What is it like having the 2x World's Strongest Woman (WSW) and world record holding powerlifter, Jill Mills, as your coach? A question I hear fairly frequently, but honestly, don't think I have ever answered...outside of simply saying "awesome". So, here ya go...
First things first, your ego must comprehend the fact that there is, and will forever be, only one Jill Mills. It doesn't matter what you think you can do, how much you think you work, or how good you think you are. She has, and will, do more, work harder, and be better. Once you have grasped this concept, as well as understand that her way is better than about 99% of what you think you already know...then, and only then, you just might be able to undertake the task of learning from a legend. (And for the record, from my own personal experience, letting go of the useless crap that is tucked away in long term memory is no easy task.)
With that being said, there is one more small requirement. Passion. The all encompassing word for truly loving your sport...from the hard work you put in, to what you give back (emphasis on giving back). Jill has a unique passion for her sports, which has resulted in enormous amounts of valuable knowledge. You may never posses the same passion, or even understand it....but you sure as hell have to appreciate it in someone else.
Two years ago, when I first contacted Jill via e-mail regarding training, her response was almost immediate. I was scared shitless. It was one of those moments when you want to travel back in time, slap yourself, and say, "what were you thinking?". That fear was followed by a multitude of questions, self-doubt if you will. What was she going to think of a fat, out of shape, recovering alcoholic, has-been athlete? The answer to that: nothing. The only judgement came in the form of critiquing my horrible lifting techniques, and the possibility of what could be...not what once was.
From a lifting perspective, I have made some incredible gains. From an unweighted bar squat, yes, just the bar, to 250lbs. My all-back 315lb deadlift jumped to 360lbs when I learned to incorporate my posterior chain. In my first strongman competition, in March '13, the 400lb yoke almost killed me, now, I am working to get quicker with 500lbs. Hell, I have even grown into a squat suit that Jill let me borrow for a competition in California last year. I am still trying to decide if fitting into that miserable suit is a good thing though. However, I can not simply write a blog on numbers. Her coaching and programing success can be seen in athletes everywhere.
I was only seven months into my sobriety when I started training, still struggling to discover who I really was, and my place in life. Through lifting alone, I built confidence and began to believe in myself...but my understanding of feelings and emotions was progressing much like a game of Chutes and Ladders (Google it). Call it luck, coincidence, or meant to be, but
in finding the right lifting coach, I also found a role model for the person I desired to be.
She knew when to encourage, when to guide, and when to let me stand on my own, fail, and learn. I have tested her coaching skills, her patience, and her tolerance level more times than I even care to count. But she did not quit, nor throw me out the door...although I am sure the thought has crossed her mind...more than once. She truly wanted me to succeed, not just in the gym, but in life itself. There has not been one single day that I have left the gym, if I can physically walk out of the gym, without some new insight...to make me think, and to help me grow. Every trip to the gym, or barn, or park, or where ever the workout may take me, is a unique opportunity. You can take these moments for granted, or you can, as Jill likes to say, "embrace it".
Although the 2x World's Strongest Woman may be a living highlight reel of feats of strength, she is first and foremost a wife, a mother, a self-made woman, and a wonderful human being. In other words, she is a whole lot more than what you see in any thirty second youtube video. The visible strength is undeniable, but the unseen, internal strength is even more impressive. Being able to train with and learn from Jill is a privilege...one that I will continue to embrace for years to come.
Showing posts with label powerlifting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label powerlifting. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Women of Strength
It was an EPIC weekend!
Jill Mills, my coach, and legendary strongwoman and powerlifter, hosted a womens only, two day strength clinic. It was the culmination of decades of knowledge, and one person willing to share her experiences, successful lifting techniques, and strategies to nine women with a passion for strength based sports. If you are one of those athletes that think you have it all figured out...well, you were not invited anyway. But if, like me, you constantly strive to be better and desire to increase your knowledge at any given chance, this clinic was the place to be.
Yes, I spend three, sometimes four days a week training the fundamental lifts and strongman events with Jill. But passing up a learning opportunity like this would just be plain stupid. It would be like telling Pat Summit or Martina Navratilova, I don't think I could really gain anything from your years of experience and success. I know there are plenty of athletes and coaches that have that mind-set, but I am not one of them.
The weekend provided a unique opportunity to not only receive instructional tips, but also observe various teaching techniques geared toward experienced lifters and newbies alike. How to make simple corrections, to what to look for in technique flaws and how to correct them, it was all available right in my own training facilities...and for once I was not the only test dummy.
Our first day was spent at Olympic Gym breaking down technique on the major lifts in powerlifting as well as an introduction to accessory exercises. Every athlete in attendance was provided the opportunity to have their lifts critiqued and corrected. We also covered Jill's programming, which I can personally attest to its success rate. But the best part of day one was simply getting to know the other women. Jill pointed out the comradery that exists within the women's strength community...and without a doubt, she is absolutely correct. In my short time in competition, the extended strongwoman family has proven to be a loving, caring, and a giving community.
On day two, we all made the road trip south of San Antonio to the barn. Home of the best collection of strongman equipment with more space than we had at last years national competition. Not to mention, my favorite place to escape to on sunday nights and throw around heavy objects. We tackled every major strongman event, and then some, with Jill providing the details on everything including grip, footwork, speed, bar placement...you name it.
By the end of the weekend, some found confidence in lifting heavy, others new techniques to work on, but we all went home with new members to add to our strongwoman family, and a ton of knowledge that only a legend could provide. As exhausted as I was by sunday night, I would have done it all over again starting monday morning. Yes, it was that good.
Jill Mills, my coach, and legendary strongwoman and powerlifter, hosted a womens only, two day strength clinic. It was the culmination of decades of knowledge, and one person willing to share her experiences, successful lifting techniques, and strategies to nine women with a passion for strength based sports. If you are one of those athletes that think you have it all figured out...well, you were not invited anyway. But if, like me, you constantly strive to be better and desire to increase your knowledge at any given chance, this clinic was the place to be.
Yes, I spend three, sometimes four days a week training the fundamental lifts and strongman events with Jill. But passing up a learning opportunity like this would just be plain stupid. It would be like telling Pat Summit or Martina Navratilova, I don't think I could really gain anything from your years of experience and success. I know there are plenty of athletes and coaches that have that mind-set, but I am not one of them.
The weekend provided a unique opportunity to not only receive instructional tips, but also observe various teaching techniques geared toward experienced lifters and newbies alike. How to make simple corrections, to what to look for in technique flaws and how to correct them, it was all available right in my own training facilities...and for once I was not the only test dummy.
Our first day was spent at Olympic Gym breaking down technique on the major lifts in powerlifting as well as an introduction to accessory exercises. Every athlete in attendance was provided the opportunity to have their lifts critiqued and corrected. We also covered Jill's programming, which I can personally attest to its success rate. But the best part of day one was simply getting to know the other women. Jill pointed out the comradery that exists within the women's strength community...and without a doubt, she is absolutely correct. In my short time in competition, the extended strongwoman family has proven to be a loving, caring, and a giving community.
On day two, we all made the road trip south of San Antonio to the barn. Home of the best collection of strongman equipment with more space than we had at last years national competition. Not to mention, my favorite place to escape to on sunday nights and throw around heavy objects. We tackled every major strongman event, and then some, with Jill providing the details on everything including grip, footwork, speed, bar placement...you name it.
By the end of the weekend, some found confidence in lifting heavy, others new techniques to work on, but we all went home with new members to add to our strongwoman family, and a ton of knowledge that only a legend could provide. As exhausted as I was by sunday night, I would have done it all over again starting monday morning. Yes, it was that good.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Nutshell
Since I have added a lot of new people to my facebook and have new blog readers, I figured a short recap was appropriate. I post a lot about powerlifting, strongman, my past life as a crossfitter, and my life as an alcoholic. I am very open and honest about my addiction issues, and do not want to scare or suprise anyone by those particular blogs. It was a large part of my life that I still battle with and I know there are quite a few people that only know me as a strongman or powerlifting competitor. So, here in a nutshell is...well, me!
1980's: introduced to alcohol in grade school; a few drinks on the weekends quickly turned into daily consumption and getting obliterated on the weekends; I chose alcohol to "deal with" family issues, imperfections, and cover up feelings and emotions.
1990's: I was drinking bottles of vodka at a time...and not the airplane size bottles. It was in the late '90's that I switched to beer, or should say added beer. But at this point in my life, I did start taking my athletic career a little more serious and took breaks from drinking during basketball season and during the summer months that I worked for the Girl Scouts.
2000's: My drinking got worse as I began my coaching career and experienced several failed relatioships, as well as dealing with increasingly difficult family issues. I found CrossFit in 2008, and with that I also found of bunch of partiers. I would workout drunk or with a good buzz more times than not. And weekends were one long party in which I didn't begin to sober up until monday afternoon.
2011: I began having health issues because of my excessive drinking, but ignored it and kept going with my professional drinking career. By this time, my drinking included a minimum of thirty beers a day and either vodka or rum. I could kill a large bottle of either in a day easy, and still drink beer. In October, I started to hit bottom with my drinking. My body was literally rejecting alcohol, but still I continued. I started drinking almost 24 hours a day in order to keep a buzz. I quit Crossfit completely and in three years went from a 160lb athlete to a 215lb sloth.
2012: I woke up one morning in March and said "I'm done". I quit cold turkey. I also began counseling to deal with the 20+ years of drinking cover-ups. I started lifting again in late summer and found a great trainer in October. My first powerlifting meet was in December and my first strongman comp in March 2013.
And as they say, the rest is history. I am back to being a 155lb athlete, and a much happier sober person...just living life one day at a time!
1980's: introduced to alcohol in grade school; a few drinks on the weekends quickly turned into daily consumption and getting obliterated on the weekends; I chose alcohol to "deal with" family issues, imperfections, and cover up feelings and emotions.
1990's: I was drinking bottles of vodka at a time...and not the airplane size bottles. It was in the late '90's that I switched to beer, or should say added beer. But at this point in my life, I did start taking my athletic career a little more serious and took breaks from drinking during basketball season and during the summer months that I worked for the Girl Scouts.
2000's: My drinking got worse as I began my coaching career and experienced several failed relatioships, as well as dealing with increasingly difficult family issues. I found CrossFit in 2008, and with that I also found of bunch of partiers. I would workout drunk or with a good buzz more times than not. And weekends were one long party in which I didn't begin to sober up until monday afternoon.
2011: I began having health issues because of my excessive drinking, but ignored it and kept going with my professional drinking career. By this time, my drinking included a minimum of thirty beers a day and either vodka or rum. I could kill a large bottle of either in a day easy, and still drink beer. In October, I started to hit bottom with my drinking. My body was literally rejecting alcohol, but still I continued. I started drinking almost 24 hours a day in order to keep a buzz. I quit Crossfit completely and in three years went from a 160lb athlete to a 215lb sloth.
2012: I woke up one morning in March and said "I'm done". I quit cold turkey. I also began counseling to deal with the 20+ years of drinking cover-ups. I started lifting again in late summer and found a great trainer in October. My first powerlifting meet was in December and my first strongman comp in March 2013.
And as they say, the rest is history. I am back to being a 155lb athlete, and a much happier sober person...just living life one day at a time!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
What Goals???
"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me."
And the answer to that is me...only I can sell myself short.
My number #1 goal in the short term and long term is an easy one: stay clean and sober. Even though I have faced some rough days and I am sure there will be more ahead, I have had more fun and enjoyed life more in the last eighteen months than I ever did covering up my problems with beer and alcohol. I sincerely hope any one with addiction issues can turn there life around...because it is never to late! And when they say the grass is always greener on the other side, that is 100% true in this case. Simply waking up every morning at the crack of dawn sober and watching the sun come up, (instead of puking my guts out and laying on the couch trembling with anxiety about the day ahead), makes me appreciate every day I am given.
Beyond my professional drunk life, I have already achieved many small goals that just make me want to push further and see what is possible. I got to a point in my life where I wouldn't get into a car unless I was driving...overcome. I was afraid to step foot on an airplane...overcome. And the times I was afraid to leave the house because of the unknown...overcome. My goal now is to save up some cash and take a well earned family vacation...probably to Vegas. Yes, I may be the only person in the world that wants to experience Sin City and the beautiful red rock canyons sober.
And then, of course, I have my goals for strongman as well as powerlifting. With the strongwoman national competition right around the corner, my sights are now set on improving my lifts and event techniques so that I am 100% confident in my capabilities when the clock starts. I don't expect any miracles to happen, there are only so many gains one person can make in a month. But with that being said, there are adjustments that can be made to make what I can do more efficient and consistent, thus turning the question of "can I" into "I will". A year from now, my sights are set on being competitive at this level, as well as making a more successful run at CA Stongest Woman.
Powerlifting is similar in the fact that repition makes you more consistent in your lifts. But I also see it as a numbers game. There is no end to what a person is capable of lifting...there is always more weight to be added. Since I finally hit my goal of 350 on the deadlift, it is time to move toward my goal of 400 by the end of next summer. My coach also helped in setting short term goals for my next meet with higher starting weights which would ultimately end with some new PR's...and hitting the elusive 200lb bench as well as going over 200lbs on my squat.
There is lots of hard work ahead but I am ready to face the challenge!
And the answer to that is me...only I can sell myself short.
My number #1 goal in the short term and long term is an easy one: stay clean and sober. Even though I have faced some rough days and I am sure there will be more ahead, I have had more fun and enjoyed life more in the last eighteen months than I ever did covering up my problems with beer and alcohol. I sincerely hope any one with addiction issues can turn there life around...because it is never to late! And when they say the grass is always greener on the other side, that is 100% true in this case. Simply waking up every morning at the crack of dawn sober and watching the sun come up, (instead of puking my guts out and laying on the couch trembling with anxiety about the day ahead), makes me appreciate every day I am given.
Beyond my professional drunk life, I have already achieved many small goals that just make me want to push further and see what is possible. I got to a point in my life where I wouldn't get into a car unless I was driving...overcome. I was afraid to step foot on an airplane...overcome. And the times I was afraid to leave the house because of the unknown...overcome. My goal now is to save up some cash and take a well earned family vacation...probably to Vegas. Yes, I may be the only person in the world that wants to experience Sin City and the beautiful red rock canyons sober.
And then, of course, I have my goals for strongman as well as powerlifting. With the strongwoman national competition right around the corner, my sights are now set on improving my lifts and event techniques so that I am 100% confident in my capabilities when the clock starts. I don't expect any miracles to happen, there are only so many gains one person can make in a month. But with that being said, there are adjustments that can be made to make what I can do more efficient and consistent, thus turning the question of "can I" into "I will". A year from now, my sights are set on being competitive at this level, as well as making a more successful run at CA Stongest Woman.
Powerlifting is similar in the fact that repition makes you more consistent in your lifts. But I also see it as a numbers game. There is no end to what a person is capable of lifting...there is always more weight to be added. Since I finally hit my goal of 350 on the deadlift, it is time to move toward my goal of 400 by the end of next summer. My coach also helped in setting short term goals for my next meet with higher starting weights which would ultimately end with some new PR's...and hitting the elusive 200lb bench as well as going over 200lbs on my squat.
There is lots of hard work ahead but I am ready to face the challenge!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Opening Act
I returned yesterday evening from the USPA Capital of Texas Open with the intention of writing my blog and reviewing the event. But with so much adrenaline still flying through my system just talking about it, I decided to wait another day to reflect on everything that happened. Plus, by 9:30 my body and mind called it quits and I crashed hard.
I would like to say first that Robert Gallegos, with the assistance of Austin Simply Fit, put on a well run and amazing event! Lifters from around Texas started filing in around 8am, including six from our very own Olympic Gym. You may associate O.G. with "original gangster"...but here it IS Olympic Gym. All six of the O.G. athletes, trained by the one and only Jill Mills, placed in their weight class and came home with medals, including the men's best overall lifter, Rich Bufalini.
I know for me personally, it was some of the best competition lifting I have ever done. Chalk it up to actually taking days off, having my Barn Crew cheering me on, Gary finding the only place that sells Big Red Zero, or the inspirational lifting clinic that Jill put on as a guest lifter...it is one day I will not soon forget. It's days like this that make busting your ass in the gym worth every damn minute!
I spent a lot of my day as the opening act for my coach's larger than life lifts. And it was freakin' AWESOME! How many people can say they have shared a platform with the person that inspires them the most? Well, I have now! She staked claim to a 1250 total with a 440 squat, 281 bench...barely missing her third lift of 303, and a 529 deadlift. The good thing was...at least I didn't have to go after those lifts! And you had to feel some sympathy for the guys loading the bar, they had to strip all that weight every time so that we could start the rotation over. I would venture to guess they might be a little sore today.
As for me, I came pretty damn close to hitting all my goals for the meet...and each of my lifts was a PR for me in the 165lb weight class. My squat, which I had started from scratch with less than a year ago, is just two pounds shy of the 200 mark. Although the 200lb bench still eludes me, I did hit a 187...up six pounds from my last couple of meets. And finally, I hit and exceeded my big goal of a 350 deadlift, ending with a 352, a twenty pound meet PR. My deadlift came courtesy of: 1. lots of strongman training, 2. my judge at California's Strongest Woman, Donnie Rhodes, who mentioned to me after the event that he thought my 365lb deadlift was more me than the suit (I'm guessing because I use so much back rather than leg), and 3. Jill's husband, Milo, who was standing next to me when I went to put in my final lift. I was going to play it safe, but he gave me much higher numbers to pick from. And with one pull, no hitches, it all came together. It was just like hitting a game winning buzzer beater from half court...without the post game dog pile, thank goodness.
A big, huge congratulations to all of my Barn Crew and coach on some freakin' great lifting! And even bigger thank you for making this day one of a kind!
I would like to say first that Robert Gallegos, with the assistance of Austin Simply Fit, put on a well run and amazing event! Lifters from around Texas started filing in around 8am, including six from our very own Olympic Gym. You may associate O.G. with "original gangster"...but here it IS Olympic Gym. All six of the O.G. athletes, trained by the one and only Jill Mills, placed in their weight class and came home with medals, including the men's best overall lifter, Rich Bufalini.
I know for me personally, it was some of the best competition lifting I have ever done. Chalk it up to actually taking days off, having my Barn Crew cheering me on, Gary finding the only place that sells Big Red Zero, or the inspirational lifting clinic that Jill put on as a guest lifter...it is one day I will not soon forget. It's days like this that make busting your ass in the gym worth every damn minute!
I spent a lot of my day as the opening act for my coach's larger than life lifts. And it was freakin' AWESOME! How many people can say they have shared a platform with the person that inspires them the most? Well, I have now! She staked claim to a 1250 total with a 440 squat, 281 bench...barely missing her third lift of 303, and a 529 deadlift. The good thing was...at least I didn't have to go after those lifts! And you had to feel some sympathy for the guys loading the bar, they had to strip all that weight every time so that we could start the rotation over. I would venture to guess they might be a little sore today.
As for me, I came pretty damn close to hitting all my goals for the meet...and each of my lifts was a PR for me in the 165lb weight class. My squat, which I had started from scratch with less than a year ago, is just two pounds shy of the 200 mark. Although the 200lb bench still eludes me, I did hit a 187...up six pounds from my last couple of meets. And finally, I hit and exceeded my big goal of a 350 deadlift, ending with a 352, a twenty pound meet PR. My deadlift came courtesy of: 1. lots of strongman training, 2. my judge at California's Strongest Woman, Donnie Rhodes, who mentioned to me after the event that he thought my 365lb deadlift was more me than the suit (I'm guessing because I use so much back rather than leg), and 3. Jill's husband, Milo, who was standing next to me when I went to put in my final lift. I was going to play it safe, but he gave me much higher numbers to pick from. And with one pull, no hitches, it all came together. It was just like hitting a game winning buzzer beater from half court...without the post game dog pile, thank goodness.
A big, huge congratulations to all of my Barn Crew and coach on some freakin' great lifting! And even bigger thank you for making this day one of a kind!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Game Plan
"If you are prepared, you will be confident, and you will do the job." Tom Landry
I have spent a lot of time drawing up game plans; all the x's and o's, on scraps of paper, napkins, and even courtside on the floor. I could break down the strengths and weakness of every player on the floor. In a split second, I could identify what was going to happen when the ball was inbounded after a time out...just by watching the players return to the floor. The player with her head down...that was the one that lacked confidence and would either be a decoy or completely out of the play. The two that came back on the floor discussing what went on during the time out...the one talking is your shooter while the one listening is your screener. The quiet, wide-eyed player...that is your in-bounder that is repeating to herself, "do not turn the ball over". And the one that runs back on the floor and immediately takes her position, that is your point guard...your confident leader.
Hopefully, everyone understands a little about basketball...otherwise, that probably didn't make a lot of sense. But that was my job as a head coach, to prepare my players for a game that lasted forty minutes. Five players versus five players.
This weekend it is my job to prepare myself...for a game against myself. And I have to say, although I am getting better at it, it is not an easy thing to accomplish. Five on five with a bench full of subs is a lot easier! Between powerlifting and strongman competitions, there have been plenty of times when I wish I had a time out so I could get my game back on track. But in these two sports, I really don't think asking for a time out would be well received.
This weekend my game plan is in place: I have actually taken most of the week to deload, so I am well rested, my personal goals are set and include PR's in two of my lifts (a third would just be icing on the cake), and the plan to reach those two very attainable PR's is done. But we all know that game plans sometimes go right out the window before the game even starts. So, my main goal is to start strong on the very first lift, focus on each lift individually, and don't spend time over-thinking...just attack each one, make adjustments as necessary, and hit some big numbers!
Regardless of the outcome, as long as I come out a stronger and more mentally tough athlete...then my job is done. And finally, and most importantly...I am going to have fun!!!
Time to pack up and hit the road!
I have spent a lot of time drawing up game plans; all the x's and o's, on scraps of paper, napkins, and even courtside on the floor. I could break down the strengths and weakness of every player on the floor. In a split second, I could identify what was going to happen when the ball was inbounded after a time out...just by watching the players return to the floor. The player with her head down...that was the one that lacked confidence and would either be a decoy or completely out of the play. The two that came back on the floor discussing what went on during the time out...the one talking is your shooter while the one listening is your screener. The quiet, wide-eyed player...that is your in-bounder that is repeating to herself, "do not turn the ball over". And the one that runs back on the floor and immediately takes her position, that is your point guard...your confident leader.
Hopefully, everyone understands a little about basketball...otherwise, that probably didn't make a lot of sense. But that was my job as a head coach, to prepare my players for a game that lasted forty minutes. Five players versus five players.
This weekend it is my job to prepare myself...for a game against myself. And I have to say, although I am getting better at it, it is not an easy thing to accomplish. Five on five with a bench full of subs is a lot easier! Between powerlifting and strongman competitions, there have been plenty of times when I wish I had a time out so I could get my game back on track. But in these two sports, I really don't think asking for a time out would be well received.
This weekend my game plan is in place: I have actually taken most of the week to deload, so I am well rested, my personal goals are set and include PR's in two of my lifts (a third would just be icing on the cake), and the plan to reach those two very attainable PR's is done. But we all know that game plans sometimes go right out the window before the game even starts. So, my main goal is to start strong on the very first lift, focus on each lift individually, and don't spend time over-thinking...just attack each one, make adjustments as necessary, and hit some big numbers!
Regardless of the outcome, as long as I come out a stronger and more mentally tough athlete...then my job is done. And finally, and most importantly...I am going to have fun!!!
Time to pack up and hit the road!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Capital of Texas Open
Next weekend I am headed to Austin, Texas for the USPA Capital of Texas Open, my third full powerlifting meet. We will have a pretty good group headed up from San Antonio to represent Jill Mills' training, including a chunk of the Barn Crew. I truly enjoy this sport and the challenges it presents, even though you are required to wear a singlet (worst idea in the history of sport's uniforms).
Since I have been concentrating more on strongman competitions, this meet will be more of a test to see where I am on my lifts. I have remained pretty consistent on my bench, I hope to go a lot bigger on the deadlift, and it is always hit or miss as to whether my squat will show up or not. But if it does, my goal is to go over 200lbs. Yes, I am one of those that can bench as much as I squat. But considering where I started with my squat, over 200 would be a big accomplishment.
My other reason for choosing to compete in this meet is to work on becoming stronger mentally. During my last meet, I put myself in a position where I had to repeat my opening weight on my very first lift...something I have never experienced. I was shifting my weight really bad to one side, which I used to do all the time in Crossfit in attempt to avoid using an injured knee. Now, there is really no reason for it except for a lack of focus on my form. The squat issue then lead to me missing a lift on the bench...my butt came up on a fairly easy weight...again nothing but a lack of focus on my part. And finally, on my second deadlift, the weight was loaded improperly...5lbs or so heavier on one side. At this point, there was nothing else I could do but laugh. I was finally relaxed and not over or under thinking things and pulled an easy 315 on my final deadlift.
BUT the main reason I am going to Austin is to see my Barn Crew training partner, Rich, lift in a singlet. Just kidding!!! I can not wait to see everyone lift...some for the first time in a meet! Surrounded by a great group of friends, we will all have a good day and represent ourselves and our coach well!...no matter what anyone looks like in a singlet.
Since I have been concentrating more on strongman competitions, this meet will be more of a test to see where I am on my lifts. I have remained pretty consistent on my bench, I hope to go a lot bigger on the deadlift, and it is always hit or miss as to whether my squat will show up or not. But if it does, my goal is to go over 200lbs. Yes, I am one of those that can bench as much as I squat. But considering where I started with my squat, over 200 would be a big accomplishment.
My other reason for choosing to compete in this meet is to work on becoming stronger mentally. During my last meet, I put myself in a position where I had to repeat my opening weight on my very first lift...something I have never experienced. I was shifting my weight really bad to one side, which I used to do all the time in Crossfit in attempt to avoid using an injured knee. Now, there is really no reason for it except for a lack of focus on my form. The squat issue then lead to me missing a lift on the bench...my butt came up on a fairly easy weight...again nothing but a lack of focus on my part. And finally, on my second deadlift, the weight was loaded improperly...5lbs or so heavier on one side. At this point, there was nothing else I could do but laugh. I was finally relaxed and not over or under thinking things and pulled an easy 315 on my final deadlift.
BUT the main reason I am going to Austin is to see my Barn Crew training partner, Rich, lift in a singlet. Just kidding!!! I can not wait to see everyone lift...some for the first time in a meet! Surrounded by a great group of friends, we will all have a good day and represent ourselves and our coach well!...no matter what anyone looks like in a singlet.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
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