[guydaley]

Mighty Mite – The Climbing Wall

Thankyou kind sirs noticing my poor punctuation.  After a point I get tired of proofreading my stuff and punctuation comes in last but I will endeavor to do my best.  Of course if any proofreading pros want to volunteer? hint, hint I would be most happy to forward it to you first.

We met one more time at Corsica Park and she upped the ante on me, which was to be expected.  I had to run the stairs with the 20# weight belt all twelve times.  No telling what she was wearing under her voluminous sweat shirt but it certainly made her out of breath this time.  Looks like she was pushing herself pretty hard.   But her recovery was always remarkable. 

Rarely did we talk much, unless it was tips on supplements.  She anticipated what the additional strain on my joints would be for running stairs with weights and recommended something to help them recover from the arduous workout.  She also pointed out a much better cushioning shoe for this sort of thing.   

At the end of our session and this was the first time I've seen her look depleted (which really made me wonder what could do that to this little mini super woman) she said, "I've got good news and bad news."

Haha, crestfallen, its a good word, but that was nothing compared to what I felt at this moment.  I didn't want ANY bad news.  I just waited for her to tell me what she had to say, pretending to be too out of breath to speak.

"The bad news is I've got to go overseas for 10 days and the good news is that when I get back I've got a special treat for you."

The relief was overwhelming, I worked hard, very hard today but I was thinking she might have thought it wasn't enough.  She was always completely unreadable, extremely businesslike.  Rarely was a personal comment raised and she knew I was well versed on conditioning, supplements on the like, so she would just give me reminders, tidbits of support.  Her presence was all the motivation I really needed.

"I've got to go evaluate two new clients, if I accept either or both, they'll come stateside.  Do you know how to motivate yourself while I'm gone?"

Then she got a real serious tone and stepped closer, almost getting in my face, which was sort of hard for her to do since the height differential was about 10", "Are you going to slack and/or (and she said it just that way and/or) drink beer in my absence?"

I couldn't get over the change in her temperament, it was a radical shift, but I said, "No, I won't, I'll probably cross train a bit, go on some long bike rides (my joints had taken a pounding on those stairs).  Maybe roller blade depending on the weather, but I won't drink any beer.  The day after our first session I gave the 12 pack I had in the fridge to my neighbor."

"Yes, I know you haven't drank any beer but as to the beer in your fridge I don't really know whether its still there or not."

"Mite", I paused for emphasis, "You've got me hooked, I'm really interested in getting into shape this time", and I reached to put my hands on her shoulders and when I touched them, it made me lose my train of thought for a moment because I thought, god are they firm and surprisingly broad for her frame, "I trust your judgment and training implicitly.  I have a pretty good idea how to motivate myself during your absence."

The seriousness evaporated from her face, "Good, I'll meet you at the Sports Barn June 14th at 9:00 PM, meet me out front."

"The Sports Barn on Gregory?"

"No, the one on Hamilton."

"Okay, sounds good" and before I could say anything else to her face she was jogging away and I yelled after her, "Have a good trip!"

"I will!", she yelled over her shoulder.

This was getting ridiculous.  When she said she had bad news I felt like I had been punched in the stomach by a heavyweight.  I don't need this kind of complication in life.  I can lead a simple life, go about my simple business, drink beer, marvel at muscled women at my leisure and just be mainstream.  Or I can tag along with Mighty Mite; personal, Amazing Kreskin trainer to the world and see where it gets me.  But at this rate if I didn't get my head together I was going to start losing sleep over it and the only way to avoid that was to train hard.  I didn't get much done on the house, couldn't get my head into it, so I'd go on a huge bike ride one day, big hike another, long kayak trip through Lake Unions and Washington on another, always mixing it up and every night I went to bed too tired to think much more about Mysterious Mite, since I did that practically all the time on my long exercise sessions.  So if anything, due to various frustrations about the situation I'm sure Mite would have approved at how vigorously I applied myself in her absence.  And I also couldn't help wonder if she knew she was driving me nuts and that's exactly what I would do.  "I know what you want and I know what you need."  Those words were starting to haunt me.

The Climbing Wall at the Sports Barn

As usual I wasn't going to miss this meeting or be late for any reason.  Ten days without Magical Mite and I was ready for another dose but the store was closed.  It closed at 8:00 PM so I wonder if she got her times mixed up.  But no, she was there right at 9:00 PM.

"Hi Mite", trying not to be too enthusiastic with my greeting, "How was your trip?"

She was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and the shadow was cast over her expression, "I have potentially two more clients, but I'm having problems."

"Oh?"

"Lets go, I've got the key, one of the chief executive officers of the corporation was one of my clients and I've got permanent access to the climbing wall."

As we were walking around to a back entrance I wondered who else had been ex-clients and why in hell was she was so popular?  I mean, I just didn't know people that had world renowned reputations.  So why was I here with her?

She switched on the indoor lights, then found the bank of lights for the climbing wall.  I had heard about this wall from the weekly papers but I was impressed, it was HUGE, very wide, the width of the old, giant wide screen theaters and naturally it was several stories tall. 

"Okay, we have a few minutes before your support man arrives."

"My support man?."

"Obviously you haven't used a climbing wall before, he's going to to be at the end of the support rope so that when you fall it won't be on your head.  You wear a climbing harness."

"Did you bring your weight belt?"

"No I didn't think."

She interrupted, "Didn't THINK!"  She looked totally frustrated.  "Strip down to your shorts."

I was dumbfounded as usual, didn't know what to make of this outburst, but I took off my jacket and shirt right away. 

She walked around me appraisingly, "Lift your left arm", which I promptly did, "nice intracostals, you got those at the gym, oh HO, you found your first two cans of the six pack, very nice.  You've got the potential for the physique of a decathlete from 30-40 years ago."

"30-40 years ago?"

"Yeah your too short, the decathletes are getting taller and taller, ALL athletes are getting taller and taller, but I'll tell you who the REAL athletes are", raising her voice, "people like Mugsy Bogues, only 5' 8" and can still dunk the basket.  People don't think much about someone dunking a basket because all the giants can easily do it but someone that is only 5' 8"?  Now that's a REAL athlete.  He's practically flying when he's dunking a basket but hardly anybody appreciates that.  I helped train him."

She did it again, effortlessly, I didn't leave my mouth hanging open this time, I was sort of getting used to this.

She turned away from me as if she was starting to get emotional, then she abruptly turned back and poked me in the rib, "What is it with YOU!"  This didn't take me totally by surprise it seemed like she was working up to something.  In very measured words, "YOU ARE INTERFERING WITH MY WORK!", the last word was greatly emphasized.  "There is nothing special about you on the outside, your just a wanna be athlete, that never got the support when you were young to go anywhere.  Single parent I suppose?  No money for sports and Mom didn't care?  And now your just in it because its good for you and will keep you young?  Christ I've trained and dropped dozens of millionaires that train for the very same reasons just like you, that were seeing life passing them by while they were slaving in the office making there millions.  But what the hell is it about you that makes you different?", she jabbed her finger in to my ribs to punctuate different and it did NOT feel good.

"Hey", I said while placing my hand over my ribcage to block any more jabs.  "Your not the only one that is confused, I'd like to know why your having anything to do with me?"

"Good question" she said calming down.

Before this surreal scenario could play itself out any further, a door could be heard closing and a tall, very sturdily built man that looked like he'd been working out for years walked in.  "Hi Mite!  I'm very pleased that you decided to use our facilities and that I could help tonight."

Mite's mood seemed to change immediately and she walked over and gave him a firm hug, the size difference was substantial, "Whoa Mite, don't break any ribs."

Mite stood back and looked at him, "Jim I'm so glad your sticking with the program."  Jim had a sheepish grin, "Yes well I delegate a lot more than I use to, make time for staying in shape and I ask your advice first and the doctor, second if it all."

"Jim, I'd like you to meet Guy, I'm still evaluating him as a potential client", she eyed me as if it were a threat.

Jim had a very imposing and distinguished presence, salt and pepper hair, typical boardroom upper echelon except that he was SOLID.  He thrust out his hand and I met his grip but I was sure he could crush my hand if he liked. 

"Jim help him with the gear please, I'm going to get ready."

I don't know what Mite needed to do to get ready because it seems like she did everything in sweat pants and bulky sweater.

Jim said, "over here, we'll get you situated, ever done this before?" and without pausing for an answer, "Yeah its a lot of fun, but don't worry about falling, you won't drop very far before you bounce.  Here's the key thing, try to focus on your own efforts of just getting a grip and pulling yourself up to the next appropriate grip.  Don't watch Mite at all, or your going to fall, that's all there is to it.  Easier said then done I know but don't worry, I've got you covered.

I was stunned again, trying to maintain the appearance that I was in a normal situation, but here I was with Jim, a bigger than life individual that just exuded, self confidence, and basically someone that has seen and done it all.  Yeah, kind of like I had just met John Wayne in person and this is who Mite hung out with?  I guess in her own way, Mite was probably bigger than any of them. 

Mite had brought a small tote with her and now it was apparent she had a pair of climbing shoes in them and for the first time I saw her without her sweat pants on and she was wearing one of those satin jogging, short shorts or whatever you call them that the marathoners wear on their runs.  She still had her baggy hooded sweat shirt on but now I saw her legs for the first time.  I sort of knew what was under those sweat pants but seeing is believing.  No, no, they weren't giant body builder legs, of course not.  They were a combination of body builder and fitness competitor legs.  The size was half way between fitness and bodybuilder but the definition was unbelievable.  I will stick with the ol' stereotypical description of chiseled.  If she moved her leg in any fashion whatsoever, some muscle was dancing.   Her body fat must have been close to zero, that's the only way I can explain it.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded

"Lets do it."

I assessed the wall briefly and started attacking it.  After a few handholds up I wondered when Mite would get her harness on.  I suppose she was giving me the usual massive head start so I simply applied myself.   It wasn't long and she startled me as she was right below me, "A little different than climbing the treehouse, huh?  But I can see your handling it like the average overall athlete."

I paused to say something because I wasn't ready to climb and talk at the same time, "I never made any claims to anything different."

"You can't or I would know."  I never was one to bullshit with people but I promised myself to be squeeky clean honest with Mite concerning anything I've done in the past that was physical in nature.

Then Mite was next to me on my left but I was looking for handholds to the right or at least I thought she was to my left but I guess she was above me and to the left now and I knew that way had an overhang and I was staying away from that. 

A moment later, Jim yelled up to me, "Remember what I said!"

Then above me I heard Mite say over her shoulder and I couldn't tell if she was serious or not because she never joked with me like this before, "Hurry up or your going to fail."

And I looked up, and I suppose I wasn't getting used to her surprises after all, my jaw dropped again.  She was like a spider, her strength to weight ratio must be inhuman and it looked like she was trying to climb without using her feet the whole way.  She was on an overhang that stuck out maybe five feet, twenty feet directly above me.  I saw her swinging from one handhold to another and her hood swung wide and caught on some other grip, it jerked her head back, she missed the grip she was aiming for and lost her grip on the one she was holding fast. 

"SHIT!", she yelled as she dropped like a rock.

Off in the distance, I heard someone yell something from below and I didn't have time to do anything, say or think anything before Mite collided with me and I got peeled off the wall, I was dropping, twirling and then a tremendous jerk but I was more surprised by my hitchhiker than anything else.  Somehow Mite had latched onto the rope supporting my harness and then after a major bounce she was down holding onto my torso with her mouth by my ear and in a very angry, but quiet voice, "Boy are you in trouble."

I didn't say anything stupid like, are you alright.  I just kept my mouth shut.  I had to learn to expect anything at anytime when I was in her presence or try to anyways.

In a big booming voice, "Whoa, Nelly!" as Jim was lowering us to the ground, Mite released me from about 10' above the ground and dropped to the mat.  She immediately turned and walked toward Jim, "I'm terribly sorry Jim, I'm sure I scared you as much as I scared myself.  I'm out of sorts lately but that's still no excuse, will you forgive me, please", she said pleadingly.

When my feet touched the ground, Jim's attention immediately left me and his expression was a clash of emotions but he walked straight to Mite for a hug.  I was still attached to the harness and rope but I walked towards them and could barely hear what he said at first, "When you do things like that I want to be here to help, on the other hand I don't want to be here.  Yes, I'm in pretty good shape thanks to you, but don't test me that way, I'm not sure I could handle it.  Look,"  He held her out at arms length, I'll support you with whatever you want to do right now, but you owe me one, I have another adventure planned, rafting down the Quijos River in Ecuador and you MUST come with me and the boys. 

"You know I'd love to, that sounds super exciting, but something strange is going on in my life right now and I have to figure it out."

"Did it have anything to do with your fall?"

"Yes and no, it was stupid of me to wear this sweater while climbing, I was going to take it off when I got to the top.  On the other hand I think I could climb for miles with this sweater and it would never happen again, it was just a freak occurence."

I had paused before getting too close because it seemed like these were kind of personal moments but I could hear everything because it was dead quiet in the store. 

She turned around and faced me fuming, "Alright lazy, get back to the wall and start climbing."  She reached under her baggy sweatshirt and unstrapped a weight belt and tossed it to me, "Get busy!"

Yup it was definitely heavier than the one I had, maybe 25 #s or so.  I was in a daze, my hands were working of there own accord, there was room under the harness for the belt.

"Jim I'm going up front and borrow another belt okay."

"Mite, you just help yourself to whatever you want."

Jim waited till after Mite left the room and then walked over to me.  "I've never seen something like this happen to her before.  There is no one else like her.  Hell I'm not sure she could get hurt if she wanted too, she always lands like a cat, one time she even saved my life, hell ME AND the boys", Jim was getting a little thunderous here but eased off.  "I can see your a mature adult but I sure to hell hope you don't have anything to do with her problems right now."   With that, he shifted gears, and cautioned me, "There is only one thing that will satisfy Mite right now and that's if your so tired that you won't be able to grip your steering wheel for the drive home.  I'll tell you one more thing.  If she accepts you as her client, she will not fail you.  You might think your doing all the work but I assure you without her help you won't get there.  She changed my life, don't ask me how.  I've seen dozens of personal trainers, there is no one else like her.  If she accepts you as her client, you should be honored, that is a rare privilege."  Jim fussed with my gear for a bit, "Off you go." 

My head was spinning, and I'm not sure how I was able to focus on climbing but I did and I climbed and I climbed and I started falling off more and more but I could see Mite wasn't sitting around.  There was a chin-up bar near the wall.  She was doing countless chin ups, you name them she was doing them, wide-grip, close grip, behind-the-neck, inverted grip.  Every once in a while I'd hear a scream and I would dart a quick look down and it would appear that she would be in the midst of her last rep on some long, agonizing set. 

One time I looked down and she was between sets, she cupped her hands and yelled up to me, "Don't look at me, get busy!"  But it came to a point where I couldn't climb anymore and Jim knew it, so he dropped me down.

Mite sensed that I was done and so was she.  She tried a couple more times to do a pullup.  I could see her weight belt had been tossed, she was totally spent.

Mite trudged over to Jim and gave him a very exhausted hug.  "Once again, I'm sorry for the fright I gave you." 

"Listen, I've already forgotten about it, now please consider the trip to Ecuador, maybe you can sort your problems out there? huh?  I'll forward the dates to you.  I'll lock up, rest easy now, that was a vicious upper body workout you did."

Mite went to collect her tote, which was close to the door, "Lets go", she said very tiredly.

We said nothing to one another, as we approached one corner of the building she dashed ahead and I could hear her starting to wretch so I gave her some privacy.  I suppose her workout was three times mine, she had every right to throwup.  Maybe she was human after all.  Then again I probably haven't seen everything she can do either, so I better hold judgment in abeyance. 

I waited until she was just spitting and then I came around the corner and told her I had napkins in the car.  She stood up and looked up at me with tears in her eyes, "I've never fallen before."  I'm not sure what she wanted from me at that point but I approached her and she held an arm out to put around my waist and I placed my arm around her waist and I could feel her trembling…a lot.

She sniffed, "Can you drive?"

At that point I wasn't sure I could drive either, my arms were overcooked noodles and if they had any strength too them I would have been marveling at the firmness of her waist, "I'm not sure yet."

"You don't say much, do you?"

"Mite, you are so far out of my league, I don't know what to say half the time."

"I've lost count, but you owe me a BUNCH of shakes, and I want one now.  I know a place that's open, lets go."

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