Get out & Go Big

I want to share with you guys my experience from Nationals in February. Through the process of getting through one of the hardest six months of my life, I was training and competing in my last youth bouldering season. Making it to Nationals had always been a huge goal of mine, so the fact that I made it to the national stage in my last year of youth competing was a huge success. However, this particular competition went the complete opposite of how I wanted it to. I struggled with each boulder, even though they suited my style and my strengths. Nationals proves to be for the most elite athletes, and not that I wasn't elite, the boulder's were just plain hard. After a tough battle with the first three problems, on my second attempt on the fourth problem I felt a pop in my right ring finger on only the third move. I didn't immediately come off the wall, but I was unable to make another attempt after I fell. Immediately after hearing and feeling the pop in my finger I knew something was wrong. I didn't know what the injury was, but I was unable to continue climbing. Knowing my season was not only over but that my climbing as a whole was at risk, I felt broken (literally). With the incredibly strong support from my coaches, the volunteers at the comp, and my family and friends who were there to support me, I started to see my situation as an opportunity to fall back on the positive mindsets that had been carrying me through life and training over the last few months. I believe that when things don't go as we hoped and when we're faced with a seemingly adverse situation, these moments are what prove to define our character as people and athletes. I have been extremely lucky to not have dealt with any serious injuries throughout my competition career, and was lucky enough to only walk away with a sprained A4 pulley in my right ring finger. I'm thankful for my coaches, my team, and my family for the Incredible support they have shown me over the last eight years of competing, and at this particular event. Good thing for me, after the comp I got to enjoy a very large burrito with Coach Josh's special pocket hot sauce. #climbrad #youthboulderingnationals #usaclimbing