ABS Nationals

February 12, 2011

      What a show! The consistently and incredibly challenging problems kept everyone guessing who was going to win! I was on the edge of my seat and it really did come down to the last problem for both men and women. Sean McColl needing the flash and getting it. Alex Puccio needing the send and nailing it on her flash attempt. As a spectator, I was gripped from start to finish. Congratulations winners and thanks for an amazing performance.

   Despite my own performance, I somehow managed to squeek into semi's. I can't hide that I was excited to give it another shot, but I was also a bit leary. I had a lot of stuff going on in my mind and getting shut down on these problems wasn't helping. Despite the better mental state of qualifiers, I seemed to let my nerves get the best of me in Semis. I was rushed, not breathing and seemingly scared to take the highball falls--such a fear cost me a top and my chance to make the top 10. Super lame. My finishing outcome was not what I had hoped for and I have to wonder how many more of these insane highball bouldering competitions my mind and my body can take.  

     With that said, it only emphasises how incredibly strong willed or fearless these competitors are!  No fear, just climb and take the huge falls. Good on you! I have some video footage I'll share once I can get my stuff uploaded.