*05/20/09, Thursday – So yesterday, Henry gathered a bunch of people together to go wall climbing at Chelsea Piers. It’s been long overdue. We’ve been wanting to go back for some time now. Finally we got to go for a second time. We got a great group together – Henry and me, Guy from work, Karen and her friend Min, Janet and Dan, Janet’s bro and another friend of theirs. All together we had nine people. Cool thing is Guy and I even saw Karmelina there before she went off to play her Women’s League game. Even before we started our climb, my biceps hurt because I worked out back and biceps the day before. I tried to take it easy so I didn’t do the bouldering too much. It gave me a boost of confidence when one of the guys said I looked like I knew what I was doing so he didn’t guide me as much. I zoomed up the first try and got back down pretty quickly. That was easy. I don’t remember trying different routes as much. I guess I don’t really remember the easy ones.
I tried out some of the routes that Henry and I did the last time we were here for our birthdays. The red route which Henry said gave me trouble last time surprised me at one point because I had to do a weird turning thing to reach the next grip up. I had to corkscrew my body to reach higher o.O. The guides were great at guiding me though and were very patient as well. The path that really killed me was the mint green path at the middle. There were grips that were just too far out of reach and I had my body diagonal. At this point, my hands were sweaty, my arm strength was low and I couldn’t get up without having to rest and resort to using the rope to help me a times. I did eventually make it to the top but that took every last bit out of me. Next time, I’m starting out with that red and green path so I have more energy when I attempt it.
Its always fun going climbing. I hope I could do it more often. I also noticed that with my nervousness and excitement and adrenaline pumping, I have so much more energy and I’m even a lot more sociable. Working out really does help me even beyond toning!
After climbing, everyone else went their separate ways and Karen, Henry and I grabbed a burger at New York Burger Company. A good meal after a great workout.
Gallery: http://calbearmnm.smugmug.com/gallery/8346777_Pk24Q
Today’s been pretty chill. I’m not as stressed, especially since I have nothing planned after work. I’m looking forward to a relaxing/fun Memorial Day weekend. Four days off! w00t!~
