Training and Progress

I have had the privilege, recently, to climb with some very motivated people over the last 2 months.  I feel very lucky.  What is more, I have established a solid schedule and have been able to balance school and climbing very well.

Campus Board - Planet Rock's Hidden Gem

I reflected a little bit after a basement climbing session last Tuesday and realized how fortunate I am.  At the beginning of September I attended the Backyard Bouldering Competition at Adam Page's and reconnected with some friends I had not seen in a long time.  There was a great turn out and I climbed great, for not climbing for close to a year.  

Backyard Bouldering!

It really sunk in, getting looks of disbelief from friends, when I climbed so well that I have a talent for climbing.  Right then.  I felt the need to push myself again.  That brings me to the present day.  I have been training since that competition and Tuesday I had a moment of clarity; I am getting stronger.  I want to detail my work out and refine the schedule.  I plan to do a write up and post what I have been doing.  

DRCC Hangboards!

For now enjoy this hangboard program I have started from Chris Webb Parsons.  

Courtesy of klenodium.com

Fresh Motivation

This year has been quite unusual if you look at my previous years of life.  This is my first complete year at the University of Detroit Mercy as a Titan!  I decided to participate in college life.  The best way I could think of was to become an athlete.  So, I tried out for the fencing team at school this year.  Having not fenced before I thought it would be a good idea to go and participate in intramural fencing to learn as much as possible before tryouts.  I took it all in and after tryouts they announced names.  Mine included! 

It felt good to be chosen and I know I would have been a great fencer, but UDM is a NCAA Division 1 team, which means they have strict restrictions and regulations.  One regulation is eligibility and I was not eligible to be on the team, due to age.   Eligibility slowly decreases after the athlete turns 21. 

I had prepared myself for competition and intense conditioning.  I had even prepared a schedule to make sure I could train 12 hours a week while staying on top of my schooling.  Being prepared without being able to represent UDM as a Titan left me bummed, but for only half a thought.  I quickly decided to focus my energy toward climbing. 

The past three weeks I have been training at many climbing walls scattered throughout the metro Detroit area.  I have not come up with a specific climbing goal yet, but I know where my physical energy will be focused this winter.  

Just one of the 60 Degree Training walls