Climbing and Running

I have an interesting relationship with climbing. To begin, it is my profession. I'm not a professional climber, but I'm a routesetter by trade. My job is to make plastic rock climbs (simulations of the real deal). It's a very cool job, and in my current stage of life it allows me to pay the bills and also attend school.

Being a routesetter forces me to climb. I must maintain enough of a climbing "base" to be able to forerun the routes I put up (at least most of them). Being able to climb at work is convenient because it allows me to spend a lot of my free-time running, or cycling when I get the chance. 

Many of the setters I work with are strong climbers; very strong. In order to climb at an elite, or even high-caliber level, climbing must take priority over all other recreational activities. The same is true with all sports and hobbies. I have struggled with this reality for a few years. 

Typical day at work (ROCK'n & JAM'n) 

I want to be a strong climber. I also want to be a fast runner. Since I am not willing to choose between the two sports, I am neither. 

Which brings me to the focus of my rant.

During the last two seasons, I believe I discovered my niche sport, which is combining my two favorite passions: running and climbing.

Over the last 10 years or so I honed strong enough climbing and running abilities/skills so that I can now mix the two for what I would like to call fast alpine-style ascents of big mountains. The key to quick ascents is possessing a strong aerobic fitness level, and being comfortable on easier rock climbs. When ascending many of Colorado's 14ners, often the fastest routes (and sometimes the only routes) are up 4th, 5th, and beyond 5th class terrain. If an individual is able to move over these terrains with speed and confidence, then a day in the hills becomes much more convenient. This is important to me, because I don't have the luxury of time.  

I discovered that I can accomplish much more with my time now that I've started to train my body for speedy alpine ascents. Currently I can maintain my climbing fitness at work, and spend what extra time I have logging miles on the trail. Not a bad situation. 

I hope that this summer and fall I will be able to leverage the convenience of my current situation, and accomplish the lofty ascents I have in mind...