First Post After Graduation

This blog was started for a class, but now that I have no school I feel compelled to continue it for pleasure! Here goes...

Well, the kids starts school tom. and I am embarking on my first day of job hunting after their summer vaca and my graduation from COLLEGE at an older age. :) How will it all pan out?

I have not worked for money in 13 years so it should be interesting to get a job with adults!!

Reflection Post

As I looked back on my posts from the beginning of class I feel as though I did not stay completely true to my topic. Originally I was going to post about fitness and exercise motivation. Although I think I did good with pictures and descriptions, I feel as though I gave up on the motivation part and just went right to informing people about the New ODU Recreation Facility. I think in the end it worked out well though. I should have kept up more with the goings on at the facility, and I would have improved my blog with more recent photos of some of the classes or the events being held there. Even a video of a spinning class or people rock climbing would have made the blog more interesting. I like my pictures and I really started to enjoy the indoor rock climbing aspect. I did not know that it was a popular growing sport in the public and university sports world. After my interview about the rock wall, I wished I had tried it, and took some footage from above. I think my participation would have made my blogging about the rock wall more believable for my audience. I could have motivated them to try it if they were afraid. I have learned that there is a lot more to journalism than I thought. The 5 W's need to be thought of when writing about a topic. Thank you!

Challenge 3-The ODU Indoor Rock Climbing Wall!

Hey everyone, I spoke to Bridget Nemeth who is the Coordinator for the Outdoor Adventure Program at ODU. She oversees the indoor rock wall, and she agreed to let me interview her and get some more information about the rock wall at the ODU Recreation Center. After the interview I will post information about how to get started climbing! Oh yes, if you don't know what belaying is, here is the definition. This post uses this word several times.

Belaying is one of the Climbing Techniques in Rock Climbing. It is securing the climber during his climb. This technique is done by a person on the ground. Click her for more on belaying techniques.

I had about 8 questions to ask Bridget, here they are...
1. How did you get involved in rock climbing? I got started while I was an undergraduate at University of Maryland. I got started both indoor and outdoor and still do both.

2. How do you get over the fear when you start climbing for the first time?
At first I had issues with partner trust. You know, trusting the person who is belaying you. Getting comfortable with that person is vital, and knowing they are trained to support you helps keep you calm. Equipment failure sometimes enters your mind when you first start also. This is why inspections should be done on all equipment regularly. More climbing helps get you over the fear also. Practice makes permanent!

3. Do you have any special events involving climbing at ODU? Yes, we have been planning rock climbing events like Sunday Funday where there will be timed climbs and bouldering problems to be worked out as well as other competitions in the future.
4. Have you had any close calls on the wall or climbing outside? No, I really haven't. As long as you have the proper equipment and the right support, rock climbing is fairly safe.
5. So no funny stories? No, I never said no funny stories, ha ha! The trainer from the company that builds the rock wall was training us, and I was belaying him. At the top of his climb he jumped off the wall which made me be pulled up in the air where I met him halfway up the wall. This was shocking but funny. It also proved that the belayer could not be pulled all the way up to hit the roof. Also, one of the guys who works at the ODU rock wall was climbing outdoors, finally reached a top ledge and found himself face-to-face with a hissing goose!
6. Is rock climbing an expensive sport? No, other than if you choose to purchase shoes, a student climbs for free. Even though there are fees at the private walls, the initial cost of shoe is the only big ticket items you will face.
7. Is the ODU rock wall well used? Yes, the first 3 weeks in operation brought in 700 people to climb and the participation is still very high!
8. How can I start climbing at the ODU rock wall? If you go to the front desk, you will sign up for a 2-hour climbing clinic. After 24 hours, you will then take a belay test. If you pass the test, you can start climbing!

SEE CLIMBING VIDEO

All this talk about rock climbing...

Hey, my last few posts have been about the rock climbing trend, but let's get back to the heart of the matter--ODU indoor rock climbing! My next post will be about what's going on at the rock wall at our campus. I will give the info you will need to get certified to start climbing! Also, see my upcoming interview with Bridget Nemeth, Coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure Program. Hear what she has to say about rock climbing and hear few funny stories about what has happened on the rock wall.

Portable Rock Climbing Walls!

I ran across these pictures today. I had seen a rock wall like the picture on the bottom, but I had never seen one the size of the picture on the top. This is super instense. Stay alert while I find the price of renting this sucker...!

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Indoor rock climbing intensity!

Can you believe this intense rock wall? I never even knew such a big gym existed. I bet a facility like this costs a fortune to develop, but I bet the payoff is awesome.