On the rocks

I didn’t want to get out bed. I awoke, remembered the 10-12 mile run that coach had scheduled for me, but still would not budge from my spot. I wasn’t tired. I didn’t want to do anything at all…not run, not even party.

But it was sweet Alissa’s (my niece) Birthday party and the children were all looking forward to a day of rock climbing. Who was I to lay in bed and keep them from their fun? I didn’t run, but we did travel to my sister’s city for the Birthday Bash.

The party was at an indoor rock climbing place where everyone was fitted with harnesses and the adults learned the balle technique to keep the climbers safe.

I took the task seriously and practice the knot carefully and studied the instruction with all of my attention. Still, I had no idea how much I would be in the situation of doing the balle rather than climbing.

When my sister, Linda, was getting checked off by the instructor on her balle technique, it was my turn on the rocks. I figured that I would go about half of the way up for her to demonstrate her skill. This would allow me to ease into the fear of the height.

Well, so much for assuming anything. You know what they say about when you “ASSume” anything. About the time when I hit my height limit, Carlos, my brother-in-law hollers up to me to keep on going. I politely say that I’ve gone high enough for my first minute on the wall.

But Carlos doesn’t allow quitting. What’s more, Carlos knows my button. “That’s BOSTON up there, Julie. If you want to get to Boston, you have to go all the way to the top.”

Well, I did go to the top of the wall, then and several other times as well. My most memorable time was the first time that I had Carlos balle for me. I climbed up a lot easier, having gone up once before, but on the way down I got a little braver on pushing off of the wall.

My bravery lasted a millisecond, for when I pushed off the wall I felt myself drop farther then I wanted. I glared down at Carlos (after my heart returned from being in my throat) and said, “You DO have me, don’t you? I don’t want to leave my kids without a parent you know.” He laughed, but I never had to say another word. He held me as firmly as I needed from that point on.

I didn’t log my long run, but I did get out of bed. With my first day back at work on Monday, there would be a lot more hurdles to overcome.