Falling on Your 'One Last Try'? Here’s How to Make It Count (and Feel Amazing)

You probably know this feeling…

You’ve just found a boulder problem that feels amazing. Every move is hard, but somehow, you did them all!

Now you’re so close to sending it, but you keep falling off.

It’s late. You should head home.
Your partner or friends are waiting—and they’re getting annoyed.
Your arms feel weak. Your body is spent.

Yet, somewhere inside, you find just enough strength to try again.

You say those magic words:
“One last try.”

And then…
You fall. Again.

What Can You Do in This Situation?

First, pause and ask yourself:

“Why do I want to do this?”

Is it for your ego?
Do you want to learn the move?
Are you stepping out of your comfort zone?

👉 Find your motive.

If you’re climbing with others who are ready to leave, be honest:

“I really want to try this one more time because I feel it will help me step out of my comfort zone—I hope that’s okay if you wait a bit longer.”

(Show them that you care about their time, but also want to pursue your goal. This creates understanding and reduces stress for everyone.)

Now, Here’s How to Actually Send That Boulder

1. REST
Resting isn’t just important—it’s everything.

• Take a few deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth.

• Relax your body. Notice tension in your face, arms, legs, or neck, and let it go.

• Set a timer. Give yourself a specific amount of time to recover.

• Detach from the outcome. Tell yourself, “I just want to try and see if I can do it.”

2. PLAN

Don’t rush back on the wall. Take a moment to strategize.

• Stick to one beta—the one that worked best.

• Brush the holds to make them grippy.

• Visualize each move: “After the jump, I’ll sit on my right leg and grab the next crimp.”

3. GO

• Believe in yourself. You know how to do this. You already did 99%

• Silence intrusive thoughts. Focus only on the moves you’ve planned.

• Stay calm. Remind yourself: you want your climbing to be fun and rewarding.

Why Does This Work?

When you rest, plan, and climb with intention, you reduce mental clutter and physical fatigue. You approach the wall with clarity, confidence, and control.

So next time you hear yourself say, “One last try,” make it count.

And when you finally stick that send, it’ll feel even more amazing. 🎉

3 Quick Giveaways for Making Your ‘One Last Try’ Count

✅Breathe & Reset:
Take 3 deep breaths, relax your muscles, and mentally detach from the pressure to succeed.

✅Brush & Visualize:
Clean the holds and visualize every move—know exactly what you’ll do before starting.

✅Commit with Confidence:
Believe in your beta, silence intrusive thoughts, and focus on enjoying the climb.

Fingers crossed

Aleks 🤞