Attainment

There are aspects of my life that do not exist in Blogland and which I do not want, as yet, to air fully in public. Suffice to say those aspects are not great. Running and climbing are what get me through at the moment, they are measurable and compact and therefore comprehensible. I think, had I not run and climbed my way through last 6 months, I would have given up long ago. 

But as I run and as I climb, I find I learn many things about myself, about the way I think, the way I learn and about my attitudes and approach to life in general, but most of all, I am learning that with hard work and a bit of uncharacteristic self belief, I can achieve.

Yesterday, as I wrote, I ran the furthest I ever had done, and today, I led my first clean 6a since my return to climbing in January. To say I was pleased would be an understatement. 

Wandering into Leeds

Enjoying the sunshine as I walked along the canal towpath, feeling physically exhausted, but completely elated, I thought about the week. Although many things in my life are not going well, in the last 6 months, with the help of a group of fabulous and supportive people, and inspired by the impressive recovery of Three Minute Egg, I have taken my running and climbing to a place I never thought I could get to. I felt good about myself. I felt like I had something to give, that I was now a fit, active and increasingly positive person, with a lot of determination and drive. I felt that I was worth something.

And as I carried on towards the station, those aspects of my life with which I struggle, no longer felt completely insurmountable. I think, that with the right help and support and a few shoves in the right direction, all those things can be conquered too. And that really would be an achievement.