With the gyms closed and the prohibition of rock climbing during this health crisis, climbers are facing this unexpected situation with a withdrawal syndrome. I know, you miss it.
But what if you do something about it and get out of this quarantine stronger than before? Is it possible?
It is well known that in moments of adversity is when you grow up. It is in the hardest routes, in the worst conditions, in the intensive training… There is when we develop the most. A calm sea never made an expert sailor.
But what about when we face new kinds of adversity?
In some way, climbing is the exercise of facing adversity and overcoming it. A vertical wall to climb is far from comfortable for anyone, the only thing is that we learn to deal with it and enjoy it as well.
But now you are facing a kind of adversity you were unprepared for. Not allowed to climb, not allowed to enjoy the beauty of the mountains, not allowed to go to the gym, not even possible to spend time with your climbing family, uncertainity…
Here is a list of things you can do to stimulate your inner (and future) climber
Develop new habits that will be useful in your future climbing:
Make something out of this period and establish new habits that can benefit your future practice.
Rituals such as implementing an indoor physical exercise routine, getting up and going to bed an hour earlier, start to practice or practice more of a complementary activity (such as yoga), improving your diet, cooking healthier dishes or spending some time each day reading and learning more about any aspect related to the climb, such as the mental aspects and psychological mechanisms involved.
Work to break your limitations:
Closely related to the development of new habits, the ideal focus would be to develop these habits in order to work on your limitations and weaknesses.
-Working on physical limitations:
You know your physical limitations better than anyone else. Although it is one important to know them, you have to recognize them. Recognize your physical limitations and do something about them.
For example, you lack of flexibility. A routine of stretching every day may be helpful. Internet is full of examples.
Do you want something more specifically related to climbing?
That grip you’re so bad at, for example. Find something that looks like it and make up an exercise. In every house you can find door frames, cupboard spikes, steps, railings, etc. Be creative (and try not to break anything).
-Working on mental limitations:
The simple fact of incorporating new habits and new routines will be of enormous benefit to your mental and personal development, increasing your determination and will power. But you can go further.
You can read and research about the mechanisms of fear, probably the main thing that is keeping you away of reaching your full potential. Or you can reflect on how you handle situations of uncertainty and that are beyond your control (like the one we are experiencing now). Mental strength can also be trained indoors. Read, inform yourself, reflect. And exercise it.
Dream, plan and learn about your next climbing destination.
I’m pretty sure that, as soon as they open the door, you’ll go straight to a climbing wall. It’s not a bad thing to comfort yourself by imagining it for a while each day during confinement.
But, besides daydreaming, you can do something practical and research the different possibilities you will have. Find a good climbing area, plan the trip, talk about it with your partner or contact potential partners and propose the idea. Keep the hope and motivation while you take advantage of this forced “retreat”.