(no subject)

There was rock-climbing today! Specifically, bouldering at the north Austin gym. I went straight up the easiest orange course I could find (a V0, I think that is?), and then didn't manage to do a single other course properly for the rest of my time there. I have really got to work on this stamina thing. (I did make it up a second orange course with a cheating start, but I can't really count that one.)

I am quickly realizing several things I need to do this rock-climbing thing better. Obviously, more practice: specifically, some damn muscle memory. There were several simple moves that I could've managed physically if I had the technique down already, or could've wrangled the technique on if I had the muscle and reflexes to pull it off, but couldn't do at all because of not having either down yet. I need a lot more practice, flexibility, fitness... But, hey. It's nice to have goals.

Overhangs are my new nemesis. (Yes, just a nemesis, not nemeses. It's a categorical thing, not about individual overhangs.) They make it difficult to start--I don't think I pulled off a proper hanging start from a single course after the first one--and difficult to stay on, and the longer I think about the next move, the harder it is to stick to the rock... But apparently they're part of what bouldering is About, so I'll learn to deal with them.

I'm also going to need some decent shoes; the rental shoes tend to be either in bad shape or uncomfortable, if not both, and when there's only a single pair in the right size available, not a lot of option for working around either issue. And I need to get my membership started, and...

...damn. I think I'm hooked.