to this hold:
really they weren't that far apart, may be 3 feet, but one was on the underhang and one was above, making the move would be the difference between finishing the problem, and crashing to the ground. I have gotten very good at crashing to the ground.
Still unlike cycling especially on the road bike where I often can find myself trying to solve the problems of the world, when I am climbing, my brain is quite, no chatter, just the few moments of me on the wall, focused on making the next move, solving the next problem. With a crash, I've missed the move again, I pick myself off the crash pad, sit down and think through the problem some more.
Perhaps it's the lack of brain chatter that makes me enjoy climbing, I find it incredibly relaxing and a great compliment to my riding. When not climbing I can often be found lying around the floor, watching far more skilled climbers ply their expertise. That's pretty relaxing too. What kind of of gym encourages you to lay around when not working out. I think the YMCA clearly frowns on that behavior.
Finally, I jump into the problem half way,no sense wasting energy getting to that spot if I can't make the move, and I nail it. Sweet. Finally. I don't bother finishing the problem, just the move, because if I can't start at the beginning, make the grab, and then finish, why does it matter. I've done the move, I know I can do it. I just have to put it together.
I walk away from this section of the bouldering wall, and do a couple of somersaults on the padded floor, I flop on to one of the many crash pads. The floor, the room in many ways reminds me of my many days flopping around the wrestling mats. I admit watching Wes the conqueror stretching today, I had to hold myself back from slapping a cross face cradle on him.
I refrain, I walk back to the problem determined to get it, I start at the beginning, I move up the wall, I get to where I need to make my move, 1..2...3...
with a thump I find myself on the crash pad again. Missed it again. Instead of walking away, almost in anger I climb right back on, my arms are tired, have you seen my arms? I am a cyclist, there's really no gun show here. I make the first couple of grabs, and position myself for the big move, this time I fluidly flow from the early moves right into the one that I have been missing. I make the reach, I make the hold. I have it. I am so stoked, but now have to finish the problem or it's all for naught, I'm tired my tank is empty, it's now or never. A few seconds later, it's all over, I finished it. Sweet. I walk away from the wall slap hands with Buddy the leg breaker, and say, "hell yeah..."
I am in the last week of my base. Rest week next week. These are all good things. This year coach has had me work in some intensity through this period, not too much but just enough to let me know I am alive. I'll admit I'm usually pretty strict about no intensity during base, but I have to say I feel stronger now in March than perhaps ever. I also did a much better job of taking a break after cross, without totally depleting that fitness and having to start totally from scratch again. (my normal modus operandi) It feels weird to feel good this time of year. So I ask myself what's March strength equate to? Well, I'm guessing we'll find out pretty damn soon.
Kuhn's Mass Relay race is coming up soon, and I have to admit I'm really excited for it. We have three team's coming out of our little group (2 Spot Brand- TwinSix teams), so that will be fun. The farm is a really good place to ride, and I have historically done okay over there. Kuhn always comes up with fun, different race ideas, and frankly with the weighting system, I will be surprised if a team a expert men comes away with the cup. Kuhn's a married man, so give him a little sexy time, and register for his race, I know he gets all excited as more team's show up in the registered list. One thing is for sure it's gonna be a fun way to open the season for sure, and it's going to be great seeing so many old friends again. VIVA LA BIKE RACING.
I'll close saying this, I have been doing way too many road miles lately. I am greatly looking forward to getting back in the woods, I mean hell we haven't even done one 4 park ride yet this year. What is that all about? Hopefully things will dry up soon and we can get back to some sweet, sweet single track.
respect.
fm
4 comments:
excellent write up on the boulder problem. Makes me want to boulder right now... and I don't even like to boulder that much.
Come to philly to climb...
turn your hips into the wall...your DYNO for it!
Jamie
yeah, I looked again at the photos. Turn your right hip to the wall, keep your arms straight as much as possible, then one- two- go! Your right hip towards the wall will make you have more friction on the wall. But of course, you already solved the problem.
Dynos are fun, but you wouldn't use it outside. Still loads of fun flying through the air!
I was joking about the Dyno. Dynos are for freaks with long arms.
Like cycling, climbing is about the journey sometimes, not the finish (or the top). I worked a boulder problem (The Iron Cross on Flagstaff, Boulder, CO) for 1 year and got it one random day. Bouldering=Addiction.
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