She’s at the Height of Her Powers

A drop of sweat rolled down my neck. The rock beneath my moist palms and fingertips felt slippery, like marble, but my feet miraculously stuck to slight indentations in the rock. I was probably never more scared in my life, but I was also ecstatic: I was actually climbing. This was not the training for climbing that I expected when I signed up five years ago for Rock Climbing I, a UCLA recreation class.

First, there was the indoor video session, an introduction to basic movement on rock. Later that week, the class drove to a local rock-climbing spot to boulder, or climb without ropes. I pulled on thick, rubber-soled rock-climbing shoes. Although I probably never climbed higher than 15 feet that day, the fear of slipping to the ground was electrifying. Each climber had a person on the ground to act as a spotter--to break falls, for instance.

I think it was the buzz of fear--combined with wanting to go further and learn more--that brought me back to UCLA for Rock Climbing II, which covered specific techniques. This time, we climbed at Joshua Tree National Park.

In the years since, I stopped climbing because I didn’t know where to meet partners. I recently joined an indoor climbing gym, Rockcreation in Costa Mesa, and was introduced to members of the Pacific Sports Assn., an outdoor social group based in Orange County and San Diego. I’ve been climbing indoors a few times a week and outdoors again.

I have a petite build, and weight training has never been interesting to me, but rock climbing has been a fun way to tone and strengthen my upper body. On some climbing days, after a hard workout, I feel as tough and determined as Linda Hamilton’s character in “Terminator 2.” I look forward to many years of rock climbing because there’s always a new route to explore, either at indoor climbing gyms or at local areas like Joshua Tree.

The best part of rock climbing is at the crux, the point on the route that can be the most challenging and strenuous. The crux varies from route to route. Getting through it requires moves that demand focus, confidence and boldness. In my day-to-day life, I don’t get much opportunity to show my macho side. With rock climbing, a little gutsiness (and maybe a little craziness) helps you to climb your best. I love being on natural rock, so intimate with nature and true to my aggressive self.

When I return to the office on a Monday morning after a weekend of climbing and camping, I might be sore, but I feel like Clark Kent, with a secret reserve of energy.

How Did You Do It? Do you have a story about how you lost weight and kept the pounds off? Or a story about how you learned to mountain climb or in-line skate, trained for a half-marathon, or discovered a unique way of keeping fit, dealing with a nagging ailment or persevering with a fitness regimen despite some obstacles?

If so, we’d like to hear from you. Tell us your story in a 500-word essay listing what worked in terms of diet, exercise and encouragement, as well as any emotional and physical changes.

For weight-loss stories, send us full-body color photos of yourself, before and after. For other types of stories, send a color photo of yourself doing the activity you’re writing about.

Send essay and photos to How I Did It, Health, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Include daytime and evening phone numbers. Submissions cannot be returned. And, please, no phone calls.

In addition to publication, winners will receive a Los Angeles Times Health section gym bag.