So here’s the story of the real reason why we’ve been so busy lately (and neglecting the blog so sporadically!). Settle in folks, this might turn into a bit of a novel, haha.
During the spring of last year, I got the hair-brained idea that if I wanted to continue to progress in the sport of rock climbing I needed to lift weights. Yes, weights. As in “scrawny little April pumping iron…one more rep, bro!” A comical visual, I know. I suppose this idea came to me in realizing that the climbs I’m most interested in doing these days don’t simply require, say, more finger strength, or better endurance, or a little more dynamic power in my legs, etc. The climbs I’m most interested in seem to require a whole new ‘April’ to achieve. I need to be a stronger human being overall to even have a chance. There you have it – rationale.
I did a little research, placed a (significant) order with Rogue for equipment, and by mid-March Paul and I found ourselves with two hands clenched around a barbell, asking the other “am I doing it right?” while said other watched a deadlift video on the iPad that had in big bold letters across it, ALWAYS CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL WHEN LEARNING A NEW LIFT…OR RISK INJURY! Um, yeah. To our defense, we’re rock climbers, remember! Who, like most in this sport, have been completely self-taught in every aspect.
No, we didn’t hurt ourselves. But we did smarten up really quick and decide to seek out someone who knew a little something about lifting more than one’s own bodyweight. Through a friend I got connected to Jerry Trubman at The Protocol, who basically specializes in making people wicked strong. Dang, what a goldmine I hit when finding this man. AND his facility is 8 minutes away from our house to boot!
Thinking we’d pay for our 4 private sessions with Jerry, learn how to lift all this fancy equipment we just bought, and then retreat back into our late-night-after-the-kids-are-in-bed-backyard-training sessions, I’m amazed myself to be reporting today, a full year later, that not only are we regulars in Jerry’s gym, but as of two weeks ago I am now a certified SMK Level 1 kettlebell instructor! Oh, and our climbing game is feeling really, really good too by the way. 😉
With the certification now behind me, it’s time to put this new muscle to use. I’m still shooting for that V9. Summer weekends will be spent up in Flagstaff. And as soon as temps cool it’s off to Hueco. And then we’ll be wrapping the year up with some more Yosemite. I’m in the process of starting up a strength and conditioning class specifically for climbers at The Protocol, which is exciting. And I also plan to go back to work in August when Ivan starts kindergarten. That’s the plan, man!
Typically the busier I am, the better my performance is in all aspects of life. Let’s hope this remains the case. And if not … well … nothin’ wrong with some new good-lookin’ muscle, haha. 😉
Training for the certification
Not how I would prefer to expend my energy while in The Valley, but the cert was a month away!
The Strength Matters (SMK) “swing test” during the 3-day certification
posted by arr
