#warped wall

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6/14/22

[jravenb]

I was THIS close to making it to the top of the smallest warped wall in class today. Looks like I’ll need to work on my footwork and shoulder/back some more this week and try again next week.

[inabluedr3am]

it was only 10 ft but I couldn’t do it last time so ayyyy

[clarethewanderer]

It's been a week. I think my brain has fully decompressed at this point. So many people have asked about World Championships and I feel like I've failed them in answering properly. So here you go, the Good, the Bad, and the UglyFunny.

Get the negative out of the way first, Bad: It was hands down the worst race of my life mentally. I stood at that start gate, and that drive wasn't there, at all. It was later than I've had to start ever, and even though it was only 11:30, it was like the sun was setting already. That hurt me a lot, on top of the fact that I thrive on others for competition. I've never not had Tim or Nate with me in a race for more than a few miles. And I spent 80% of the race alone. 15k long and only 30some in my age group? We spread out quick. And it's not like the 18-24 men's wave released after us stuck around with me long ;-) My uphill training was worth it. But I forgot the other half is just as important. My downhill mountain sprints (and fear of) need some work. Especially with 2900ft elevation gain throughout. My quads suffered for that, big time. And lastly, 100% my fault, I thought 4 water stations in 15k was plenty since I never really use water during races. Worst mistake I made. By the time I made it to Skull Valley, I was delirious with dehydration. Skull Valley was well within my wheelhouse. And I got nearly to the end before my foot slipped. I could've easily gone back and crushed it, but I wanted it all to be over so bad and water had to be close, so I moved on, only to get to the low platinum rig and bang my knee into the bar twice and then fall, and stand up to crack my skull into the same bar. I did not have fun on the top of that mountain. ;-)

Onto the happiness, Good: You know all those things that I was terrified about going into this race? KILLED them. Every single wall was just an alley oop and there I go! Not even multiple attempts needed. There were 3-4 in the very first stretch and I approached the first one with terror, it was like I'd never failed a wall in my life. Completely fluid. That energy is probably what got me through so far. I think I skipped after every wall with happiness. And that fear of heights with grip strength obstacles? Swallowed it as if it was a tic tac. Didn't look down and just went shimmying across those bars and pipes like a ninja. Watching others struggle with rope climbs also built that confidence. It's weird knowing a year ago I couldn't get more than a foot off the ground. And so many obstacles start with a rope climb, I would've been screwed.

Moments of Ugly/Funny scattered my five hours on the course: I lost my band at Dragons Back because I let fear take hold, and I was so emotional trying to overcome it that the volunteer was only as tall as my chest and when I handed it over, I was choking back tears and she went wide for this very awkward hug. Soon after was the dreaded Wreck Bag carry. All I was thinking about was my back injury. I easily got it up on my shoulders, so there's a win, but after that? Half mile straight up the mountain and some stairs, then back down. It doesn't get uglier than that mile. I could have easily passed as the Hunchback of Notre Dame, bag slipped down to the bottom of my ribs. But I did it. I watched countless sprays of sweat staring at those rocks carrying that thing. Pink sweat. Which is my last moment of entertainment. So many people commented on my fiery locks, it was nuts. One Brit male volunteer asked where I got it done, while others just made comments.

But the best? And maybe the best moment all race, other than ya know, success ;-) was coming over the last ramp wall, it's a straight shot through the center of the village to the finish line. Everyone lined up to watch with the MC announcing everyone across the line. So I pop up over that last wall with no one else around me, hair glowing in the setting sun, and I hear through every loudspeaker in the village, "Like a Phoenix rising into the Sun!" Nothing could have felt truer in that moment. It was the worst day. And yet. Kind of a suck it to every other bad day I will ever have. And I finished. Upright. What else matters?

[couch2competitor]

My latest trip to Apex NorCal. Getting some warped wall and salmon ladder work in. #americanninjawarrior

[feminist-pastries]

Decisions, decisions

So now that we’ve hired someone and I’m back down to a five day work week I thought I’d celebrate with a 3D cake for my portfolio.

But should I make jacksepticeye’s Sam or the American Ninja Warrior warped wall?

No one in my family likes fondant so I’d be making the cake in just buttercream so I’m worried the warped wall might topple over but I’m leaning toward this one as ANW is a summer thing and won’t be so relevant the next time I have enough time adn energy.

Do I really want to challenge myself and do the warped wall  or make Sam which I’m 99% positive I can make really nice?

[webuiltthepyramids]

Kacy Catanzaro, only five feet tall, becoming the first woman to stand atop American Ninja Warrior's Warped Wall and thus the first to complete a qualifying course.

Tonight, at the Dallas City finals, she became the first woman to attempt a city finals course, and promptly became the first woman to complete it and qualify for Mount Midoriyama.  Can't wait for video of that to go up so I can watch it again!

[rundreamlive]

Target Acquired: (Non-)Warped Wall

I headed over to the playground today to work on my upper body and grip strength, and I noticed that the elementary school has some free-standing brick walls hiding their dumpster.  The first wall is about 8' high; the second about 11.5' high -- and the school itself is 14' tall, exactly the height of the Warped Wall on American Ninja Warrior.  So of course I couldn't resist trying to run up the wall (using the techniques from this La Flair Parkour tutorial).

I only tried the lowest wall in consideration of my knee, but I made 5 attempts, and managed to grab on to the top each time.  My last two runs, I actually managed two steps and cat-grabbed onto to the top (which means I might be able to grab the 11.5' wall -- except if I miss, that's kind of a long fall onto concrete with my knee).  I could easily grab a 10' wall just by extending my arms, though.  10' down, 4' to go. (And I assume the actual warped wall is slightly easier to step up since it's got a gradual incline.)

It was probably a little too much for my knee right now.  I'll try again in a month, see how much stronger my legs (and knee) have gotten.