Waiting for results. That video is crazy, what an idiot.
Northwest Regional Powerlifting Chamionships
Big crowd, lots of lifters. Some really BIG fellas too.
Flights get organized. I’m in the second flight - about in the middle of the pack. Started warming up too soon, 135x8,225x3,275x3,315x2,335x1 it all feels pretty good and easy.
Squats
1st attempt: 355 down and up, pretty easy and depth is good. Red lighted for approaching the rack before the command. No problem.
2nd Attempt: 355 down and up. A little harder this time, but not too bad - might still be able to make my 385 attempt. Red Lighted for depth. Starting to get rattled.
Okay, I’ve been here before, no problem. Now I’m thinking I want to save something for bench and deads so
3rd attempt: 355 down deep and lost the groove at the bottom, weight got forward on me and I couldn’t bring it up.
I bombed out. Again. I have a seriously foul-mouthed stream of consciousness going right now.
Either I’m taking this too seriously and screwing it up or not taking it seriously enough and screwing it up. I’m very disappointed in myself.
The judging was strict but fair from what I could see and I just made stupid mistakes and bad decisions. I should have taken 385 on my 2nd because then I would have at least tried. There isn’t any such thing as “safe” in this game. I can certainly see the benefit of having a team to help in calling depth and help make decisions on-scene. I didn’t have one and probably made some bad decisions, though I am grateful for all the support all of you have shown me over the last weeks.
I’m sorry if I’ve raised expectations or let anybody down.
And my camera was waiting on the doorstep when I got home. I told myself I wouldn’t use this acronym, but FML.
[quote]barryjenkins00 wrote:
I’ll be the first. Congrats and be proud.[/quote]
Thanks Barry.
Really. Thanks. Sorry to disappoint.
no disappointmet from the swamps Skid. You went and gave it a go. You know what you did wrong. I’ll bet the next one will go better. I’m looking forward to the next training cycle.
[quote]skidmark wrote:
barryjenkins00 wrote:
I’ll be the first. Congrats and be proud.
Thanks Barry.
Really. Thanks. Sorry to disappoint.[/quote]
As I told QT, millions can’t do what you take for granted. Eat drink and be merry. The iron will be here another day and it’s really about fun and strength anyway.Quote: I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.
ROCK ON.
Since I didn’t really do a meet I went ahead and did a training session.
Bench
135x8
185x3
225 3x3 every rep paused
1 Arm DB row
100 3x3
Squats
{315 1x2,335x1,355x1,1,0}
315 2x3 (tapped the pins for depth)
counting meet warmups and lifts.
Each session I do these I’ll add a set when I get to 6 sets then go up by 2.5-5 pounds on upper and 5-10 pounds on lower.
It’s just a temporary downer. There’s an unsanctioned push-pull in Walnut Creek 3rd week of March. I may just go and get some numbers up… whatever I can do.
The journey is never over. If shit didn’t happen everyone would be doing it. Skidmark, you’re tops just for showing up. I still belief in you. Think your way through it, don’t go beating yourself up. Think how much stronger you’ll be for the next one. The bitch is, competing is not only about ability, all those rules! Stay strong Bro!
No need to apologize to anyone here. You took the shot and that’s what counts.
[quote]skidmark wrote:
It’s just a temporary downer. There’s an unsanctioned push-pull in Walnut Creek 3rd week of March. I may just go and get some numbers up… whatever I can do.[/quote]
That might be a good idea since what you need to do to succeed is so fresh in your mind. If I may offer a small piece of advice skidster. I was in the middle of the second flight as well, and all I did was focus on the others and their technique. Watched what went well for them and what didn’t. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing any better than anyone else, and 5 of the first 7 lifters were red lighted. But by the time it was my turn, I had it down step by step in my head. I’m certain your squat is bigger than mine, so take this for what it’s worth. Every rep I do in the gym is ATG just to get that feel of where it needs to be in comp. I know you have the talent to kick serious ass in these comps. Again buddy, I’ve only done two meets myself, but I’m told carbs only prior to lifting that morning. Slow carbs and fast carbs, not much protein.
[quote]daddyzombie wrote:
skidmark wrote:
It’s just a temporary downer. There’s an unsanctioned push-pull in Walnut Creek 3rd week of March. I may just go and get some numbers up… whatever I can do.
That might be a good idea since what you need to do to succeed is so fresh in your mind. If I may offer a small piece of advice skidster. I was in the middle of the second flight as well, and all I did was focus on the others and their technique. Watched what went well for them and what didn’t. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing any better than anyone else, and 5 of the first 7 lifters were red lighted. But by the time it was my turn, I had it down step by step in my head. I’m certain your squat is bigger than mine, so take this for what it’s worth. Every rep I do in the gym is ATG just to get that feel of where it needs to be in comp. I know you have the talent to kick serious ass in these comps. Again buddy, I’ve only done two meets myself, but I’m told carbs only prior to lifting that morning. Slow carbs and fast carbs, not much protein.
[/quote]
That’s excellent advice, DZ. I hadn’t heard about the carb thing, though. Clearly I shorted myself on
- Practising lifting to commands
- Practising or noting depth in my training - else I wouldn’t have missed it under fatigue. Your advice on ATG is right on, and the reason I was tapping the pins tonight when I got home. It’s going to be like that from now on. If I don’t hear a at the bottom, the squat rep is bad.
Thanks Hel, Barry, DZ and Streamline. Feeling miles better after reading your posts.
Hey - here’s something…I’ll be remembered as the guy who squatted without a belt…
Nah. Probably not. LoL
You gave it a shot which is more than I can say for myself. Just chalk it up to experience.
Skid - if it weren’t hard, everybody and their brother would be doing it. Just stepping up to the plate is more than most do in their life.
you have my respect…
George
Someday you are going to recall yesterday and laugh hard.
For now, just remember how hard you worked at this and how much of your heart you put into it. At the end of the day, that’s what really counts.
Skid
going out and competing win loose or bomb is part of it and the result doesnt undo
your training
just like the lifts themselves the meets require practice.
Its’ awesome that you have the balls to compete
and here you are a day later already training for the next one.
good work
kmc
Bombing out is still one step ahead of those who never compete…
And like many people mentioned, you are getting back on the horse as soon as possible.
I would do that push/pull and see if you can’t put together a positive experience to build off of.
The squat is probably the lift that most people will bomb on (or maybe it is tied with the bench). Depth is the most common issue.
Not waiting for the rack command is just a neophyte mistake and I’m sure one that you’ll never make again.
I would suggest either low box squats or paused Olympic squats to give you more confidence taking heavy weight really deep.
Once again, you have nothing to be ashamed of… you stepped up to the plate.
I put your weights on the bar when I squatted last. I wouldn’t DREAM of trying to go “down and up” with that on my back (well, maybe down). You push hard man, and It’ll come around for you soon enough.
Speaking for myself, I’d only be disappointed if you weren’t wearing your slinglet UNDER YOUR CLOTHES right now!!! Get back on the horse, that’s darn right.
Tough break!! Next time. Even more weight.
I have a feeling that these attempts are pissing you off big time. There isn’t a chance in hell you’re stopping until you win one. Then, once you’ve won that first one, you’ll be hooked. Another lifer in the weight pit! Stay your course Bro!