Monkeying Around

I have just been for my second bouldering session with Sally from Moir Adventure Fitness, Sally specialises in fitness for climbers!  I love getting my teeth into a new activity, it really challenges the mind and the body in equal amounts, there is nothing I like more than being challenged to the point where its not too far out of my reach, just tantilisingly there .  .  .  .  you know just beyond your reach!

As I was walking to Avertical World, I was worried I had forgotten everything Sally had taught me at my previous session, I mean, I know she had taught me, ehhhh ‘stuff’ but do you think I could remember it?

We started off with the traverse that I had attempted the previous time, oh my god, I managed to get waaaay further than the previous session, this was exciting.  My movements flowed better and I definitely felt more confident putting weight into my feet.  At the first session, I had found it really difficult to get my head around putting all my weight onto what seemed like the smallest area possible on my foot, I mean we are practically talking about my big toe – how the hell is that meant to hold all of me?!  I kept trying to put more of my foot onto the holds but I just kept slipping off and Sally patiently and repeatedly explained I would just keep slipping off, that it was about using the correct areas of the shoe and using your toes.

We tried a few new routes, which I often had to get Sally to show me so that I could get an idea of what I was doing, as a newbie, I was finding it real hard to actually ‘see’ the path of movement.  But when Sally completed the problems she made it seem effortless, moving in such an effortless way, as we see in people who are incredibly confident in their abilities and movements.  She was able to twist and manoeuver next to the wall in a way that made it seem that she had loads of space, she had exactly the same as myself and I swear I was trying to constantly move in the tinest box EVER!

We returned to the problem I had gotten my teeth into last time and I really found it far easier, it wasn’t such a challenge mentally and most of all I got my foot onto that tiny little foot hold that seemed to escape me.  Damn I conquered it, I managed to hold in my excitement just, it was ready to burst out of my chest!

There is alot to be said for going away from a new activity, allowing your mind and body to take on board the lessons learnt in a non-pressurised way, I came today and really noticed a difference in my movement, my confidence and simply the amount of energy required to do exactly the same as the week before.  Sally was fantastically patient, explaining whenever necessary in a way that was easy to understand, not only that but she was able to re-inforce what she was saying in a practical way.  This made it real easy to connect what she was saying.

This made my day Sally, thank you!

      

                        

Muddyrace Scottish Training Day – Dundee

I was priviledged to run a muddyrace training day up here in bonny Scotland, we ran our event at the Scottish Assault Courses at the Errol Airfield, Dundee.  I was nervous and excited, despite having run my own OCR (Obstacle Race Training) training sessions with great feedback, the thought of having to run them for muddyrace, a very respected company in the OCR world and would be representing them.

The guys and gals began to appear and we had an amazing 22 folks taking part of all levels, beginners, intermediate through to those who have taken part in races, for example Tough Mudder and The Beast.  The warm-up, I believe set the tone for our sessions, based on dynamic movements and games.

The first period was used to cover key technique points for monkey bars, spear throws – those who have run a spartan race will know that feeling of having missed and subjected to the horrific burpee – press-ups, tyre flips/ throws and the first 2 walls.

Everyone did an amazing job of attacking the obstacles, trying to put in place the technique points covered, overcoming personal challenges and obstacles.  Each of the groups, despite not knowing everyone in their group came together to support, encourage and motivate to try to the best of their abilities.  There was definitely a buzz around the assault course!  We also found out that several of the group had soft hands which were affected by the monkey bars and the walls.  Key point:  ensure you practice leading up to an obstacle race, this will help harden your hands and prepare them for the activities approaching, alternatively, you may choose to wear gloves.  This is a personal choice and I have found that from one person to the next in races that each person needs to find what works for them.

The second batch of obstacles included the 8 foot wall, ditch jumps, the ‘slatted’ wall and the ‘mime wall’.  The 8 foot wall was overcome for the first time EVER for some of the guys – amazing achievement to do on your own.  Incredibly empowering feeling for women particularly, mainly from a perspective of this is commonly looked upon and ‘Ill never get over that’!  I heard many a shreek from across the field.  We also covered alot of the obstacle racing etiquette, I am proud to say I would stop and help anyone, I will always check on someone if it looks like they have stopped, just to ensure that there isn’t a problem.

We finished the day with a full run through, simply to make sure my guests were muddy, wet and smiling come the end!  All the things you would expect to be at the end of a day of obstacle racing!  🙂  A massive thank you must also be extended to Fraser for his assistance and Carole for her excellent photography skills.

Looking forward to my next training session at Scottish Assault Courses in Kilmarnock!  Hope to see you all there!      

Recharging the Batteries

After what can only be described as a few crazy ass weeks at work, my training had fallen by the wayside as I tried ot keep on top of the ‘important stuff’.  This leads to the question, actually what is the important stuff?  Living to work or working to live.  I am incredibly fortunate to be able to do a job I love, helping others and now working to bring events to Scotland but like anyone I can spend too much time working and nt enough time having fun, investing in myself.

So today, was absolutely magical!  My mate and I headed over to the Lomond hills for what turned out to be one of THE most blustery days ever! We headed up East Lomond hill, struggling to stand for the warm-up even.  It was straight into the hill from the car park, fairly tough going, we came upon a family who stated they nearly lost the wee ones on the top of the hill . . . eeek!

We hit the top in a burst of hail stones/ snow showers, sare ane!  Of course we had time to do the current trend of a selfie pic hahaha.  The views were epic, looking around, truly a beautiful location on a day you could stand up straight.  We headed down the other side, much steeper than the car park side.  I took off with Karen screaming in the back ground about falling on her arse  We made it in one piece!

We headed toward Craigmeade car park which sits between the two hills, this was a much flatter run, undulating.  Naturally, as an OCR racer, looking into the forest exhilirated me – I just cannot look at woods and trees in the same light!

As we crossed the car park, we agreed we were heading toward the waterfalls as we didnt have enough time to do the other hill and the waterfalls.  What a choice this was to be . . .

I didn’t really take in the fact that we were on a predominantly downhill section, it was great, free-rolling down.  Giving Karen some tips as we went about how to take on the down sections.  We found the amazing waterfalls, being in these surroundings, this is what brings me alive – THIS is why I wanted to begin running.  Why?

Because this is freedom, this is not running, its energy, beauty, amazing, to be surrounded by something larger!

Climbing amongst the hills, designing future training runs and opportunities, sooo exciting.  We stopped and took some pictures because it would be rude not to.  Karen did some climbing, grannies should know better eh?!

Now, we had to go back uphill, it was a tough first run but the aim is always keep moving, put one foot in front of the other.  The climb back up the east Lomond hill was brutal if I am being honest as a first run back into the fol.  As soon as I hit the top I could barely move, the wind was vicious.

What a fantastic way to bring it all back and remember why I train!  For my sanity, to de-stress, to feel alive again.

Get out there folks!