2014, how quick has it gone! It's been year of pretty amazing firsts, red pointing my first 7c biological need at Kilnsey, competing in the first ever deep water solo competition in the UK at Exeter, and wining my last ever YCS.
This year the
first round of the Junior Lead Cup for 2015 was held at Awesome Walls, Sheffield in late November (previously called Open
youth). The day, for me went well, although I didn’t actually reach the top of
any of my routes I felt like I was fully involved, enjoying them, climbing them
like I would like to, not letting the competition nerves throw me of course.
I qualified into
finals in 3rd, to Molly and Tara. The route was long, working its
way round the right of the comp wall. I felt strong as I started climbing, with
what felt like good technique, climbing efficiently. However not even half way
I went wrong handed , realised, reversed, then did it again, got my hand on the
next undercut then came flying down; I felt like I could have got some much
further but made a fundamental error. However this still finished me in 3rd (only
with the skin of my teeth. The judge missed my final move). To me a successful
day, I might not have got the highest I could but I enjoyed it. Personally I
felt my actual climbing went well, with my head in its right place.
The following
Sunday the Climbing Unit at Derby held the first boulder ‘youth cup’; catering amazingly for the number of competitors and the comp wall giving a great final to watch. However for me this day wasn't so successful... My strength was drained; months
of training had finally caught up with me. I managed 3 tops in 3 attempts in my
qualifiers (out of 8 climbs). This unsurprisingly did not see me through to the finals! Although
I knew, and accepted my peak was over I was still gutted; I love boulder
finals.
In the middle of
all this I had my grade 8 piano exam to fit in. Typical that all the stress
comes at once. It was, as an understatement, a hard time in the run up to it
all.
These youth cups
were also used as team trials for the GB team. I was hoping to get re-selected
for the last 2 years, however it didn’t happen. I am frustrated but recognize
that my climbing, although I feel like has developed still isn't at the right
standard to compete in an international field. And to me I feel like I'm only
at the start of a long journey, I know I have a long way to go but I’m psyched
to train and want to carry on competing internationally past juniors comps- I
love it, they can’t get rid of me yet!
So 2014 a
successful year, 4th in the senior category of the first deep water solo comp
at Exeter, 4th in the junior BLCC, 6th in the senior BLCC, 3rd in my first comp
in the junior category, managing hard redpoints outside and a merit in my grade
8 piano. Not too shabby!
I'm excited to
what next year will hold. And my main aim? Get stronger!
Have a good
Christmas X
No comments:
Post a Comment