The boulder competition was set up allowing all climbers 2.5 hours to climb as many problems as they wanted, with scores calculated by tallying the top five point value climbs completed. This type of format means that strategy is a large component in garnering a high score. Additionally, on-site completion (climbing a problem bottom to top on the first try) was used as a tie-breaker. I am sure I made some mistakes, not warming up adequately, burning out on some big problems that I never actually completed, etc. Next time I try a competition, I will certainly plot a better path to high points. But I suppose most of figuring things out is by actually doing competitions.
I ended up third in the women's division, which was good, although it was a very distant third. Both of the women above me in the standings climb really, really hard, so next time I will have to try to bridge that gap a little bit. Climbs completed were roughly: v6, v4/5, v4, v4 & v3/4, not bad for my first try. The competition also provided a fun social event, talking to lots of other climbers, and particularly seeing guest climber Chris Lindner climb some incredibly difficult problems-- and making it look easy.
This morning I reluctantly rolled out of bed and headed over to Kincaid for the sprint relay, always a fun day of racing. The first race of the day was the women's relay, which I skied with Judy from work. Judy is one fit lady, she is old enough to be my mom and she still gets after it on a regular basis. We started strong, but faded out and finished in sixth. My lungs were burning and my arms felt limp and dead after the first race. I was starting to question my sanity deciding to race twice. I tried to regain my composure while the coed race started. Erik went first and tagged off to me in a strong position. I maintained our slot and Erik came around to tag for the final leg a few seconds out of the lead in a solid second place. Somehow my lungs seemed to have recovered by the last leg, and I was able to make an attack on the climb over the tunnel. As I came down the final hill, I slingshotted around Kristy (who was leading) and kicked it in to the finish. Not too shabby-- but still time to do a little more training. Now I have the racing hack and I am feeling sore, but stoked for the winter!
Crusing on the first lap of the women's relay
Tag after the first leg of the coed relay
