Karl with a K, On Climbing

Today I had a good friend come up and ask for my advice.

The question went something like this, “I want to be a better climber! Do I just need to climb more?”

The simple answer is….yes!

Being a better climber has many aspects to it:

strength to weight ratio, the physical side
technique
attitude towards hills (believing you ARE a climber)
visualization

These are a few things that can make or break your ability to get better, however I feel the top 2 are attitude and visualization.

If you tell yourself this is going to suck, then guess what? It’s going to suck. If you can’t see yourself dancing on those pedals, or if you tell yourself, “I’m not a climber”, then…

We can all work on technique. Counting pedal strokes on one leg, while the other leg hangs out resting is a great one. Many of you have heard me extol the virtues of “sharing the load” alternately pedaling with 80-90% effort on one leg and then the other. Another technique is to pull all the way through and around during the pedal stroke. Spread your toes out in your shoe, relax the shoulders away from your ears. Place your hands lightly on the tops of the bars, chest up, chin up, eyes UP! Enjoy the climb, and SEE yourself floating up the hills.

We will be climbing one of the favorites in the area (Old La Honda) this weekend and next. Between now and then this is my challenge to you….

Practice the visualization part by going to YouTube and pulling up any video from the climbing stages of the Tour De France or Giro d’Italia and really watch the riders climb. Mimic them in your minds eye when you are climbing, how they sit, how they stand, ALL of it. I do this all the time.

Embrace the hill! Climbing hills is not easy, but make it look that way in your mind. Look up the road where you want to be and not down at your feet, or your front wheel, where you already are.

We all need to PRACTICE the things we want to get better at, not just the things we are already good at.

To be a better climber you must climb.

With this said, I look forward to floating up the hills with all of you the next couple of weekends.

Kindest Regards,

Karl with a “K”

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

― Henry David Thoreau

2023-11-02T21:35:43+00:00

I joined Kain Performance in 2003 and since then this team and triathlon have become a huge part of my life. Pete and Shari have created a great program lead not only by their coaching but their team concept. We train as a team, we push each other to improve, and on race day we support each other like no other group out there. In the past 7 years we’ve traveled as a team to races in Europe, Hawaii, and of course all over the US. I’ve made great friends along the way and have improved at the sport more then I ever expected. I’ve gone from a middle of the pack finisher to actually winning my age group in a triathlon this past year. I’ve competed in National Championship races and have finished 50 triathlons including 3 Ironman’s. In 2009 I was part of the Kain Iron team that went to Ironman Austria. The trip and event was a perfect example of a Kain destination race. The 20+ athletes competing combined with their supporters made for a great group of people and an incredible experience on race day that I will always remember. At Kain it’s all about the team and weather you are an age group winner or a triathlon newbie you’ll fit in. If you’ve got a triathlon goal Kain Performance will help you achieve it.

Russell

I ran into Pete at my gym in early 2010 and told him about my desire to start competing in the world of triathlons. Of course, I couldn’t swim more than a couple laps in the pool and hadn’t ridden a road bike since I delivered newspapers on a Schwinn Varsity back in the 70′s. Pete got me a great deal using the Kain Performance team discount on a new Specialized bike and all the accessories to go along with it. I began swimming, doing the Tuesday night team brick workouts, and Saturday team rides. Within two months, I completed my first sprint tri. Because I felt so prepared, it was a very positive experience. I had gained a lot of knowledge and insight from Pete, the coaches, and the other people on the team…everything from strategy, to transitions to preparation. I was hooked! Now, eight months later, I’ve completed six triathlons, including two Half-Iron events. I can’t wait to take on Ironman Austria in 2011, with the 30+ people going from Kain Performance. I enjoy the energetic and supportive nature of the folks that comprise Kain Performance. Pete and Shari have a unique way of making training fun and enjoyable and they’ve created a team environment like no other. I couldn’t have picked a better group of people to train with!

Wayne

After several seasons with Team in Training, I joined Kain Performance to step up my training. I have really noticed an improvement in my running. Pete and Shari are a great team, and you never know what to expect in terms of the workout. Pete can take a hard workout and make it one of the best workouts ever. The other team members provide a lot of energy and team spirit, and make me not want to miss a workout.

Judy

I joined Kain Performance on a Sunday during a Labor Day weekend, back in 2003; I remember that day very well because we had a great swim and run workouts finishing up the day with one of the best parties I have ever been to, just ask Jody!! I started doing triathlon back in 1993 and since then I’ve joined a few different Tri-clubs but when I came to Kain Performance, I found everything in one place; the best coaching, a great bunch of people with different backgrounds, a diverse variety of workouts year round with weekend training trips, team destination races and of course, lots and lt’s of fun. Pete keeps a good balance for his training programs; be prepared for some serious training and racing but also be prepared for some even more serious FUN. Personally, my training has improved so much that I think I’ll have a shot to qualify for worlds this year. The only problem training with Kain Performance could be that, after a while, you might not be “Street Legal” any more…

Jorge

I was bitten by the triathlon bug after a season with TNT. Since joining Kain Performance this summer, my swimming has really improved through practicing the assigned drills, listening to the technique stuff and having one-on-one sessions coached by Becky Gibbs Lavelle. The running economy workouts have helped me make significant improvements in speed, with new personal records for 400m, 800m and 1 mile. I really enjoy Pete and Shari’s coaching style and applicability.

John

Karl with a K, On Climbing

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