Yeah I understand the obstacles of life getting in the way.
As per this post I had in my other log, I forgot mention I did single ply, with a 229 bench, 455 squat, and a 395 deadlift (in pounds). Raw with raps was the 186kg.
I have no idea what my maxes are now currently. Will I test them? Probably. But the slow and steady route feels so much better than the crunch-time schedules I remember I had myself doing leading up to the meet, and in retrospect, I STILL was not prepared.
Reading over that post I can remember how I felt during that year. Just lost and bombarded with so much heavy life stuff. Come to find out, the gym/garage that hosted the TBS meet closed down recently anyways, I was dropped by a coach I actually really liked, but a miscommunication was all it took for me to realize some folks just really are not that caring, and I can barely remember the Houston Winter Games meet. All I know is I was STRESSED the whole time. All that identity I placed in these things amounted to me just wanting to go back to being strong just cuz I can. Less injured, and less stressed.
I say all that because if the me now could’ve talked to the me then, I’d have said just keep doing your usual thing in the gym. The meet was nice, first time ply usage was nice, experience was a new endeavor, etc., but I am just insanely happier where I am now.
Meet or no meet. My biggest enemy is me, and while I used to aspire to names such as April Mathis, I realized that realistic living for me personally just looks vastly different. I’ll still claim “powerlifter” just because I can, but by and large, and at the end of the day, it’s just a word.
Technically you absolutely can, but I understand the sentiment.
Also, while I admire a revised statement/accusation such as this:
I can barely afford this years school tuition let alone the syringes needed to even start a steroid cycle. I am natural my friend. I don’t partake in the secret sauce.