After a two-month hiatus from climbing, I document my journey back to fitness, including a visit to a specialist to compare my current physical state to ten years ago. I explore the impact of nutrition, training adjustments, and the surprising results of my physical assessments, ultimately finding motivation to return to climbing.
In the world of climbing, taking a break can feel daunting, especially after two months of inactivity. In this blog post, I share my experience of returning to climbing after the longest break I've taken since I started. I also explore the importance of nutrition, training adjustments, and a fascinating visit to a specialist who compared my current physical state to ten years ago when I was a professional climber.
After two months without climbing, I was anxious to see how my body would respond. The cold weather had kept me off the wall, and I was curious about my current climbing shape. Would I feel out of practice? Would my body remember the movements? These questions loomed as I prepared for my first session back.
Despite not climbing, I maintained a focus on my nutrition. I utilized the MicroFactor app to track my meals and ensure I was fueling my body properly. This premium nutrition app adapts to your training needs, providing feedback on macronutrients without the distractions of diet culture. It was crucial for me to adjust my nutrition as my training routine changed, ensuring I was still getting enough protein and energy.
As I stepped back onto the climbing wall, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The first few attempts were challenging. My fingers felt soft, and I noticed a significant difference in my strength. I struggled with the boulders I once found manageable, and my forearms felt weak. It was a humbling experience, but I was determined to push through.
During my first session, I attempted various grades of boulders. I found myself getting pumped, something I rarely experienced before. After a few attempts, I decided to leave some boulders for another day and focus on building strength elsewhere. I also attempted one-arm pull-ups and front levers, which revealed just how much strength I had lost in two months. The results were surprising and a bit disheartening, but they also motivated me to get back into training.
The following day, I visited Dr. Johnny Histal, who had previously conducted an experiment on me ten years ago. We compared my current physical state to my past measurements, starting with the diameter of my brachial artery. To my surprise, the diameter remained unchanged at 4.4 mm, indicating that my body still had the potential for high blood flow, a significant factor in climbing performance.
We also assessed my blood flow capacity, which had decreased significantly since my last measurement. The flow was now at 400, down from 800, reflecting my reduced training over the past decade. This decrease was expected, as muscle cells shrink without regular training. However, the good news was that with consistent training, I could regain my strength and improve my blood flow capacity.
With newfound motivation, I returned to my training routine. I began incorporating core workouts, which I had neglected over the past few years. I also reflected on my past behaviors, realizing how annoying it can be when others offer unsolicited advice while climbing. This perspective shift made me more empathetic towards fellow climbers.
Exactly one week after my first session, I returned to the gym. I felt stronger during my warm-up and was eager to test my limits. I attempted the boulders I had struggled with previously and was thrilled to find that I could complete them with much more ease. The progress in just one week was remarkable.
I attempted a purple boulder, the hardest grade in the gym, and managed to flash it. This was a significant improvement from my previous struggles, showcasing the rapid gains I had made in strength and technique. I also revisited my one-arm pull-up and front lever attempts, finding that I was regaining my strength more quickly than expected.
This journey of rediscovering my climbing strength after a two-month break has been both challenging and rewarding. While I initially felt weak and out of practice, the combination of focused nutrition, consistent training, and a supportive assessment from a specialist has reignited my passion for climbing. As I continue to train, I look forward to sharing more of my progress and experiences in the climbing community. Thank you for following along on this journey!
