External Expectations, Internal Validation

 

I feel fulfillment in the midst of a lot going on outside of my immediate agency externally. If I were to play the "metrics game" and fully succumb to psychosoma(n)tics I'd give up right now lol; somehow though yesterday, with two (2) 1.5 hr REM naps in past 24hrs, I managed muscle up on rings (see video), two 7Bs and a 7A+ flash on TB1. Mood follows Action.

I'm in a good place intuition wise. I'm proud of this. Going into session, I knew I didn't feel great; snappiness wasn't there, felt achey and sensitive musculosketal and nervous system, I felt trace fogginess...

 I knew it wasn't going to be limit session and I was okay with that. In giving myself permission to not perform, I inadvertently opened that possibility.

I was patient, non attached to any eventuality, even ending session and packing out. 

Expectations are high right now externally. What further climbs am I capable of with time left before TB1 wall comes down? Will I maintain fitness level given demands of parenting ? Can I push myself given work demands increasing and sleep constraints? Is it possible I improve my dedication to being a good partner, father, and climber or does one always need to be sacrificed?

Answer is Yes. I am capable of future climbs on the TB1 ... will it be PRISM, NEW FREEZER, BENCH 1, LOW CRAB DIET, JEPH LOEB, MAJOR INTERRUPTOR, LUCIFER, HYPOTHENAR, LIONESS etc.,  who cares... time will tell. 

I will arrive at entire process rather than contort my convictions and sense of completion on mere outcome

If the joy I permit myself just with what I've climbed (past tense), do I really enjoy the climbing (present tense)? Carrying this internal logic to next external questions: fitness ebbs and flows, enjoy it. Yes I will experience changes given demands of parenting... 

whatever level I'm at, I will  meet it (not my undoing)        7 RPE is 7 RPE

Becoming a newborn parent again is a rare opportunity, being a supportive partner and pushing oneself is too. We each have one (1) precious temple and life to share build and explore. I view more and more chapters of gratitude to focus on and spheres of entheos, influence rather than sacrifices, sullen sadness.

Choose radness.

N¹M

+1440 parlay to -280 moneyline

 

 I’ve been wrestling my attachment to ambitions (rather than pebbles as of late). Going to focus less on huge “parlays” and start to lock in “moneylines.” The drive is there to have like five (5) outdoor projects (see earlier posts lol) simultaneously but what isn’t is the tactics and execution windows to see it to completion. 

Frequently, climbing is a game of resource management. Skin, limbic friction, stress/hormone cascades, weather windows, fitness peaks (and valleys), time/responsibilities, etc. With this is in mind, I’m minding better; superior visualization/proprioception drills off wall, warm up/cool down/recovery protocols,  allocation of time,  nutrition, attitude with what really matters. 

Couple hard facts:

TB1 is being replaced at gym next year (what left on it do I really want  ✅ done done?)

I got outdoors once this fall because of family obligations (not enough time to reacclimatize and feasibly do multiple projects)…one (1) feasibly  -280 odds I reckon  

Keeping training time in gym 💯… which is dope

With this in mind,

1. fewer lines to project at one time on TB1 resting in between goes, execution on projects and flash/fast sends will be of significance with time remaining on that board

2. Outdoors will be 1 line/area at a time with keen eye on tactics going into winter’25/spring ‘26 

3. gotta get that rings muscle up on film (surprised myself and busted one out again yesterday ;) 

NM

“Pro is ability. Professional is reliability”

 Climbing is a resource management game

1st 100 V point day

eying final problem to tally

 Flying

6b+/V4 ★★★@40° ⚡️

ZELDA.WAV

6b+/V4 ★★★@40° ⚡️

Free Smoke

6b+/V4 ★★★@40° 

Imagine the Possibilities

6b+/V4 ★★★@40°

Baked Sweet Potato

6b+/V4 V4 ★★★@40° ⚡️

crimpin is easy

6b+/V4 ★★★@40°

Persist 

7a/V6 ★★★@40°⚡️

Everything Bagel 

7b/V8 ★★★@40°⚡️

o my can lie

7b+/V8 ★★★@40°

Slip Slidin Away

7a+/V7 ★★★@40°⚡️

Rain or Shine

7a+/V7 ★★★@40°

Arkaines Valor

7a+/V7 ★★★@40°⚡️

Blackout Lite

7a+/V7 ★★★@40° ⚡️

Buttercling

7a+/V7 ★★★@40°

Egg Whites

7a/V6 ★★★@40°⚡️

bumpiddy-bump

6c+/V5 ★★★@40°⚡️

NKJ625

6c+/V5 ★★★@40°

A Punters Delight

7a+/V7 ★★★@45°

 https://youtube.com/shorts/33rFB87DK-c?si=Gs6PC6gygQoyiS_P

state of exhaustion blended with fulfillment

closer still on “Jeph Loeb” V11

 

 

TB1 ⚡︎ Milestone: V9

Grit = Passion + perseverance. I got that. Whatever else going on, that keeps giving at least and I'm thankful. I do my best to give back my best effort. Sometimes, I'm beating my head against a brick and feel like I'm getting buried, but really, in actuality I'm growing from a seed that was planted and that brick beating is actually obstacles inescapably bashing and shattering against me.

 I shattered through a new one today: my first 7C/V9 flash on a confirmed classic on the TB1. All in all nbd, but I felt I was close for awhile, and it's nice to have validation of that intuition. It's maddening sometimes to feel expectations blurred with gut feelings and discerning which is ego can be tough. I literally failed at everything else in session, but had a glimpse of execution without rehearsal long enough to become "Always Forever" (name of song) ... I thought it paired rather nicely with name of boulder problem "Time after Time." 

I have a mixture of big feelings at the moment, but remain in gratitude and mindful of this moment. Although there's some perplexity, there's also perspicacity; if I can flash V9, I can climb harder than that. Time to build a bigger pyramid and start working more 9s and harder. The trickier part is feeling inside like I deserve the goals I set for myself and building the belief 

m a n i f e s t

Nicholas

 

Benchmark for V7 at 45°

 

Testpieces @ the 7th grade

DRIVE BY TRUCKERS 7A++ @ 40° on TB1

WARNING: the following is a ton of gradespeak which is subjective and contrived... ultimately you can either do a climb and its requisite moves on requisite holds (easily or with great difficulty), or you cannot (nearly or not even close). 

Hyperthenar & Drive By Truckers are the penultimate testpieces of 7A+ @ 40° on the TB1

Although graded the same, I would add two ++ for Drive By Truckers and +++ for Hyper"the Gnar." each + sign adding a hypothetical still appropriate grade. Any climb graded the same with above three  +'s it's not that grade in my opinion. An example is Lioness (deserves to be a classic along with Drive By Truckers) which I will personallyu upgrade when I send it to V9++ (i.e. it would be fair at 10 or even a soft 11), ...which is equivalent to a V7++++ I guess.  I recognize there is flaw with this thinking eg V7+++ would be somewhat similar in feel of difficulty/complexity to V9+,  and yes... the entire grading thing is flawed if you ask me, but we still do it. I also double down on Hyperthenar feeling akin to a V9+ and Lioness feeling as difficult as some 11s I've worked.

I literally wouldn't argue with someone if they graded Drive By Truckers V9 or Hyperthenar V10. My argument for Lioness is: a. lack of ascents b. I've put more attempts into that climb (and Hyperthenar) than any of the double digit climbs I've sent thus far (when I send Prism V10 however this will blow them both out the water). It is important to note that Lioness and Prism will be decided on assuming my beta methods are most the efficient; it means nothing to put 100 goes in on something if beta/method wasn't correct until five (5) goes before send. I feel very confident this isn't the case with either...there is one hold sequence I have left on Lioness, I've done all the moves on Prism (with several methods).

Furthermore, I feel confident that I am a V7 climber. V8s are feeling more and more RPE 7-8, and I feel near to flashing V9s. I'm more reluctant to determine what is benchmark and the bonafide testpieces of double digits just yet, seeing as I've climbed only a handful. 

to start adding +'s and modifications to grades, a climber needs to have an over standing of movement/sequencing/hold types/tactics at grades in question

The conundrum I still wrestle with long after the pebble ; ) is, at what point does fitness and experience level (the subjective ease or difficulty of doing something) skew the reasoning processes of concluding a grade on a scale. 

Regardless, I'm proud of this send of Drive By Truckers... ultimately I didn't give up on it, I threw down on it and I got stronger. Testpieces are a "final exam" of execution ; a proven-ness one brings with them in who they become; further scaling competence and measured confidence to what's next... in my case,, sessions on Hyperthenar, Lioness, and Prism.

NM

 

Third V10 on TB1

 

 

“Fall Season” 2025

Well, …I got outside once. The reality is setting in that going outside climbing is not feasible given how close we are as a family to arrival of our son Gabriel; mixture of strong big feelings fasho. Outdoor climbing puts me on average a minimum of 1 hr away response time is rationale. Giving thanks for fitness level at present, not being limited by injury at least, and most of all for the blessing of our healthy happy growing family!

The rock will be there.

Til then , 

 

 

Beast maker 2000 ™ middle edge PR

 

 RPE 8 

2o25 faLL

Silent But Deadly 7B+/7C 

Aurora 7A+

Aloha Sit 8A

beat 8a.nu 

pr of 8k pts 

(2 V9s, 3 V8s, 5 V7s)

Boss Hog 7C+

Moby Dick 7C+

Prelude to Crimps 7C+

Chaos Roof 7C R

Pineapple Express 7C R

min 1 R block

Blackbird 7B

Swordless Samuari 7B

Honey Crisp 7A+ R

Adventure Time 7A+

Purple People Eaters 7A

Midnight Sun 7C+

explore new area

Teen Wolf 7B+

The General 7B+

Truck Driver Right 7C

Blue Crab 6C+

Next Gen Sit 7B

Pedal 7C+

House of Cards 7C+ R

 

Warm Up Sequelae

Mobility → gentle fluidity of movement; synovial fluid to joints, ROM, "greasing the gears"

Momentum → raising HR/temperature, easy movement/big holds, warm muscles

Fingers → recruitment process, gradual loading from feet on floor to jugs to crimps

Power →fast twitch neuromuscular potentiation explosive coordination, "wired firing together"

 
Don't Always Try to Perform:

Have a purpose for each session that isn't always about beating your personal best. Sometimes training through fatigue or focusing on specific goals is productive.

Arcing and Low Aerobic Work:

Incorporate easy climbing (arcing) to build aerobic endurance, which helps with recovery on holds and between attempts, especially important for sport climbing.

Get the Little Things Right:

Pay attention to hydration, chalk type, and appropriate clothing layers to improve comfort and performance.

Body Tension:

Focus on driving through your feet and maintaining body tension, not just core strength, to improve efficiency and control near your limit.

Track Your Progress:

Keep a training log or diary to monitor long-term progress, which helps maintain confidence and see improvements beyond short-term fluctuations.\

Train the Boring Things:

Don't neglect shoulder stability and flexibility, as these can make a big difference in climbing performance and injury prevention.

Break Down Bigger Goals:

Divide big goals into smaller, manageable chunks to stay motivated and track progress more easily.

Maintain Training During Performance Phases:

Continue some training during peak climbing seasons to avoid burnout and maintain top-end fitness.

Go to the Wall with a Plan:

Have a clear goal or structure for each session to stay focused and motivated, whether it's trying a set number of problems or focusing on project attempts.

Climb Different Styles:

Climbing a variety of styles and routes helps you learn new techniques, balance your strengths and weaknesses, and improve longevity as a climber.

source: lattice ™ , jen wood

 

 

 

 

 

exercises for P O W E R

source: Charlie Schreiber, CSCS

Standardized Board Tips

• Anchor Hand: When making a big move, focus on squeezing and controlling your anchor hand (the bottom hand) rather than just the hold you're reaching for
• Utilize "cheating" holds (better feet, bump holds) to work on specific parts of a climb
• Experiment with Arm Position: For anchor hands, experiment with pulling in (bent arm) or keeping your arm straight to see what works best for the individual move and your climbing style
• Tweeze: A "tweeze" is when you put both feet on a hold and squeeze it, which helps you push off and pull yourself into the wall, especially on steep climbs 
• Dig and Drive: You need to be able to dig with your feet and drive off them on almost all board climbs
• Wiggle Toe: Wiggling your toe on a hold helps you think about pressing your foot into the hold and ensures it's sticking
• Maintain Pressure: Don't forget about your foot as you start a move; keep pressure on your toe to prevent slips
• 2-5 minutes rest between attempts on limit moves, 3-6 attempts per session per project keeps motivation fresh

sources:  https://youtu.be/Axn-iYn8Z1o?si=s8JRTtJ6e2siqdEO

GALLADAH

 

 

 

cinematography rights: Alexandré Wing 

https://youtube.com/@awvisuals_?si=7XUV5QQeA0sizI4e

breakthrough in the studio

 

Finally connected first crux move on Aloha v10

Great day outdoors. Thank you Alex 👊🏽 

 Failure is not failure 

it’s an index of understanding 

i cursed tore my skin sore status post the frustration of uncertainty when will it go ? how will I know?  readiness cheapened by deservedness (entitlement) traps gift exchange expensive loss less as expectation evaporates ...

         experience

L 

lesson earned once more 

second language no need for translation

confidence born from respect of humility in movement 

F l o w

N1

 

sustained L hand DIP strain :/ on God knows what ,but fired first go of session a fun V8 Sidewinder2000 :)

 

 道

dyno method for crux 2

Quality session today. I managed couple new climbs on TB1 as warm up in gym (ideal when time permits) then drove to Aloha. I felt much better than last session (prior too cold, never felt engaged). I definitely thrive with warmer conditions. Steve and Alek's input helped (i.e L lower extremity engagement/turning knee in & catching L toe hook off start hold in set up). Getting better lift with hip apex timed precise and I think dyno method might be the way to go for crux 2. As for crux 1, holds are bigger and throw is closer than its felt... i can climb this

3.12.25 | 58°F 28% 

.

NM

 

C R E A T I N E. [ It works ]

For a myraid of reasons, I had been reluctant over the years to try creatine. I was aware of it even in high school kids were trying it and I was critically skeptical at best. Pushing into my 40s now, out of a concern for studies about muscle wasting as an indicator of aging and the emphasis that I’ve began to place on strength training I decided to finally pull the trigger and try it. Less than 2months in and I’m thankful I did

Supplementing with 3 to 5 grams of creatine daily has been shown to: 

• Increase muscular strength-endurance & power 
• Accelerate recovery between bouts of intense exercise 
• Promote gains in lean muscle mass
• Improve sports performance involving short- to moderate-duration bursts of high-intensity exertion 
• Enhance cognition, speed of information processing, and memory, especially in times of metabolic stress, sleep deprivation, and with aging.

link:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0068/6751/7493/files/PhysiVantage_Creatine_Users_Guide.pdf?v=1732456256

source: PhysiVantage ™ 

Remember your Campus sessions

electrolyte fundamentals

 

source: primalhydration ™ 

https://lloydspharmacy.ie/blogs/vitamins-supplements/what-minerals-do-our-bodies-need-and-why

optimal nutrition performance windows

30-60 minutes before you climb, eat foods that contain quick digesting carbohydrates. Foods like:

1 oz. pretzels 

1 mini-bagel

1 piece of fruit—apples, bananas, oranges 

 (banana = 30min s/p peak energy)

¼ c dried fruit

8 oz. sports drink 

2 sheets graham crackers

8 oz. chocolate milk

1 packet sports gels (like Gu) 

1 packet sports gummies and chews        

 

Two to four hours before you climb, your body has some time to digest food. This means you can add a little protein, fat, and fiber, such as:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chocolate milk or protein shake

Oatmeal with milk or almond milk, bananas, and walnuts

Tuna wrap with cheese and a side of fruit and yogurt

Fruit smoothie and a protein bar

Trail mix and an apple

Nut butter pouches

String cheese

Jerky

Keep in mind, aim for hydration (e.g. water + electrolytes + splash of tart cherry juice), branch chain amino acids, and complex carbohydrates within 30min-60min post workout to begin recovery/repair/rebuild process. A full meal for individual weighing 70 kilograms (154 pounds), the maximum amount of protein that can be effectively utilized for muscle protein synthesis per meal would be around 17.5 to 28 grams of protein. 0.25g/kg-0.4g/kg bodyweight ; aim for 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg (e.g. 112-154g) daily total for those engaged in regular resistance training

source: Outside ™ 

The “better” I get…the less I’m sure

 

 where hips go … body follows

Acceptance : Commitment

 

 My primary focus right now is on taking care of my body and pushing the needle where i can

 

This is the level I feel at “V9c”  … to employ a different spin on the insignia designating a classic of the Tension Board. I feel good about where I’m starting 2025. 

To reach through V9+ to double digits, I need a plan; something a bit perplexing given the sea of options, varying veracities of data, and an ever more minuscule chunk of the 168 hrs in a week to deal. 4% to be exact…I’ve calculated. 

With training time of 6hrs per week as a constant what goals and requisite plan can I make happen ?… time to imagine