Training Session- On or Off the rock?

[James]

Hi-

I'm really just looking for some affirmation here.  I'm able to get to my project after work at a local area and mini-traxion on it if I don't have a partner.  I have about a month to send this route and I am of the opinion that I need to get as many sessions in on it as possible, with appropriate rest of course.  So my question is, even though I am scheduled to do another couple power endurance workouts, should I just abandon them and get on the route?  I am prepared for some cold weather, as it is in sort of a gully and is shady.  Anyone have thoughts on this?

Also, I have never been a huge fan of the mini-traxion or TR solo method.  It just seems a little clunky to me.  Anyone have Mini-trax experience on a project? 

[MarkAnderson]

If you can get effective PE training through rope-soloing, I would probably do that to some extent, since that advantage of learning the route better probably outweighs the downsides of training on the route. I'm skeptical you can get effective PE training on a rope-solo rig, but I know lots of people swear by it so I could be wrong. Still, I would consider trying to get one day on plastic for every 2-3 outdoor sessions. Sometimes training on the route is just training your body to fail short of the chains (this could be for any number of reasons). It can help to do something a bit different to push your PE a bit further than peculiarities of your goal route allow. Another option may be to do a shorter session on rope solo, then head to the gym for a focused PE session. I've had good success with that when it's logistically practical.