Climbing competitions start up again around October in my area. That gives me about 4 months to get into shape and hone my skills to the next level. I think I’ll keep working on my beer belly and watching my free HBO and Showtime for the next month or so, then tackle the training I need to do to get up to the next level. Although I should tell you that it is extremely hard for me not to engage in some kind of activity on a regular basis. I just got done telling you that I'm going to be watching TV and drinking beer for the next 30 days, but I failed to mention that I am also training for a half marathon in October as well. Should probably also mention that I am in pretty good shape now. I run about 5 miles a week, climb 2-3 days a week and play some mean NBA Ballers on PS2 with my buddy the narcissist from time to time. For me to get in “competition shape,” I need to lose about 6 lbs. I think I can do that over the next 4 months. It’s not really the poundage loss I'm going after, it’s the fat percentage. Right now I'm about 14.5% and Id like to be just under 10% come October. Hopefully, I will gain enough muscle that I wont have lost much weight at all. I’ll keep you (who the hell are you anyway?) posted on my progress.
If you don't know much about climbing there are three general types of climbing. The first and easiest is called “Top-Rope.” This means that the rope runs to the top of the route and back down. The potential of a “fall” here is minimal at best. As the climber ascends, the belayer takes up the slack in the rope. Therefore, if the climber “falls,” he may fall, at worst, about a foot. Top-ropers are limited in the height they can climb, to the length of their rope
The second two types of climbing are equally as hard in my opinion. Each has its own strengths and difficulties. If you are going to continue to use a rope, you will naturally progress into “lead climbing.” In this type of climbing, the entire length of rope is on the ground to begin. As the climber ascends the belayer feeds rope upward and the climber secures the rope through a series of protection devices. A fall on lead can result in quite a distance sometimes. This type of climbing requires a lot of mental concentration and endurance to be able to either place your own protection, or clip into a carabiner, while in some precarious positions. Lead climbers can climb any height, since the lead climber can anchor himself in at some point and assumes the belayer duty, while the person on the ground climbs up and begins the next “pitch.”
The third type is my favorite and the one in which I compete most frequently. It’s called bouldering. In bouldering, there isn’t a rope at all. Typically this style of climbing is very strenuous and technical, but doesn’t involve great heights. Generally about 15-20 feet is as high as you get. Although, there are problems involving greater heights, called “highball” problems. After a pretty serious ankle injury last year, I stay away from those for now. This type of climbing involves putting as many powerful and strength oriented moves into a relatively short distance. Sometimes the moves involve a small (or in some instances, great) leaps from one hold to another. If you ever get the opportunity to watch some kind of bouldering, I highly recommend it.
I will still lead and top rope from time to time, but bouldering is where I am focused for competition. Currently I can flash V4, and send up to V6 on good gravity days. For competition in October, my goal is to be able to flash V5 and send at least V7 on occasion. It’s going to be tough, but I think it will all work out.
Ill keep you posted on my training regimen when I get it all worked out. For now, it consists of pizza and beer and a lot of HBO.
Song of the day…Faithless Street by Whiskeytown.
No comments:
Post a Comment