2014 Paraclimbing Nationals: Champion

Well, I am staying on my bi-annual post schedule. I apologize for being so out of touch. The last few months have been quite tumultuous.

Despite my ambivalence over competing in indoor climbing competitions, I decided to take part in Paraclimbing Nationals in Atlanta, GA as they served as qualifiers for the International Paraclimbing Competition in Gijon, Spain in September. I had been climbing with a torn collateral ligament in my left middle-finger for awhile now, so I was not happy have that injury interfere with my ability to train and climb my hardest. I received a further setback, when the X-ray results showed that I had an avulsion fracture on top of my ligament injury. This is when the ligament actually rips off a piece of bone from bone. Sometimes having such a high pain-tolerance and being so stoic about it is not good: "Generally muscular avulsion is prevented due to the neurological limitations placed on muscle contractions. Highly trained athletes can overcome this neurological inhibition of strength and produce a much greater force output capable of breaking or avulsing a bone." (Source: Wikipedia)

I received this information on Wednesday afternoon. I was to fly out to Atlanta on Thursday and the competition was on Friday, July 18th. Yes, hardly the best timing. Many emotions as well as starting to weigh the benefits-risk of competing ran through my head. This kind of injury needs rest, immobilization and usually several months of healing. But, I had been climbing through the pain for awhile now; travel expenses to Atlanta were paid for; and this was a competition I had prepared for and served as a qualifier for Spain! But I know my priority lies in having a long climbing future climbing outside with wonderful people; I didn't want pulling on plastic indoors to cause permanent injury to my finger and affect the long-term range of motion of it, for climbing or for every-day work reasons. I have been buddy-taping like crazy and am typing with effectively 9 fingers right now, which is a bit awkward and also makes me want to change my counting to base 9.

So there was the dilemma of risking long-term damage or competing. And if I did compete, it seemed like a lose-lose situation. I would be sad if I didn't place at all (top-3 go to Spain); I would be pissed if I didn't come first because of my injury; and if I did win, I would feel like it was a hollow-victory because I didn't have to climb my best :-/ Yes, I realize my mind-set is sometimes problematic. Many people advised me to do just enough to place and not further injure my finger. I agreed, but knew I would not be happy with just placing.

You would think that I would be better at keeping all this in perspective, after the much more severe traumas and health issues I have been through.

I climbed extremely conservatively, probably only 30% of my capacity. I really hate not giving things my all. But, it was enough to place first, not only in my category (Neurological) but also across all the other female categories, making me the Paraclimbing National Champion.

Good enough

I guess it was the best possible outcome; first place without further injury. But as you have probably come to learn, I still feel slightly unsatisfied that I didn't go out and crush/climb my hardest.

It was wonderful to meet other members of the para-climbing community. I was especially impressed by the dedicated adaptive climbing programs for kids around the country! It was an honour to be a small part of this growing movement.

I am going to take a week or two of strict rest and manage climbing with the OT and hand ortho who I am scheduled to see in mid-August. I am getting splinted next week (after telling the OT that there wasn't really much point in immobilizing my finger on Wednesday, climb on it on Friday, have it swell up and have the splint not fit); I hope I can find an understanding doctor who realizes that I have to climb just for this short while, but I won't do anything to permanently injure things. I am keeping my (other) fingers crossed that surgery will not be required.

If any of you out there are aware of sponsorship opportunities, for my upcoming trip and future expenses, please get in touch! I think I have a pretty compelling story and message that could be promoted well with partners/companies.

Here's a pic from the comp. This was actually taken when I was standing on a monster ledge, mid-route, resting. As you can see, I almost always have more chalk on my face and hair than on my hands.