Black Diamond Spectre Ice Piton

Black Diamond designed the Spectre Ice Piton to provide alternative, pound-in protection on mixed and thin ice lines where traditional pro is just a pipe dream. Doubling as a piton, the Spectre can be pounded into frozen moss, mud and icy cracks. A redesigned profile offers better clearance at the eye when placing or removing. Reverse teeth prevent it from being pulled out and cutouts in the body have shaved 54 grams in weight. Use it as an intermediary placement when you're desperate—just drop it in a pick placement hole and give it a couple of taps before you move on to that better ice just out of reach. Comes with a doubled Spectra sling. –Vendor

$34.95

Great for ice climbing without much ice
These new Spectres are a major improvement over the earlier model. The cut-out shaft greatly reduces weight without sacrificing strength at all. You can beat the hell out of this thing placing it and just sharpen it up like your ice tools at the end of the day. The doubled sling lets you lengthen your connection so rope whip won’t pluck it from the placement. Though it was designed for the ice, the Spectre is actually better for placing in iced-up cracks and mossy top outs. It’s great when you need it, but back it up if possible.

Training Tips

Heart monitors are useful for knowing when you are in the right zone for your training efforts. If you understand what your maximum heart rate is, you can set up your monitor to beep at you when you exceed the high or low range of your heart rate for the type of workout you are doing.

Cross training gives your body a chance to recover while still exercising. If yesterday has a hard run day up and down hills, then today's bicycle ride gives your aching knees a well deserved break.

Anaeroic threshold is when lactic acid starts to build up in your body as your muscles are not getting the oxygen they require. This threshold is typically expressed as a percentage of your VO2 max - the amount of oxygen per kilogram of weight that a person can use in converting fuel to energy. Elite athletes threshold might be as high as 90% of VO2 max.

Efficient running position allows you to run farther and faster. Keep the heel raise to a minimum, relax your upper body and hands, keep your upper body poised and quiet.