Back to some fingerboard training

Naomi training on the Rock Rings

It's been a fun few weeks since settling into Queenstown. Some temp work. Some cycling. Some running. Checking out the local crags. And some training on the side. It's amazing how much I started to realize how much I enjoy the training - not purely for the training but the focus that comes with it, and the obvious gains that are seen when I return climbing. I was feeling really sluggish in the past few months while traveling - mainly from not climbing - and finding that I just couldn't climb as well as I wanted. Some of it was rustyness (no, that's not a word :) and some was just losing form. Training articles seem to guesstimate that you lose training form after 3-4 weeks of not doing anything, and it'll take at least that to get most of it back. I found that just climbing wasn't working.....
So, a quick search online and I came across Stoney Creek and ordered a set of Rock Rings from Metolius. O.k., so it's not as good as a bouldering wall, or a full fingerboard for that matter, but I have to say they've been holding up to the job. Finger strength is returning, and some shoulder power is showing a semblance of re-appearing. It's a slow road back but I can't complain and I'm not feeling achy from it which is important too.
The other big benefit I have right now which has I've never experienced. The view from our balcony and house. Yes, that is the view below from the sitting room. I feel blessed to live in a location like this - it sure helps with getting up and swinging out of some rings!!


I've found a few projects in the Queenstown area so I'll hopefully get a blast on them in the next few weeks. Stay tuned......

p.s. do people want a list of training items I've found worked on the Rock Rings?
p.s also, my writing is very rusty right now. I'll make sure to make it improves as the weeks go on. It's good to be back writing regularly....

Fun sports

New Zealand is the land of the triathlon from what I can see. Everyone seems to have done one, or is training one for. So, as I consider my first ever (gulp!), I've been out on the bike supporting Naomi's first ever. Doing three sports in a row is hard, actually it's barmy but who am I to say anything so game on!!!

One of the compliments to New Zealand's tourist set-up though is that they really look after you when it comes to facilities. Whereas pretty much everywhere else I've ever visited rents out bikes, they're usually local-brand and pretty basic - actually very basic. Not so here! Instead I've been riding around on ex-demonstration bike frames with brand new top-of-the-line components - this fantastic Jamis road-bike. I thought I was doing well until Naomi turned up on a all-carbon-fiber racer. They rent out $3000+ road-bikes for $50 a day - ridiculous but neither of us are complaining.

Of course, just because the bikes are worth a fortune doesn't mean that they're still not susceptible to the same problems that all bikes can have. Yes, that is me fixing a puncture on the side of the road...... :)

The coolest adult, oops kids, toyhouse ever!

Every once in a while you visit something genuinely fun and unexpected! Saturday was one of those, as part of a visit to my old location of Wanaka from 2006 to show Naomi around. We'd thrown around the idea of go for a walk, drink some coffee and check out Puzzle World for some fun!

What can I say, it's a kids adventure playground, and yet it was such a laugh. Displaying some of the image tricks that were used in Lord of the Rings to make the Hobbits look tiny (and I'm sure a similar trick is used in Harry Potter's movies), you can see below the trickery. Yes, we're both a similar distance from the camera - it's how the room is shaped that makes it look weird :)


The highlight has got to be the full-size maze :) About 30mins to an hour in length, if you ever wanted a place to lose the family/kids/friends for a while, this is it :)

Some inspiring footage from an old friend

Everyone once in a while, you see a video that just makes you laugh. Courtesy of my old buddy, Belgian Sean as we all know him in Ireland, is currently off doing hard ascents in Patagonia. It's all being reported on UKClimbing here if you want the main details, but this is one of the videos that he's posted himself. Brilliant to see how you can be living life to the max!



The guys main blog can be found here at www.Expedition.be

Cool clip

Saw this cool clip on Sonnie Trotter's blog and I really liked the opening intro on it. Check it out.

The primary video is a short interview with Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia clothing. Nice to hear his passion on activity and life!