ABS Nationals - Results

So, the competition was this afternoon. Three hours to climb, top 5 problems are scored, red-point format. The climbs were grouped into a few categories: Recreational was V1s, Intermediate V3's, Advanced V4's and up. After warming up on the rec climbs, I managed to climb mostly high V3's, a low V4 and a "mid"/hard-ish V4. That was enough to have me place first in the womens neuro/lower amputee para-climbing division (normally, neuro and lower-amputee would be separate categories, but they lumped us all together for this comp). I got to meet and climb alongside Fran Brown, who is the UK paraclimbing champion, and an amazing climber. When I first toyed with the idea of getting back into climbing, someone sent me a link to videos of her and it was pretty awe-inspiring. So, to be able to place alongside her was pretty cool. She is sponsored and funded and does a lot for the sport of paraclimbing. So I know if I train more, I could compete at that level, but I'm not sure if I want to. As I might have said before, I have mixed feelings about competing. I don't think I feed off the energy of the crowd and just feel super self-conscious when every one is watching me. Climbing is a pretty personal thing for me and I just want to climb for fun without pressure and just feel as strong as I can. On the other hand, I enjoy roped-climbing much more than bouldering, and Nationals for that are in July to qualify for the International Championships in Spain in September. So I guess I have time to decide whether I want to train for that or not. We will see.

Part of me feels a bit like a selfish prick when I say this, but I'm not sure I want to be any kind of ambassador for para-climbing and disabled athletes. Again, I kind of just want to do my own thing, and do things that bring me personal satisfaction and happiness. Obviously, associated with personal satisfaction/fulfillment/happiness is feeling like I am making a positive impact/contribution to the lives of others; maybe I can alter my perspective and see paraclimbing as one way of doing that. But, right now, I'm having a bit of a tough time seeing that.

I am going to go back to the gym today and see if they still have a copy of my scorecard so I can take a picture of it. Waiting to get some pics from other people (I'm terrible about taking pictures of myself and documenting these things), so will post those when I receive them.

Update: Womens Finals results. I'm glad Fran and I were able to do fairly well against fully able-bodied folks.

Obligatory pic of me climbing - warming up on V3-ish route

I don't like overhanging stuff that much

I don't think the route-setters intended the climber to get horizontal on this route (assuming you don't have a gimpy left leg)