Monday 9 July 2012

Facing Fears : The High Wire Challenge

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was giving some consideration to running another Marathon.  Having the experience of running the London Marathon in 2006, I believe that as well as physical training and stamina building I would have benefited greatly from also doing some Mental Stamina exercises.


Therefore I noted that I wanted to start to try to do things that I would normally be 'too scared' to do.  The first thing I mentioned I might do, to kickstart the 'Face My Fears' campaign was to book myself onto the Aerial (High Wire) challenge whilst on holiday this year.


So on the (very wet) morning of Wednesday 4 July that is exactly what I did.  Sporting a rather fetching bright orange helmet and some bad frizzy swimming pool hair I donned the safety harness and took the steps to the first part of the Aerial Adventure.


I must say now, the photographs do not really give justice to the height of the course.  It feels higher than it looks to the naked eye from the side line.  When dealing with something regarding heights people say 'Don't look down' but with this there is no option. 

After the first challenge of walking a balance beam style implement,  I clung on to the next tree I came too for so long that the instructor came over and asked me if I was stuck.  Physically no.  Mentally yes.

 
Me : Tree Hugging


This was the point.  This was the reason I had decided to do the whole entire experience in the first place.  To be feeling that emotion of undulating fear.  To get to that point where all I wanted was to say 'I'm not a celebrity but get me out of here anyway!'

Clinging to that wet tree I looked at the sodden, slippery tyres that awaited my feet to be placed on them.  The instructor advised me to place my weight forward on them, as that was the best way to control the movement. 

I told myself it was all in the mind.  Like the fatigue when you think you can not run anymore, yet you find yourself a mile along and you are still going.  I told myself to think that I was only a foot off of the ground, it would still be wobbling the same.  I was perfectly safe and harnessed on.  I was going to finish the course. 

I made my decision I stepped off ...

 
Tyre Troubles

Breathing a sigh of relief, I reached the next tree I found myself at the first of the zip-wire.  Now this I had actually been looking forward to.  Since my days of watching 'The Assault Course' on the Krypton Factor I had wanted a go on a zip-wire.  It was awesome.  Even though I did have to swing myself several times at the end to get onto the landing platform because it was so slippery. 

Once I had surpassed that moment prior to the tyres; where I looked at my fear, looked at the steps down to safety and ignored them, although I wasn't exactly thrilled at each challenge I completed it.  The hardest part, probably traversing the climbing wall as the ridiculously small hand / foot holds were so slippery.


 
Yep, that black X is me...


  Before I knew it (actually that is a lie, I was counting down the challenges to the end) I was back at the starting platform.  I had achieved what I set out to do.  Could I have done a higher challenge?  Certainly.  But achieving what I did with my fear of heights was a pretty big feat.  Did I enjoy it?  Not particularly.  Am I pleased I did it? Abso - bloody - lutely. 

 
Relief at the finishing point


13 comments:

  1. Well done you! What a fantastic attitude and an amazing achievement x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, I am glad that I did it. Was so tempted to chicken out on the basis it was pouring with rain!

      Delete
  2. Well done you! That was really impressive. I really baulk at heights. Really, really cool that you made yourself take the challenge. Sounds like you had a great holiday ... I hope you are going to tell us more about it in following posts! Ps love the photos and the orange hat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, more holiday posts are planned, not getting much time to write at the moment - very frustrating!

      Delete
  3. Wow! Good on you for facing your fear. I don't like heights either but made myself climb the Sydney harbour bridge on our honeymoon. It's weird feeling really, because in controlled situations you know inside that nothing can really happen to you and you won't fall, but mentally, it doesn't matter, the fear is still there! Love the X photo - now you can say you've got the X factor!x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, thanks MP! I don't think I could do the SH Bridge (bows down in awe to you!)

      Delete
  4. Well done Lynsey!! You did it and good on you for facing your fear. I have done a high wire Go Ape and loved it (although there were definitely some scary bits). It is good to face fears at times and prove to yourself that you can do these things. Well done you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well done. I did one of those and my heart was in my mouth all the time!! Horrid!! Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let's say I have no real desire to do it again lol!

      Delete
  6. That's awesome that you accomplished it! I like zip lines, but I'd be afraid of the other things. By the way, I'm passing you the Lovely Blog Award. You don't have to participate if you don't want to, of course, but if you like that type of thing, visit http://missangelread.blogspot.com/2012/07/hey-look-at-my-new-award.html to pick it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahh wow thank you! Will check it out! Zip wire was awesome but the next day I ached in places I never knew I could ache!

      Delete
  7. Goodness you are brave! There is no way on this earth I would be able to do that, so really well done. My hands are sweating just thinking about it! Polly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Polly! Can check it off of my 'Things to Do' list for sure now.x

      Delete

I would love for you to quack your thoughts along with me and will always try and quack right back.