together as the sun crests the mountain and I rise from bed. A rich and right feeling that buoys me through the steady motions of breakfast and getting ready for this long-awaited day. I reach for the best fuel I can think of—a hearty bowl of oatmeal, fresh fruit, and a side of eggs. Bowl and spoon nearby, I stand in front of the mirror beside the bed. I adjust the side seam of my leggings and tug at my olive-green T-shirt that hits right at the high waistband. Socks go on next, then white tennis shoes. Comfortable footwear that can be swapped for climbing shoes when the time comes. Each act, each preparation, serves to cement in my mind that this is the day. This is real. I’m not the same thirty-something who sat at the Monopoly table a month ago, hoping and wondering when her future was going to begin.
The Sadie today is stronger. She’s nervous about climbing in front of a crowd. And she also has belief in the good things that come in facing unknowns. I feel alive. The pulse in my veins and the thrumming within my chest says as much. Butterflies have awakened within me, and so with a slow, controlled breath, I harness that flutter of energy and head out the door. It’s the same backpack slung over my shoulder as always. The blue canvas that’s dusted with chalky fingerprints. But today, it holds continued purpose and possibility as I walk down to my Jeep. It holds all that I’ll need to venture into something I never imagined I’d do. My very first competition. All the equipping and practice is with me now. I need only give it my all.
It feels strange to have these straps braced against my shoulders and not be walking to the bus stop. I kind of miss the trek and the wait where I have a view of some of Colorado’s most breathtaking peaks. Today is different, though. Today it’s just me on the road, the hum of Jeep tires, and the familiar turns that mark the path between home and the place where anything can happen. With a turn of the radio’s volume, an acoustic worship song fills the cab, laced with the warmth of a ukulele. The gym’s going to be a flurry of excitement and activity, so I’ll soak in these last few minutes of solitude.
When Rock Central rises into view above shops and manicured trees, I switch lanes to turn right into the parking lot. Since it’s only ten in the morning, the competition is still a few hours away. But dozens of vehicles fill the parking lot, most likely belonging to climbers, staff members, and route setters. Two food trucks sit parked front and center, and inside, it’s a hum of activity. A ladder clatters as someone unfolds it and two drills are working overtime. A route setter walks by, lugging a milk crate filled with white holds of different sizes.
And then a strange sense of coolness washes over me. Is that . . . air conditioning?
I turn slowly. The room is cool and refreshed. How in the world? I don’t know the logistics but . . . wow. What amazing conditions for the day. With everything different, I’m not even sure where to go when I spot Cassidy coming my way. She greets me with her usual pep.
“Hi, Sadie! So excited you’re here!”
“Thank you. I’m so lost.”
She smirks. “Comps can be intimidating. Especially on your first time. I’ll show you to Iso.”
I nod like I know what that means.
She leads me around the familiar check-in desk. “That’s basically where you’ll be most of the day. It’s where you’ll keep your gear, warm up, and stay for most of the competition.”
“Okay, great.” I follow, relieved for her guidance.
We traverse the edge of the massive gym, and the tall partitions standing all over make this place look different. What’s always been an open, industrial-sized building is now a curving flow of makeshift corridors and sections. I glimpse what looks like the main climbing area which is now covered with tarps to block the routes from view. Following Cassidy, we weave through the crowd of athletes. I notice many familiar faces of adults and teens I’ve seen at Rock Central the past few weeks. From this quick snapshot, it’s easy to sense who will be in the more advanced categories, and who will be at the more basic levels like me. Although I’m at the bottom of the lineup, I don’t feel ashamed in this friendly, upbeat environment. Instead, there’s only a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
Cassidy leads us to a row of chairs which are set up in tidy groups. She angles us around to the smallest of the groups where there are only three chairs. One is marked with my name. This is crazy!
“These seats are for the V1-V2 athletes.”
The way she says it sounds so cool.
Cassidy gestures to the paper taped to the back of the chair where Sadie McGillis is written in black marker.
I touch the paper beside mine with Eleni’s name. “Have you heard—”
“Oh, she’s here!” Cassidy spins in a quick circle, skimming the crowd before pointing to a tall woman with a black scarf wrapping her hair.
I nearly shriek. Eleni spots me and runs over. She wraps me up in a hug and I squeeze tight.
“I’m so glad to see you!” My voice is muffled against her shoulder.
She pulls back, adjusting her head scarf. “I had to miss an entire week at the gym.” She laughs but rolls her eyes. “My husband got called on a business trip and I stayed home to care for Kouros and my parents. I practiced every way I could at home. I climbed the side of our staircase and even scaled the bricks in the wall behind our garden. I must have climbed past the rose bushes dozens of times. It’s a miracle the neighbors didn’t think I was a robber!”
We all laugh.
“This is the best news. I’ve been hoping you’d be here.” I park my backpack on the chair seat.
Cassidy hands me a paper template with my name and the number four, then Eleni helps pin it to the back of my greenT-shirt. Hers is already fastened into place. Cassidy explains that we simply have to stay in isolation until we’re brought out to the boulders and that the Rock Central staff will make sure we know where to go at all times. “There’s a table with snacks and extra water bottles. Everyone can reach the bathroom if you push past that gray tarp over there.”
We thank her, and she steps away as more climbers arrive.
I turn to Eleni who finishes attaching my number. “This is getting real.”
Her brown eyes widen. “I know. My heart is a train in my chest.”
I touch her arm reassuringly before taking a seat next to her. I’m not sure if I should put on my shoes or what I should do. Both she and I are so new at this that we simply take a few minutes to survey the others seated around. The men and women in the more advanced sections are chatting and look at ease. Some have begun stretching and warming up. Although so much of the gym is portioned off, the staff has left a small section of wall available for us to warm up and stay loose. Other than that, we’re entirely isolated from the rest of the venue and won’t be able to see any of the new routes until it’s our turn to climb.
I uncap my water bottle. “Now I know what Iso stands for.”
Eleni nods.
Too anxious to sit for long, I pace. Eleni claims a comfortable section of flooring to stretch. It feels good to move around. I’m just joining her on the mat to stretch when I spy Justice coming our way. Without her mom at her side, the teen girl looks terrified. I wave, and her face brightens when she sees me. She hurries over, plops her climbing shoes in her lap, and sits with her legs folded in as though to become as small as possible.
“This is crazy,” she whispers.
“I know.” I squeeze her hand. “I’m glad we’re in it together.”
She nods quickly.
We swap introductions between her and Eleni. Now the V1-V2 athletes are all accounted for. Justice already has her name and number pinned to the back of her sports tank, so she probably already got the lay of the land from our hosts. She begins to stretch with us. As we chat and watch the other climbers do their pre-competition routine, it’s strangely calming. Come what may, we’re all in this, and we’re all in it together.
I really hope my parents can make it. I whip out my phone to see if they’ve texted, but there’s still nothing.
Cassidy returns and calls for everyone’s attention. Her brother moves in beside her, holding his signature clipboard. His Rock Central tank is the same russet orange as Cassidy’s staff T-shirt. When her voice is drowned out by the chatter, he pulls off his snowboarding hat and tosses out a friendly whistle. Conversations fade.
“We just want to thank everyone for being here,” Cassidy begins. “We are so excited for a day of competitions ahead—for great sends and epic tops.” Her smile is bright. “The route setters have created some incredible blocks for you all, and we’re expecting an amazing turn out of spectators. We’re going to give you all a breakdown of how this will run, then leave you to warm up over the next hour.” She waves, then steps aside for her brother to take her place.
Realizing I’ve been holding my breath, I force an inhale. I had a hunch I was going to be nervous, but this is getting super real now.
“Yes, we are so glad you’re here,” he calls over the noise of the route setters finishing up on the other side of the gym. “So, here’s how the day will run. First up will be the youth comps.” He lists the various age groups. “After that will be the adult categories.” Using a pen, he taps his clipboard. “We have V1-V2, V3-V4, V5-V6, and V7+ in both the men’s and women’s categories. We’ll have one climber from each skill level on the wall at the same time to keep things moving. We’ll keep you organized back here and make sure that everyone gets to where they need to be. Everyone will complete a total of three boulders. Reaching the top will award you full points but making it to the zone also gains partial points.”
Most of the climbers probably already know this lingo, but I listen closely to the breakdown.
He adjusts the corded bracelet on his wrist as he continues. “Each round will last exactly five minutes with a five-minute rest in between. Once the women’s rounds are complete, we’ll finish off the afternoon with the men’s boulders. Then the award ceremony will follow for youth and adults. As Cassidy said, the route setters have done an amazing job and we’ve got some really exciting boulder problems out there for you. Good luck, everyone!”
He finishes with a quick review of the rules, and then the pair of them depart, leaving us to our warm-ups. Eleni stretches both legs and her hand spans the length of her hot pink leggings until she grips the toes of her sneakers. She’s taller and leaner than I am, but Justice and I are built differently, too, which keeps it all interesting. We each have our strengths and weaknesses. Sitting here with them now, I don’t expect to win, but it’s crazy to think that we will each claim one of the spots on the podium. One of us will be gold, another silver, and the third bronze. What will the outcome be?
I’ve committed to focusing on competing against the boulders only and not these sweet women. No matter the outcome, we’re all going to gain an incredible experience. I try to remember the goal I focused on last night. The memory of Sammy waiting so patiently to be the final child to get a sticker.
I am willing and happy to be last. I just want to make the most of the experiences to come.
With a few deep breaths, I hold that assurance close, and when my phone buzzes beside my leg, it’s Britt.
We’re here! Came early to get some parking and lunch.
I’m typing her back when another text shoots through.
And I see your parents! They just pulled in.
My hand flies to my mouth. They came. Before I can even thank Britt for being here, the screen lights with another text. This one’s from my mom.
Hey honey. We're here!
Oh, my goodness. That was such a long drive for them.
Dad has been telling everyone all week that you’re in the competition today. He’s so proud. We’re both proud. Can’t wait to watch you and cheer you on. Good luck, sweetie!
Tears fill my eyes, and it’s with grateful, unsteady hands that I start to type back.
“You got to keep your phone?” Justice asks with wide eyes. “They took mine away at the front desk.”
“Mine too,” Eleni adds.
Oh no! I have a contraband item back here? I stand. “They must have forgotten to tell me. I’ll go turn it in.”
Eleni chuckles as I hurry back through the weaving corridor, searching for Cassidy. I can’t find her, but spot her brother. Panting, I reach him in a few more steps. “Was I supposed to turn this in?” I hold the phone in my open palm.
“Oh, yeah. We keep everyone’s phones outside of Iso. Just so that no one can swap secrets. Or receive pictures of what the boulders look like from the audience.” He’s smiling, so I can tell he’s not in the least bit worried about me getting any kind of inside advantage.
I hand the device over, and he promises to keep it safe. “I’ll put your name on it. We store them all behind the desk.”
“Okay, thanks.”
A climber accidentally bumps into me as I back away.
“Good luck!” The staff guy strains up on his shoes to wave.
I throw him a wave as I dash back to my section, my seat, and the most surprising joy of all from this whole experience—newfound friends.