Cross-Training

So I was taking a self assessment this week of my weaknesses and also; Why I have been falling or not completing certain climbs?  I have decided that it comes down to two things.

1. Mental Challenges and head games
2. General Fitness

This past weekend when I was climbing I made it up every climb and I had the ability to do every move however when sequences got really tough I was unable to take the time to ensure to myself that the falls were clean or that the gear was good.  Instead I took the safe route and tested the system.  This left me cursing myself at the top of  one or two climbs because I had not accurately tested myself.   I was climbing with a sport climber type from Connecticut who just asked the one simple question. 

"Have you ever tried harder than that" 

It left me thinking "well gee I am not so sure anymore." So thinking about my skills and limits I have decided that many of the reasons are me not actually pushing myself.  My feet do not slip off. I seldom miss the general holds and sequence.  I rarely pump out.  This left me with the general position that I need to push myself. 

What better way than to do that running, stretching, and cross training since I cannot maximize my time on the rock?

This weeks plan is to run 20 miles or more and get myself stretching so that I continue to increase my flexibility.

So far it is Wednesday and I found that I was able to run each day and also fit in time for 5 pitches of tweaky short sport climbing at Bolton quarry.  We will see if the rain holds up for a weekend of climbing.

The Training Begins!

So I have started this blog as a way to start training intensively again for my rock climbing goals and to improve myself in a new way.  My goal here is to climb the grade of 5.13.  I have never been able to get even near to it.  As someone who has always had school or work or life in the way I have decided that it is time.  My Journey begins in the small town of Montpelier VT.  The closest cliff to home with established climbs is 19.1 miles away.  There are 5.12 climbs and easier at this small band of cliffs which will provide the perfect training ground for me to continue on my journey to the 5.13's.  My next month is going to be spent assessing my strengths and finding a good way to work on my weaknesses. I hope to get all of my thoughts on paper so that I can have each step and progress point down to work on over the next year.  Last weekend I lead a 5.8 trad route and was able to toprope some 5.12s.  I felt gripped on the 5.8.  I am going to need to get better to even think of leading a 5.13.