November 19, 2006
I was working on this post Thursday morning before David saw the cardiologist and our weekend plans changed. I've decided to post it anyway, though, since I can.
Our running is proceeding somewhat smoothly, although we won't be continuing for another 2 weeks, or so, when David is all recovered. We're up to 7 minute stretches, with 2 minute walks, but next we jump to 10 minutes and then the plan indicates within 4 weeks we'll be running for an hour. Of course I'm not sure we'll agree with the plan, but so far things have gone quite well, except...
I have always been prone to side 'stitches.' I don't know if my diaphram is in the wrong place or what, but I get cramps fairly easily, which is part of the reason I haven't liked running till now. But with the running program I didn't even think about getting stitches until last week, when at the end of the fifth running set I got a debilitating pain in my side. Ouch! Naturally we did all sorts of research on the web and the next time we went out I tried various things (side stretches, breathing out when landing on my left foot, drinking water 30 minutes before, you know, precautionary things), but I still a got a cramp. So the following outing I tried some more things (like not wearing my cool water bottle-belt) and it worked. I was really excited because much to my surprise I enjoy running and I was worried I'd have to stop if the stitches didn't go away. But, everything worked and I ran the whole set. So of course we had to celebrate, which meant I decided we should go climb the wall at REI.
David rock climbed a lot when we started dating, so about 9 years ago I tried to go. I got 3 feet off the ground and started to shake and haven't been back up since. But recently I thought it would be good to try again. So Friday afternoon, chosen specifically because it wasn't supposed to be busy, we went to REI to climb the "wall." It's actually a simulation?, mock-up?, copy? of a rock in Utah that's famous with climbers and has five routes on it. I, of course, wanted to do the easiest one. We had to wait for two tiny children to climb, a girl who was 6 and her brother who was 2 and a half. They were fabulous, especially the little boy. He didn't so much climb, or even put his hands and feet on the wall, as much as he spun around in the harness, beaming at his encouraging grandfather. This sister got about a third of the way up, actually climbing, but decided that was far enough. I honestly didn't expect to get much higher than she had, but I still wanted to try.
After they left, I was putting on the special shoes when four people came over and asked if they could watch. Since I had chosen Friday afternoon because I didn't think there would be anyone around other than David and the REI employee who does the belaying to see me make a fool of myself, this request was a little disconcerting. But they all seemed really nice and were clearly encouraging sort of people, so I said sure. And besides, I couldn't very well refuse! So I had an audience for my first climb, which was a little intimidating. But they were, indeed, very encouraging and somewhat to my surprise, I made it all the way to the top and got to ring the bell.
David climbed the middle route (#3) and after not climbing for about 6 years, had a wonderful time. In fact he was so excited that he said we should go back every Friday, which I wasn't quite prepared for. We did mean to go back, but since we spent the afternoon in the hosptial instead, we'll have to wait till next week for my next attempt. Now I just have to work on being graceful.