World Cup 2010 Switzerland

Team GB is looking good kitted out by five finger thing with hoodies, soft cell jackets, t-shirts and comp vests.

We arrived at the Schwanen Pizzeria/Hotel damp from the drizzle to find nobody home. A friendly local helped us out and all was well (apart from the church bells next door chiming every 15mins 24/7!).

I was feeling overly calm when the qualis came around, having watched the lads in the morning. The lasses are typically first. Mina and me were in different start groups. I think I liked the look of my blocs more than hers which is lucky. I flashed the first 3 blocs, 2 of which everyone did. The 5th was a non-starter for me. The 4th was once again another 'so close'. I slipped switching feet for the last move and came 27th overall. If I'd latched the last hold I would have been in the semis. Grr. Next time.

We were fortunate to return home. The pilot (Captain Maverick apparently) was pleased to have got us home an hour before Manchester Airport was due to close because of ash. Awesome timing. I hope Jon got lucky too flying 3 hours later to London...

November Team Training

So we had a 4 day training residential. The first day was a real workout with circuit training - exercises included hands free, press-ups, pull-ups, dynos... 12 exercises in total, 3 sets. I think we all had aches to prove we had trained hard.

Then it was time for speed bouldering - 20 boulders of various difficulty. We were in pairs trying to flash the problems as quickly as possible and catch up the pair in front. Great fun.

I slept like a log and woke up achey. Maybe I should have gone for a run to flush out the toxins!
The 2nd day bought about this blog and a campus board/pull up bar workshop. I need to do more of this and get stronger...

Day 3 - Boulder Bash @ Craggy Island, Guildford. Mark Croxall set a fantastic boulders, technical. I flashed 12 of the 15 and won the female open bouldering. I was feeling really good but didn't enter the lead and speed as I'm going to compete in Brno next week and wanted to save my finger tips!

Day 4 - SIBL (Southern Indoor Bouldering League) Round 1 at Mile End, London. The Team climbed but didn't compete. The league was well attended. It was great to see so many people competing. Look out for the the further Rounds of SIBL and other climbing wall bouldering leagues. The BMC website has info on SIBL and links to climbing walls around the country.

Now it's rest/light exercise and carbs to prepare for the weekend in Brno, Czech Republic. My first international event... I can't wait.