These are photos of us in Talkeetna, Alaska last year. Most guide services require validation and review of all rescue skills prior to leaving for the expedition for safety and liability. Some types of climbers get insulted by it, but for us, no worries ... I think it was a fun activity to do together, we both believe that one can never practise rescue skills enough, and it was encouraging for us to demonstrate that we make a great team right before getting on the mountain :)
WOD? Check!
- 10 min AMRAP @ 5 rounds, 2 burpees
- 5 Burpees
- 10 Pull-ups
- 15 Power Wall Balls (14#)
Ok, Drywall may call these "AIDS workouts", but they're helping me HTFU ... and (although I love you, Jimmy, and Derek's programming too), Bryce's programming helps me (and many others) put up some damned good numbers. I didn't see the girls there doing 10lb weighted deadhangs with us when I visited you at your box. Just sayin'. :)
Deadlift and Squat practise? Check!
DL: 5x6 @ 60% (165#) ... Matt played coach and shook his head a lot (equivalent to Bryce rolling his eyes, I think). What started out as Intermediate 4×4 @ 79% ended up being what you see above ... I struggled with unbroken multiples... pick up the bar, short rest at top, deep breath, tap down, then explode back up at tempo as fluid movements. Apparently, I have no problem keeping good form with singles, but my back kept initiating poorly when trying to string multiples... regardless of the weight (I even had a hard time practising them at 80#!). I can “feel” when I get it right, but it’s not consistent. I guess this movement is a skill I need to work on - it’s frustrating because my body just won’t do what I tell it to do. Old dog, new tricks?
Fixed line ascent and knots? Check!
Matt and I got our expedition training plan settled. We’ve been working on keeping our technical skills solid and making adjustments because we’re going unsupported and alone. Luckily, ascending fixed lines and practising knots isn’t a skill we have to worry too much about. Although time consuming and can wear the body down, we just do them, check them off, and move on. Cody had fun barking at us while we climbed about 20ft up the tree.
3:1 rescue pulley system? Check!
Practised getting loaded sandbags out in the forest preserve. The heat was exhausting, but we managed. Some interesting lessons learned and adjustments to be made since it’s just us 2 and there won’t be a 3rd on our rope to help make setting up initial anchors easier ... we’re still working out how we can stabilise an anchors to hold 200lbs from a self-arrest position before attempting to set up the pulley system. It’s possible, but our rescue system is going to have to be adjusted.
Time for yummy dinner. Finally.
Keeping it paleo ... but I definitely need to get more calories in (averaging about 2700 per day). I start feeling weak, lethargic, and light-headed when I go more than 2 hours. I wonder if there’s something wrong with my metabolism...?
Long day. Given how behind we are on wedding stuff and the project proposals I’ve been bidding on during the week, I wish there were more hours in it for us to be more productive ... I would be happy with an even 30. We should speak with Mrs O’Hara about this.
