Rock Climbing Blog by Derek Rippe
Archive for February, 2009
Injury Update
Feb 23rd
I went to the physical therapist today (Loudoun Physical Therapy in Leesburg, VA), and got a pretty positive diagnosis. They don’t seem to think I’ve torn or broken anything, and feel that the injury is nothing more than a really, really bad pull or strain on the tendon (although we’re going to watch it over the next 1-2 weeks and hope for progress).
For now, the plan is to limit use to activities that produce no pain, do bi-weekly physical therapy sessions with Loudoun PT to promote and speed recovery, and to stay off the wall for 4-6 weeks (ugh). Looking forward to seeing what types of exercises they will have me doing to get me back in tip-top shape. I am hoping I can get into the gym and do some other exercises though… possibly work on my core strength, upper body strength, and endurance. Trying to look at the setback as a blessing in disguise!
Injuries to Tendons
Feb 19th
I had planned on making a nice, long post tonight about what I had coming up in the near future. I signed up for the Lead Climbing class this evening (starting on Monday), and plan on taking the Fast Forward 2 class next month as well.
Now, I’m not sure where I stand. My middle and ring finger on my right hand were sore after climbing on Tuesday (a couple of deep, two-finger pockets left their mark), and against better judgement I wanted to hit the gym for an hour before rehearsal tonight.
I was reaching way out for a nasty crimp (that I had hit once before), and when I hit it I felt this NASTY pop radiate from my hand down to my elbow. I knew it wasn’t good, but just laughed it off, watched a few other guys climb, and decided to pack it up (I knew I wasn’t going to be climbing anymore that evening).
Climbing Carnage
Feb 5th
Let’s start a new category here, one that every climber can empathize with: Climbing Carnage!
Let’s face it – scrapes, scratches, flappers, sprains, breaks (God forbid) and all sorts of other bodily harm comes with the territory that so many of us love. For some, an injury marks the end of a climbing session. For the rest, an injury is more of a badge of honor or that motivating factor that shouts “this route will not beat me… bring it on!”. The only remedy: tape up and keep going. Most people think we are crazy, but in a strange, twisted reality… we are used to it.
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