Bouldering: love at first climb

I’m happy to say that Casey, Abbie and I finally spent our first weekend together as Portland residents.

 

Of course we also had our good buddy Travis here to help us get all settled in and do some proper exploring.

On Saturday, it was a whole lot of firsts: our first time brunching at Gravy which is just across the street from our new place (I have a feeling it won’t be the last time we brunch there….), MY first time bouldering at The Circuit Bouldering Gym, our first time at one of our neighborhood bars, Sidecar for cocktails and light eats and the first time we had Tasha and Ben over to see our new digs.

Now let’s go back to my big first – bouldering. To be clear, I’ve done some indoor rock climbing before – about 10 years ago or so, I did the whole belaying lesson and climbing thing – but I’ve never been bouldering. And I have to admit, I could really get into it and can’t  can’t believe it has taken me this long to try it. What I love most about bouldering is how challenging it is – not only the physical challenge but also (and probably more so) the mental challenge.

  

 

It’s Tuesday and I’m still super SORE from Saturday’s climbing adventure and I realize that some of the soreness is a result of the physical challenge but also from poor form (a direct result of the mental challenge). There were times when I knew I should use my legs, straighten them so that I could reach a little higher (and use less of my upper body strength) but my mind just wouldn’t  let me get there. Overcoming that fear and trusting myself was a big part of what I love about this sport – I’m addicted to the rush, I guess.

Anyway, I’m planning to make this a bigger part of my Portland life. As I said, 2015 is the year of NoExcuses – the year when I challenge myself in new ways – to try things that I’m not as comfortable with. So here goes nothing…bring on the boulders. 😉

Our Sunday morning, we relieved our sore muscles with a beautifully sweaty class at YoYo Yogi, one of my favorite yoga spots in Portland and one of the studios where I’d like to start teaching. After yoga, it was meal prep for the week and a delicious dinner followed by a quick night run with Travis.

And yesterday, got offline a little early to explore some Portland trails with Travis…

 

As a reminder, if you haven’t already entered my giveaway for a FREE team entry to the Golden Ultra – GET ON IT – it’s gonna be a #SweatPinkTakeOver y’all!

Stay sweaty friends!

XOXO,

Jamie