EP 162: Fundamentals — How to Structure Your Climbing Year

The Nugget Climbing Podcast

Fundamentals (Part 6 of 6) — In this episode, Jesse and I dive into how to structure your climbing year. We talk about the circumstances that led to some of our best years in climbing, the importance of having a plan and taking notes, why focus tends to produce excellence, how to build from one phase to the next, and making sure your training supports your climbing. Happy planning!

Listen to more Fundamentals episodes!

thenuggetclimbing.com/fundamentals

Jesse’s Original Episode:

EP 127: Jesse Firestone

Tom Randall's Follow-Up:

Follow-Up: Tom Randall

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Show Notes:

thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/fundamentals-part-6

Nuggets:

(00:00:00) – Intro

(00:02:55) – Sending my first three V11s in 2021, why 2022 was less successful than 2021, and "focus tends to produce excellence"

(00:09:56) – Why 2022 was a great year for Jesse, and flashing Free Willie V10 in Hueco Tanks

(00:11:56) – Jesse’s new philosophy, and realization that he will never try everything on his list

(00:13:37) – Steven’s Tip #1: Write out a rough plan for your year

(00:16:31) – Jesse’s Tip #1: Map out the major phases for your year

(00:17:16) – Steven’s Tip #2: Reflect and take notes on your previous year

(00:20:01) – Jesse’s Tip #2: Keep a daily journal

(00:21:17) – Bonus Tip: Celebrate your successes, and write down your top 10 climbing experiences at the end of each year

(00:22:14) – What Jesse includes in his daily journal, and reviewing once a season

(00:24:21) – My preferred journaling method, and the +/- system

(00:26:43) – Jesse’s Google Keep beta

(00:28:05) – Steven’s Tip #3: Give yourself time to transition between disciplines

(00:34:36) – Jesse’s Tip #3: Write down three things that you want to work on to be prepared for each phase

(00:40:05) – Jesse’s Tip #4: Your training should support your climbing (put the climbing first)

(00:43:27) – Steven’s Tip #4: If you want to hit a peak performance, set aside three months to build toward that goal

(00:44:34) – Steven’s Tip #5: Listen to my Follow-Up with Tom Randall on how to program your training

(00:45:23) – Jesse’s Pitfall #1: Just winging it

(00:45:43) – Steven’s Pitfall #1: Not having a plan

(00:47:21) – Jesse’s Pitfall #2: Not rolling with the punches

(00:48:28) – Steven’s Pitfall #2: Not taking notes (or not summarizing your notes in a way that is actually useful)

(00:49:22) – Jesse’s Pitfall #3: Not taking a rest phase

(00:52:14) – Bonus Tip: If you want to keep a session short, make a plan for right after the session

(00:53:55) – Steven’s Pitfall #3: Bouncing around too often with disciplines, styles, rock types, etc.

(00:55:24) – Jesse’s Pitfall #4: Putting all of your time, and energy, and using all of the good conditions for one limit thing (throw yourself a bone every once in a while!)

(00:57:12) – The progression zone

(00:58:04) – Steven’s Top Tip: Make a plan and take notes, and listen to my Follow-Up with Tom Randall

(00:58:47) – Jesse’s Top Tip: Focus on the stuff that matters: no more than three

(00:59:22) – Jesse’s two goals for 2022

(01:00:13) – Let us know if you want a season 2!