As you know, I use CrossFit to supplement my overall fitness for rock climbing. Well, just this past weekend I climbed the hardest thing I have ever done. It is a V7 boulder problem at the Buttermilks in Bishop, CA called ‘High Plains Drifter.’ By any and all measures it is a classic, world class climb. I first tried it a year ago (before I started at Mission CrossFit), and at the time it felt like ‘maybe one day I will be strong enough to climb this thing.’ So, with Pat’s insistence, I started seriously CrossFit-ing in order to climb this project.
Months and months of WODs, struggles(some failed attempts on the project) , and PRs left me in the best shape of my life. So when we set out on the 6 hour drive to Bishop, I knew that I was physically ready to climb High Plains Drifter. I was incredibly excited. But after a solid couple hours and at least a dozen attempts on Saturday, I was no closer to climbing it. I kept falling at the crux (the hardest move on the problem). I climbed other things that day, but still went to bed feeling dejected.
I resolved to try just a few more times on Sunday morning, but I wasn’t confident I could do it. On my last attempt, I cruised through the lower section and set up for the crux moves: a terrible slopey-crimp hold for my left hand, and then a big move out right to another heinous hold. ‘Just stick this move, and you’ve got it’ I thought over and over and over.
I got it. I did the move. I grabbed the hold. And here is where I personally experienced the more subtle, but equally impactful benefits that a year of CrossFit can impart on you mentally: it would have been so easy to let go, to give up. The holds hurt. It was incredibly strenuous physically, but I found myself slipping into ‘the CrossFit mindset.’ Yeah, the holds hurt and it was strenuous; but this was just like any other tough WOD.
‘You got it. You did the move. You grabbed the hold. And you are not letting go. Get your feet back on the rock. Breathe. Don’t stop. Keep moving. You are not letting go. 1 more rep. 1 more round. You are not letting go.’
And that was that. I finished it.
High Plains Drifter, a world class V7 boulder problem. The hardest thing I have ever done. It took almost exactly 1 year from when I first tried it until I finally climbed it.
That mental drive, determination, confidence, tenacity (whatever you want to call it) is something I didn’t have; or at least something I couldn’t tap into, before CrossFit.
It was exhilarating, and eye-opening.
I can’t wait to see what more years of CrossFit can do for me as I continue to push myself, grow, and apply what I have learned in every facet of my life.
So to all of you: thank you.
Thank you so so much for everything
Justin D’Altorio
| Workout of the Day | |
|---|---|
| Strength of the Day | Handstand Progressions |
| Level 1:
1000 meter Row 50 Thrusters, 30 Ring Rows |
Level 2:
1000 meter Row 50 Thrusters, 45/33# 10 Pull Ups |
| Level 3:
1000 meter Row 50 Thrusters, 45# 20 Pull Ups |
Level 4:
1000 meter Row 50 Thrusters, 45# 30 Pull Ups |
Get more awesome: 3 minute plank hold
