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Post by sillygoose on Mar 15, 2017 3:40:26 GMT -7
I am experiencing a period where I am feeling that I am regressing. I am about 2 1/2 weeks into my power phase and I am not even close to the bouldering level I reached during my last cycle. During my current cycle I had a good strength phase where I hit PR on most grips, yet my power phase has thus far been a huge disappointment. I am using one of the same limit boulder problems as last cycle, and whereas I almost actually sent the limit boulder last cycle I am now finding some of the moves almost inconceivable to pull off. At one point I had to double check if I was using the wrong holds (I wasn't) as I couldn't understand how I pulled these moves off last time around. My strength feels fine and I can almost do pull ups off the same holds I was having difficulty holding on to last cycle, yet I can't seem to link moves. Anyone else experience this? How long into the power phase does it usually take to hit peak power? I am climbing every other day so I am considering maybe taking 3-4 rest days. Any other suggestions?
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Post by Chris W on Mar 15, 2017 5:37:43 GMT -7
I've had that problem before. That's where the training logs are really helpful. Assuming you're not sick or injured and you're well rested and eating well, sometimes it just happens. I've found that I have ups and downs, but the overall theme is progression. Just hang in there, it will get better.
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Post by climbnkev on Mar 15, 2017 6:31:52 GMT -7
I personally can't limit boulder every other day, it takes me at least 2 days to fully recover. I tend to gauge my readyness by a hard problem during my WBL. When it feels easy I know I am ready to crank, when it's hard I usually switch the plan to a power bouldering or campus/HB session. It's usually not a weakness feeling like you might feel during a strength phase, so much as a shaky/not dialed in feeling that keys me into not being ready. Try adding an extra rest day between sessions.
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mclay
Junior Member
Posts: 96
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Post by mclay on Mar 15, 2017 8:03:00 GMT -7
I would echo what Chris said. A few weeks ago I posted almost the same thing you posted regarding getting through an awesome Strength phase to only feel like I hit a wall in the Power phase. For me the main things I was able to identify, with hindsight, were all down to major changes in routine, diet, rest...so check there first if there is a big difference in any of these areas from the last time you crushed your Power cycle.
For me I had to take a rest period and re-start my macrocycle; I've just got my groove back in the past few days. I can't explain it all, but it happens.
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Post by sillygoose on Mar 15, 2017 9:32:12 GMT -7
Thanks for the input. So I should cut my losses and start over? Would kinda screw with my plans as far as the outdoor season goes but I guess I could go for a shortened strenght cycle
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Post by daustin on Mar 15, 2017 10:49:32 GMT -7
Thanks for the input. So I should cut my losses and start over? Would kinda screw with my plans as far as the outdoor season goes but I guess I could go for a shortened strenght cycle I wouldn't re-start if you have concrete outdoor season plans. Just try to take the lessons learned into your next season, and maybe consider looking for outdoor routes that aren't super power intensive. As others have mentioned, I typically need 2 days in between power workouts. Sometimes I'll do a couple workouts with only 1 day of rest, but that's the exception not the norm. Has anything else been different for you this cycle vs. last cycle? The first thing I'd look at is sleep & stress -- are you coming into your power workouts this cycle feeling as well-rested and mentally engaged as last year? This can make a huge difference for me; if I'm stressed at work I tend to not sleep as well and feel more fatigued during workouts. This can be especially tough for power where you really need to summon maximum engagement.
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Post by Chris W on Mar 15, 2017 16:16:45 GMT -7
Thanks for the input. So I should cut my losses and start over? Would kinda screw with my plans as far as the outdoor season goes but I guess I could go for a shortened strenght cycle I wouldn't start over. I would keep going if you already have your season planned. Trust in the training and hard work you have already put in, keep working hard, be sure to eat well, sleep well and rest well. Finish your power phase, transition into PE and Performance, and enjoy your outdoor season. Channel your inner Arno Ilgner. It's all about learning.
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Post by sillygoose on Mar 16, 2017 1:00:09 GMT -7
Nothing really stands out in terms of lack of sleep and stress and the like. I suspect over training might be a factor but aside from the fact that I've been bouldering every other day, I've been feeling pretty fresh. I guess I was hoping for an inspirational story of someone magically hitting new highs after a couple of extra rest days but it seems like I have to accept that this probably won't be my best season.
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Post by Chris W on Mar 16, 2017 2:02:45 GMT -7
Not necessarily. I've had great seasons where either my power phase or strength phase weren't good [on paper]. Wait until the season is over before you pass judgment. You should also consider how you define success, failure, good and bad. Check out The Rock Warrior's Way
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Post by jwills on Mar 16, 2017 2:03:33 GMT -7
Similar to what everyone else has said... i've experienced the same thing in the past. How long have you been climbing for? I ask as this might not be a strength/power issue but rather an issue with having not bouldered consistently in some time and losing the skills that you had previously accrued. In the event you haven't been climbing that long you may want to think about next cycle/season working more movement training into the strength phase so that come limit bouldering time you're not having to relearn climbing movements. I've definitely done this and have noted that it has significantly improved my power phase climbing level.
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Post by sillygoose on Mar 16, 2017 4:05:34 GMT -7
Not necessarily. I've had great seasons where either my power phase or strength phase weren't good [on paper]. Wait until the season is over before you pass judgment. You should also consider how you define success, failure, good and bad. Check out The Rock Warrior's Way I define success in terms of cold hard numbers! I've read The Rock Warriors Way but perhaps it is time for a recap.
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Post by sillygoose on Mar 16, 2017 4:12:40 GMT -7
Similar to what everyone else has said... i've experienced the same thing in the past. How long have you been climbing for? I ask as this might not be a strength/power issue but rather an issue with having not bouldered consistently in some time and losing the skills that you had previously accrued. In the event you haven't been climbing that long you may want to think about next cycle/season working more movement training into the strength phase so that come limit bouldering time you're not having to relearn climbing movements. I've definitely done this and have noted that it has significantly improved my power phase climbing level. I've been climbing for 6+ years and training seriously for about 2 years. My technical skills are far from perfect, and I for sure have a lot to learn. I actually believe technique to be one of my major weaknesses. However I definitely feel like it is power/contact strength and not technical proficiency holding me back on this particular boulder problem.
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