cheap entertainment are made available, choices as a consumer become unbounded by internet shopping on the World Wide Web, and communication with friends and family using email and instant messaging services has never been so cheap and so much fun!

For the younger generations it is easier to adapt to technological advances, but for more mature individuals, the thought of learning something new and unfamiliar can be very daunting. A good example to mention here is my grandma who is approaching 80. She is so technology-phobic that she refused to touch a mobile phone for fear of breaking it or accidentally calling the queen! She required oodles of patience, gentle persuasion and clear instruction to master the art of a mobile call, but now reaps the benefits of feeling a little more secure whilst out shopping knowing her family are just a button’s push away. Likewise computers can offer elderly people an element of empowerment and heightened independence, especially for those who may have physical or psychological problems which may cause accessibility issues.

Once the fundamental basics of computing have been mastered, individuals can experience the freedom to shop without assistance, carry out hobbies, be involved in social forums and have a voice. I see this as a positive method of combating seclusion and maintaining an active mind.

Local colleges and local authorities, such as North Yorkshire County Council, regularly offer reasonably priced computer courses designed especially for beginners. These courses begin with the very basic fundamentals and assume nothing about your previous learning, only that you are completely new to computing.

But what about those who would prefer to learn on their own computer, don’t like a group environment or would just prefer to stay at home? For those individuals it may be worth considering the services of a personal computer tutor who will work on a 1 to 1 basis with the individual, usually in the individual’s home, and completely at the individual’s pace.

One such service is HG1Tuition (www.hg1t.com) based in Harrogate - a newly launched computer tuition business which offers friendly, fun and supportive computer tuition directed at elderly learners, those who need to start from the very beginning and those who need to build some computing confidence. Training providers such as HG1Tuition maybe a little more expensive than enrolling on a college course, but learners can specify what they would like to learn from one day to the next, so no time is wasted covering things deemed irrelevant.

I feel that many older adults may be receptive to using technology if introduced to it in a comfortable environment. Computing technology can become a major hobby and interest in the lives of the elderly. I urge all older adults to take on the challenge of a little bit of IT learning which, in turn, will open up the world! Well, the World Wide Web anyway… :o)