Competition motivation
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| climber at Irish National Lead Comp 2010, Dingle, Ireland |
Climbing in general can be quite an isolating sport, basically just you and a belayer much of the time (and in theory, bouldering you can be solo). While this is part of the allure, i.e. it's not a team sport, it can also make it trickier for getting together as a community.
The IBL does this back in Ireland in many ways, similar competitions here in the UK likewise, and I always just imagined that these can be good if you're into competitions. But what I'd forgotten completely about is the positive energy that comes from watching other people pushing away and seeing each other's enthusiasm. I see a lot of this now that I'm lucky enough to have the Climbing Works a 5 minute walk from the house, but as a general incentive for training throughout the winter, there's really a lot to be said for the comps. And this isn't even for top-end climbers, but for those of all grades - you'll arrive at next summer after a dark and gloomy winter (1 degree here in Sheffield on Wednesday morning) actually stronger than you were last summer, setting you up for a fantastic summer.
I do a lot of training myself personally, I rarely struggle for motivation in that - I enjoy punishing myself, what can I say? :) - but I'm very bemused by the sheer energy and drive I've had since the comp. That's not just to get onto the fingerboard, or more to the wall, but it's given me good food for thought about where I've got simple tasks to fix. For me? I've got a bit of mental focus to sort out, I'm not sure why it happens but being back in work seems to kill my drive on routes. If I look at how I climbed this summer, I was much more unfit and weaker, but I was driven on routes. So for now, I'm attacking all routes and boulder problems I try as onsight, do-or-die attempts, to remind myself of the best way to climb :)
Since a lot of people who were at the comp read this blog, feeling psyched? learn anything about your climbing?
Interesting stuff - I'm the same, couldn't wait to get training again!
ReplyDeleteThe competition has left me so psyched for Font!!
I think that final route pushed me, and the atmosphere of the competition had me pulling off moves that I didn't know I was strong enough to do... It's amazing what 30 or so people shouting 'c'mon!!' will do for one's self belief!!
It certainly opened my eyes!!
More competitions please!!!!
like I said in the previous post, ye girls showed just how strong you really were on the day :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's the style of comp though that feeds motivation - the IBL is more of a social event, but doing only a few super-hard routes/problems really makes you focus. I really think there's a need for a super-final style bouldering comp (5 problems, as many goes as you like in 5-30 mins per problem.....)
nice post :)
Irish Bouldering Championships was great for that - again like the ILCC's, a final with 5 problems (all awesome and nails hard!)
ReplyDeleteAnd all the 'c'mons' of the ILCC's from a good crowd who were into their bouldering...
Nothing like it!!!
Couldn't agree more! I love the whole process, training for the comp, the atmosphere and energy of the event and being inspired to push myself by watching other climbers. Lets have more comps, more finals and watch Irish standards spiral!
ReplyDeleteEddie, you pretty much said what I wanted to say in three lines :)
ReplyDeleteAnd if you can't get any more comps in Ireland, there's also a place to stay in Sheffield.....
Can someone else organize one, so I can enter? : )
ReplyDeleteBetter question, Angela: why aren't the walls organising their own monthly/bi-monthly/etc comps for extra business and to promote more climbers? Seems like an obvious idea! Granted, there's not huge financial motivation in the short-term from it, but does it not make sense for them to promote the sport?
ReplyDeleteRocking the boat here ;)