Ten to One

Well, I have some satisfying aches from trying hard at CWIF. The qualifiers were fun but sustained with no blocs really being 'given'. I didn't have a clue how I was climbing and dropped some things I thought I should be able to get. It was good to climb with the other GB Girlies (and Nick) as we all climb quite differently and worked off each other. I felt like my endurance was seeing me through, but I was clearly starting to flag by 14:30 having started at 09.30.

I qualified in 12th place to join the 16 semi-finalists, hurrah; four Brits, the rest from mainland Europe. I went home for a refuel and a rest on the sofa for an hour before going into isolation, which made me feel much better.

The semis were frustrating for me. I felt like I was being a muppet on bloc 1 and flailed around not catching a jump on bloc 2 (maybe as I was stretching out before trying to jump). I was determined to rise above my nil points on bloc 3 and to my joy I was faced with a steep crimpy bloc. I powered through to the bonus, lost my feet, thought that's ok I can campus this move and slipped off - and that was about that. I think I went pop at that point, not managing to get back to the bonus. I'm pretty sure I could do the last bloc, jump and all, but sadly the 5mins rest was not enough to get me through a roof section without getting leaden arms.

I came 10th overall, which I'm pleased with. If I continue to work my power endurance and a couple of other weaker points, maybe I can get to number one!!

CWIF

I entered the Climbing Works International Festival yesterday. It took me a while to get going on the 30 qualifier problems, but after a wobbly start I managed to crank up 195 points putting me in 6th position for the semi-final (16 places).

Arghh, I slipped off the first bloc with a greasy hold. After a brush I got it ok, but was frustrated not to have flashed it. I missed the bonus on the second bloc by a whisker, then completely misread the 3rd. After wasting lots of energy I worked it out and got the bonus.

Hurrah, the 4th bloc was just my cup of tea and I felt like I had recovered well. On the first go I got to within a couple of moves of the top, but my fingers slipped as I went to move up. After a short rest I thought 'this time', but I had hit the wall and didn't have enough left to finish the job :-(

I finished 9th. Vera from the Dutch team won, with Michaela and Audrey 2nd and 3rd.