I had no doubts I could go to the pole. I may not be as strong, but I make up for physical strength in other areas, like steadiness and not panicking under stress.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
If you work so hard to reach your goal but you lose your pole in the very last run, that's hard to take.
My strength was that I am more balanced and calmer than most other riders.
Environmental scientists in Canada said it was impossible for me to get to the Pole in 2004... I said 'no,' it's still OK, and I can still get there, and I did.
The types of climbing that I choose to do I'm good at justifying. I do really try and pick things that I'm going to live through. I don't want to die, and I'm relatively cautious. I play with that line all the time. I want things that are very exciting, so much so that they can feel almost spiritual.
I'd say I'm quite powerful so I'm not afraid of jumps or acrobatic elements. The hardest part is... get on the beam and stay there on top of it!
When I was younger, I did not have the strength to jump well enough, but over the years I have gained that, worked on it. But the sensibility you simply have to have.
You have to train hard and be strong while staying flexible and limber, so I'm trying to find that balance.
Whether I'm 40, 50 or 60, I'm going to be as physically strong as I am able.
I'm pretty athletic, but I'm not very strong.
Without going to what I think is my limit. I always say that my ideal is to get pole with the minimum effort, and to win the race at the slowest speed possible.