Training hasn’t been as consistent as I’d like it to be (recently) but I am making progress. I spent most of the winter and early spring in the gym and have been pleased with the results. However, now the weather is heating up and the next climb is only three months away. That can only mean one thing – stairs. I started a couple of weeks ago with some short 30 story rounds. It felt pretty good – not at all difficult (at least not as difficult as they were last year). This weekend I kicked it up a few notches with back-to-back 104 story climbs. Those were a bit tougher (especially the second set) but I still felt pretty good at the end.
I’m going to stick to the ~100 story climbs on the weekends through May. Then, I’ll bump it up to 150 stories a workout and see how that works. While it sounds like a lot it’s really nothing compared to a day on a mountain. The combined pain and boredom does wear on me a bit but that’s a good thing. It takes a certain amount of mental toughness to climb over 100 stories when you’re already tired and that commitment will pay off when I’m climbing the real thing. As my friend Patrick said recently:
My mantra for the next month is, “Little Bear doesn’t care!” Just under a month until we go for one of Colorado’s toughest 14ers. Anytime I’m hurting when I train I’m telling myself, “Little Bear doesn’t care!” Climb On!
During the week I’ll stick to the routine I’ve had for a few months now – treadmill, elliptical, and weights at 24 Hour Fitness. In fact, I’ll be doing that tonight. My hope is to keep the routine somewhat balanced, and spend some time outside as well, to avoid the rut I got into late last year. I think I have it figured it out now but the next three months will tell.
Keep up the great work John! The climbing season is upon us and August is a short 3-months away. Put in the training time now for an excellent Chicago Basin trip – you won’t regret it!
Climb On!
Robert
Thanks Robert. I know that even attempting to keep up with the three of you is going to be punishing. I’m working hard.
No worries John – as I tell Alan and Patrick – there’s no medal at the top. It’s not a race to the top of any mountain rather it’s a sustained, slow marathon. A climber picks a pace that they can maintain for hours at end without having to start/stop in order to rest. Alan is the master in such an approach. That and really figuring out one’s gear, how much it weighs, what you really need and what you can leave behind is equally as important. As we get closer to the August trip, email Alan, Patrick or myself about gear questions. In addition, we’ll have “group” gear too so no need for everyone to carry a water filter for example.
Climb On!
Robert