One simple instruction. Go inspect the rock wall. A task senior Andrew Duffy has done many times during his employment at Life Time Fitness.

He checks the auto belays, a device that enables people to climb without assistance. He checks all the rocks, making sure everything was just right. But this time the inspection felt different. Not different because of a change to the rock wall, but rather a difference within Duffy.

He stands behind the rock wall, 30 feet above the ground where, on the other side, a yellowish propeller shaped rock is attached. Fear takes over his body as he looks down. Last time Duffy was up this high, one simple mistake could have caused Duffy to never walk again.

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On Wednesday Aug. 19 the sunlight beamed through the glass of the large windows, casting shadows on the climbing wall as Duffy begins to put on his harness. He and his belayer double check themselves and the equipment, making sure everything is all good before the climb.

After the required “on belay” and “belay on” communication between the two, Duffy began his ascent like he did about five times a week.

On this day Duffy decided to lead climb, where he would clip in as he moves up the wall, instead of the basic top rope climbing style.

This type of climbing is seen as less restricting because belayers don’t pull the slack of the rope as the climbs goes, a bigger risk but a bigger reward.

After completing his route for the day Duffy let go off the wall, expecting to be caught by the slack of the rope his belayer let during the climb. By mistake the rope continued to exit the grigri, a metal device that helps secure the rope, leaving Duffy in a free fall.

“The first ten feet [of the fall] I was okay with it,” Duffy said. “But then during the second ten feet I realized I was going to hit the ground.”

And he did.

Landing in a sitting position, the six inches of padding on Life Time’s floor did little to cushion the lower vertebrae that was ultimately cracked during the impact of the fall in Duffy’s lower back. Not realizing the severity of the situation Duffy tried moving on with his day.

“I was just kind of laying there for a while and thought I was just tight,” Duffy said. “I tried walking it off around the rock wall, which hurt like crazy.”

Still not convinced the fall was serious, he simply went home. It wasn’t until the next morning that Duffy visited the doctor. After having x-rays taken, the doctors told him that the crack in his lower vertebrae would cause him to have an estimated recovery time of six weeks.

The month and a half without Duffy would be strenuous on the team because not only was he predicted to be one of the top runners this season but he is also one of the four captains.

As a captain, Duffy knew his injury affected more than just himself. He was determined to run again.

“The doctors said it would take six weeks to heal but I think I’m healing faster than that,” Duffy said.

If he wanted to reach his goal of running by the Oct. 3 meet in Round Rock, Texas, Duffy knew he would have to start his rehab training immediately.

His workouts shifted from 50 mile running weeks to daily stationary biking. According to cross country coach Steve Telaneus, Duffy’s work ethic didn’t change during his rehabilitation training.

“He comes to me to get the workouts, we talk about a plan, he does the plan and he gives me good feedback,” Telaneus said. “It’s like talking to another adult, it’s very straightforward and he commun-icates well.”

Despite not being able to take on the course with his teammates, Duffy still attends every cross country meet.

He helps the managers time and take mile splits while cheering on the team. Having to stand on the side at the race was really hard for Duffy.

“If someone isn’t doing well and you feel like you could run with them and help them but you can’t,” Duffy said. “It really kind of hurts.”

The limitations of Duffy’s involvement due to his back has been tough on the cross country program according to Telaneus.

“It has definitely left a hole, leadership wise and talent wise,” Telaneus said. “It’s been tough on the boys so hopefully it will make us stronger when he come back because some of the other boys have had to step it up.”

Duffy’s absence on the course is felt by everyone around him according fellow captain and varsity athlete senior Cole Klashinsky.

“We were looking pretty good until it happened so we had to stop and reevaluate and sort of readjust,” Klashinsky said.

Over the last two weeks Duffy has started to run again, hoping to fill that hole as soon as possible.

He plans to travel with the team this weekend down to Round Rock to the McNeil Invitational. After McNeil there is one more race before the district meet where the team will have the opportunity to advance to the regional competition.

“I mean, we’ve been doing fine without him, but I can’t wait until he’s back because I really miss him,” Klashinsky said.