Periodization

Periodization probably works really well for a lot of people, but I can't really work with it. I seem to prefer 'shortterm small succeses' above 'longterm big succeses'. Let's say 'I focus on my microcycle and don't think about a macrocycle'.
My lack of periodization is probably one of the reasons why I don't climb that hard (yet ;)). Although I must admit my approach towards climbing has changed in the last two years.
One of the issues with my approach is that I don't take enough rest (I hate restdays). Unfortunately this means that every now and again I'm run down. Which is exactly what happened the last two weeks.
Fortunately Andy knows when I'm run down and he is the only one who can make me take a restday. So, he 'made' me take two restdays back to back, which did the trick. My restdays payed of straight away, as I did Worldline first go when I pulled on it again on Sunday and it felt piss this time.
I might try a 'bit of periodization' after South-Africa, see where it gets me ;)).

Worldline (Queens)

Last couple of months

Every now and again I realise more than ever (if that is that actually possible), that I'm very lucky with the life I'm living. I think I would be quite jealous of my life if I wasn't me. Does that make sense? Not a lot of (Dutch) people have: quality rock within an hour drive from their house, handmade vegan climbing shoes, and enough spare time (and money) to be able to climb outside, open new climbing area's and climb abroad. Or at least I know I didn't had all of the above before I moved to England, but now I do.
I know I've not blogged for months, but that doesn't mean I've been sitting still: I've been climbing on the quality rock near our house, I've been climbing abroad and I have even helped opening a new area.

Andy on Specter in Bishop (California)

Check out my new Scarpa shoes (on a very odd and hardish problem in the Happies)

Me on a 7a(+) in the Happies (California)

Red Rocks, Las Vegas. A long long power endurence 7b(+) traverse

An awesome problem in the Red Rocks (8a from sitting, 7a+ from standing)

Andy powering through the moves on La Baleine (Font). Very impressive he could hold the slopers on such hot day.

Great arete in Font (so hot that day)

A pic of our weekly route setting @ Climb Newcastle

A great boulder problems @ Kyloe out (Prime Time SS, 7b+)

A powerfull roof @ Kyloe out (7a/+)

One of the harder problems on Blakely's Bloc, about 7b(+). Finished the last and hardest problem on
this blog (the right arete SS) 2 days ago

Fonz, being as gorgeous and girl-like as ever.

What a life :))

Last couple of weeks

A very nice problem at the Bowderstone (see old blog)

The last couple of weeks:

I’m still not sure why I don’t blog more regularly, but I don’t. I do think a lot of things that I would like to write about on my blog, but these thoughts never reach the internet. They stay in my head.
Fortunately I do take picture of moments that I would (potentially) like to have written about on my blog. And somehow pictures don’t seem go out of date as fast as words. So here are some shots that tell what I have been up to the last couple of weeks.

A day off work: out in Yorkshire with Porter, Smith and Andy

The weekend of the 5th of December I went back to Holland to celibrate 'Sinterklaas' with my brother, sister in law, sis and nieces. 'Sinterklaas' can be compared to Santa Claus, but than very different.

My dad and his partner came over the week after Sinterklaas. They honoustly sold 'Traditional Dutch Pantakes' in town

December counted a couple of 'party's': e.g. Sinterklaas, my sis her birthday, Andy's birthday, my mum's birthday and Climb Newcastle's Christmas dinner...

Every week a new cirquit is set at Climb Newcastle, so every now and again I help Andy and Chris with setting

But I am mainly involved with the coaching at Climb Newcastle. I take the kids sessions quite serious...

The weekend before Christmas two of my dearest Dutch friends visited me. It was great havind them around. Thanks again for the funky top fredje (see picture above).


Than there was Christmas.....

And the Christmas Holiday.....so we went to Yorkshire for an afternoon and...

The Bowderstone for a morning. Where Andy finished of the last bloc he had to do on the Bowderstone.

Unfortunatey I have not been able to climb a lot the last couple of weeks due to an infection in one of my toes. Tonight I'm taking my last antibiotic pill, let the training begin again....