I did something today that I thought I’d never be able to do again. I took part in GoApe in Coventry. My body screamed “Don’t do it!”, my mind screamed “You’re crazy!” but this tiny part of me looked back at my scouting days and said…
“You’ve just got to try…”
I am overweight – that’s a given. “Plus Size” if you like but basically I am unfit and I don’t exercise unless you count pushing the accelerator pedal really hard in my Fiat 500. The last time I did anything remotely similar to GoApe was in my teens when I went to Explorer Scouts. (Yep, I was one of those kids.)
But when I got the opportunity to try out the new GoApe Coventry experience with my blogger pal Lizzie, I just had to give it a go – What was there to lose? I could just go, get ready and then chicken out and get myself an ice-cream and cheer on my friends from the ground. Right up until the last second, I was already planning my escape.
I don’t have a fear of heights at all… My worst fear was humiliation. Being the obviously unfit girl who got stuck halfway and had to be got down because she couldn’t do it anymore. I definitely did not expect what actually happened.
I only went and did it!
As much as my friends did, and more than some other people I saw around me doing, and other than the wonderfully attractive view of my bum that I put everyone through (sorry, not sorry), I didn’t worry one bit about the people around me! Completed the difficult short course, I jumped off “The Plummet” which is a free-fall drop, and I climbed and zip-lined down like the rest of them. Something I never thought my physical health would ever let me do again.
Back in Scouts, they never left you behind and quitting just wasn’t an option. They always pushed you because they knew that you’d feel worse having not done something than just doing it. I try to take a bit of that mentality into everything, become a bit of a “Yes” man and taking every opportunity that’s offered to me.
GoApe Coventry? Completed it mate.
I even managed to get to that ice-cream man before he closed for the day. Bonus. My hands are sore, my body is aching but my heart is soaring and I couldn’t actually be happier right now. Those three words are all that matter now…
I DID IT... and if I can do that, I can do anything.
9th April 2019
YOU DID IT!
Your No.1 fan is very proud of you.
9th April 2019
Aww I’m so proud of you Amy! 😀 I knew you would have an amazing time and do it from start to finish. 😀
My anxiety stops me from enjoying some things and Go Ape was one of them for me. I couldn’t continue after halfway through due to my fear of just doing it. I thought I would enjoy the zip wires but they frightened me too much to actually enjoy them.
But honestly go you! I’m so glad you had so much fun!!! 😀
https://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/
10th April 2019
Aww, well there’s always new mountains to climb and hurdles to overcome! Maybe you will do it one day, or you’ll do something just as challenging you never thought you’d do! <3
10th April 2019
YOU GO GIRL! I’m so, so proud of you. I totally understand what you mean when it comes to being afraid of humiliation ( from an anxiety perspective ) and I hope you remember this whenever you doubt yourself from now on. you are a star!
Nati x | http://www.natimacchiato.com
ps. I can’t believe it took you this long to get a certificate of Awesomeness … like … it’s YOU
10th April 2019
Thank you so much! x That P.S Message was so cute. Oh You! 😛
I will try to remember it! Maybe it will stop me talking myself out of physical challenges anyway! I can always give it a go! <3
10th April 2019
Congratulations Amy! I did a Go Ape session recently with my sister, but after getting stuck at one of the points – I somehow managed to jam my rope – I chickened out and didn’t complete the final section of the course. I kind of wish I had now so that I could say I got through it, but I was just so embarrassed. There wasn’t even anyone around to see, but I was still mortified. I think I’d like to go backand try again one day, but maybe when I’m a little fitter.
Emma | https://geekytourist.com
10th April 2019
Oh no! Good on you for giving it a go though! I almost didn’t get up there myself! 🙂 x
Definitely go back and try again! xx
10th April 2019
Way to go!! Glad you tackled it, sounds like fun!
14th April 2019
Guuuurl you did so well and I’m so glad that joined me in the end because it just shows that yes, you are capable of anything! So proud of you ❤️
14th April 2019
It was awesome <3 Thanks so much!
14th April 2019
You should be so proud! Such an achievement I’m in the same boat as you and I would love to complete something like that I just need to sort my knee out and I’ll be there with you! I plan to do a 5k next year that’s what I’m working towards.
It looked like so much fun and glad you did it with your besties. I’m glad you had an amazing time and did something out of your comfort zone!
4th May 2019
So cool! I know this was a little while ago now (late to the party, sorry) but I’m super proud of you!
I would have the fear about being “that terribly unfit girl”, afraid of people thinking, “she doesn’t belong here”…
Though I am getting a bit better at thinking, “what the heck, let’s just do this” ? Just gotta keep doing these kinda things I guess!