With some really good competition results under my belt in the UK, it was once more time for the international season.
The calendar did not look the most inviting with events in America, Canada, two in China and only one in Europe. I was pretty sure that I didn't want to do all the events but was tempted, due to indecision about which ones I fancied (if I was selected). I wanted to do a couple of events, but did not want to travel a long way. This was not possible.
I was selected to enter the long distance competitions and once again set off for North America. I was excited about competing, but felt exhausted from the travel. I'd experienced this before a little, but it was worse this time.
I felt ok in isolation for both competitions, but performed atrociously when it counted. It was not my overall results that really mattered to me the most (although being close to last was deflating). What mattered is that I did not climb anywhere near as well as I knew I could. I didn't manage to pull off moves that I knew that I was more than capable of. It's like I didn't turn up. Was my head letting me down, had the travelling taken it out of me, or a bit of both? The trip, on the whole, wasn't fun.
I returned to the UK and made the long overdue decision to stop competing internationally. The season was not over, but I did not want to do the last event in Munich. So this is an end of an era for me. Time to hang up my Senior GB Bouldering Team hat and head outside!!
I have spent a lot of time playing outside on the limestone this summer and autumn. I aim to see what I can achieve outside, but mainly just enjoy the wonderful thing that countryside is. The playground it provides.
I'm still going to compete, but at home were it's just a day out. I almost didn't enter the British Championships. I'm glad I did. I had a blast and managed to pull off a 4th place (3rd Brit) :-)
Since hanging up my competition hat I've also competed in the Red Goat Rampage (York, 1st), Big Flash (Highball Norwich, 2nd), Battle of Britain (Depot Leeds, 4th) and Blocbuster (Depot Nottingham, 2nd). The route setters keep on providing plenty of entertainment.
I've also tried my hand at setting at Boulder Brighton in the battle of the shoe brands with fellow Boreal team member Andy Turner, and helped out coaching and supporting events with Boreal and the GB Youth team. Exciting times with new talent coming through the ranks.
