Photo Credit: Lady Lockoff

We all love climbing. We are dedicated to it. We’d do it every day if we could. But face it, we’ve all been there - be it from injury, work demands, location, or lack of partners – we have to start over, again, and again, and again. And it sucks every… single…time.

Here goes!
 
Mmmm, ugh, pack heavy – Has it always been this heavy?
Mmmm, ugh, thighs burning… Damn, how is everyone else moving so fast? (huff puff) – Has this approach always been this hard?
Need… to… snack… need… energy.
What the hell? How did I forget to bring an anchor?
OK, yes, I’m totally ready to lead this  – I think.
(grunt, pull, grunt) Was that move always that challenging? WTF?
(grunt, pull, grunt)
Let’s put in a piece. How about this one? Nope. This? Nope. This? Nope. Shit. muscles, burning… OK, Stef, get a piece in now (fumble) This? Yes, finally (tug, tug) that’ll work…. I think (tug, tug, re-inspect, re-position, tug, tug). Muscles burning, that piece is bomber - I think.
 
Oh shit, I forgot this part’s run out. (Elvis leg) Breathe deep. (Elvis leg) Look up to where you are headed, Stef (Elvis leg). Ooooh, I’m taking too long to move (Elvis leg) Lead head, hellooo, where are you?! Muscles burning. Fuck. (grunt, pull, grunt). (Fumble) Shit, this system used to work for me, I can’t find my pro, why is everything in the way? (fumble, piece in, tug, tug, clip). TAKE!
 
Breathe deep. Shake out. Ouch, feet hurt. These shoes used to fit. What the hell? Look around Stef, next moves.
 
Oooh, high step. Ugh. I thought I could step higher than that. (Grab knee, lift leg, attempt to step up, grunt, fail, grunt, ass cramp.) Shit. I suck.
 
THE FOLLOWING DAY: Oh… so… sore.  

Yeah, it'll all come back :-).