Bird droppings

I woke up this morning with my bowels doing very bad things. When I drove to work, I started to feel nauseous, like I was about to throw up. I figured it was because I had taken my vitamin without food, so I put food in me, and I think I felt better. I didn't really notice myself feeling ill the rest of the day, so I assumed I was good to go for lead climbing class.

When I did my first mock lead during the class, I really struggled with it. I nearly didn't make it to the top and was having a lot of trouble just holding onto the wall. When I did the second climb, I couldn't even finish it without falling. I fell 3/4 of the way through the route.

It felt a little like my grip muscles were giving out. Those are my weakest link right now, so I'm not surprised that they were having trouble. But more than that was going on. I felt light-headed, my legs were shaking, and the nausea started to come back. When I finally came down, I could barely stand up straight. And frankly, I still can't a few hours later.

The instructor pulled me (and another student) aside afterwards and basically, in the nicest way possible, told us that if we can't cut it, we should not come to the Wednesday session of the class, as it would put the other students in danger. (A lead fall is dangerous on the best of days. With newbs doing the belaying, it's even more dangerous.)

I can't say I blame him. My climbing was shit today. I don't know whether that was because I was sick or whether I wasn't actually ready to start lead climbing. Doing a lead climb requires a lot more energy than normal climbing. You have to hang there for quite a while while you do your clip-in to the anchor.

I'm going to go back on Wednesday and see how things go. I'll do a practice run or two before class to gauge my stamina level. If I feel like I can't cut it, I'll just stay with the class to learn lead belaying and take the test for that. I'll work on building my strength (or getting over being sick... or both) until I'm ready to take the full test, and then I'll go for it.

If I'm not ready for lead climbing, that's okay. I can mock lead, which uses all the same muscles and will allow me to train towards being able to lead climb. And I'm okay with that. It's a bit of a disappointment, but I can deal. There's a clear path towards improvement.

I'm going to get plenty of sleep tonight, take good care of myself, and see how things go on Wednesday.

This is a continuation of my voice post.

So... it appears I have what amounts to a pimple inside my eye. A corneal ulcer, she called it.

I am monocular until I can get glasses.

Ugh.

And now I get to work until midnight tonight. Wheee.