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"This Season's Climbing Goals Review......"

My first multi-pitch Trad Lead !

This year one of my many goals was to start trad lead climbing. I reached my goal and trad lead 16 climbs this season. The highlight was our trip to the Needles and Mount Rushmore where I was finally able to put into practice multi-pitch trad leads. My climbing partner Tom and I climbed for 6 days straight and really got in good climbing and rope handling experience. My first multi-pitch Trad Lead was Spire 2 in the Cathedral Spires area in the Needles. I lead pitch 1 & pitch 3. I felt really solid climbing, my protection was solid, and my anchoring and rope management was satisfactory, meaning I need more time on the rocks to improve my efficiency. Several times I was forced to climb above my protection higher than my comfort zone because of lack of rock features, but that's real world trad lead climbing. It really feels good achieving goals. This winter season my goal is to lead ice climbing.

In Strength

"Kinetic Edge Rules......."

I've made the commitment to work out 3x per week at Kinetic Edge Performance. The work-outs are brutally satisfying and will help me achieve my fitness goals. I'm seriously training for April 2010 Tactical Strength Challenge. I've made an appointment for next week with Brad Nelson my strength coach, to help me refine my technique in dead lifting. Brads developing a program template for me to follow to help me achieve my goals. I just installed a heater in my garage gym, so I can work my dead lifts and Brads training program at home throughout the winter months. I will also be continuing my 2-3x per week at KE.

My Tactical Strength Challenge Goals:
Dead Lift 415 lbs
Pull-Ups 15
Snatches 125 in 5 minutes with 24 kg Kettlebell

These goals are subject to change as my training progresses.

My next decision is to sign up for Open category (all ages) or the Masters category (50 year +) ?
I'm tending to sign up for the Open, because it would be more of competition as there are usually 80 or more competing. The Master's last year had only 2 competitors, first and second place, where's the challenge of competition ? I'll make the final decision later on.

I plan on posting my training log along with my other winter wonderland activities.

In Strength

Visit: www.tacticalstrengthchallenge.com if you are interested in the event

"Tactical Strength Challenge"

10-03-09
Participated in the "Tactical Strength Challenge" @ Kinetic Edge Fitness. I entered the Novice Class as it is my first TSC.
Results:
Deadlifted 315# New personal record
Pull-Ups 6
Snatches 131 in 5 minutes w/ 16kg Kettlebell

Nationally I placed 7th in this class. My previous best deadlift was 280# so I smashed that lift with 315#. My pull-ups were disappointing. Snatches were right on placing 2nd nationally. I could have easily placed 1st, but I waited to long to ramp up my speed, next time.

I now have my baseline numbers for the next TSC Challenge in April 2010. I am going to prepare for the Masters Class this time.

In Strength

Sharp end of the rope....

Been awhile since my last blog, computer failure followed by failure to communicate. I've been trying to climb as much as possible outdoors and I've increased my kettlebell training at Kinetic Edge to two times per week. I hope to get a membership for a year committment to kettlebell and body weight training at KE. Then I will be targeting 3X per week in addition to my climbing. This weekend I Trad Lead 2 more times, now I am up to 5 trad leads under my belt. So far I am comfortable trad leading in the 5.5 - 5.6 range. Sport lead I am comfortable in the 5.7 - 5.8 range outdoors. On September 12th I am leaving for a nine day climbing vacation to the Needles and Mt Rushmore in S.D. and Devils Tower in WY. I plan on doing Trad and Sport Lead and practice multi-pitch climbing. I am looking forward to a great time. I have my Son Chris covered for the 9 days with great help and back-up so all should be well at the home front. I will post a blog and hopefully photos of my trip when I return.

In Strength

Ely's Peak.........

Tom, Luke, Tesa, Jane and I went climbing at Ely's Peak today! It was pretty wet from very low lake effect clouds. The climbs were pretty wet so we just set up a couple of top ropes and practiced mach lead in wet conditions. A real fun mach lead was Dislocation Overhang, grade 5.6. We really focused on always watching our feet placement. Although the rock was more slippery you could get good solid stances. It's good to practice in all types of conditions as you never now what you will encounter in the mountains. I felt I probably could have done Trad Lead today, but it's probably best to err on the side of caution in wet conditions.

In Strength

Today's Quote........

"You can only lead others, where you yourself are prepared to go."

-----Lachlan McLean

In Strength