12/23/11
Happy Holidays for anyone who still checks this.
I’ve been taking a much needed break after this last contest. This is the first deload I’ve had since the comp in September, and I think I needed it. I’m just now getting amped up to get back in the gym, so I’ll hit some events tomorrow morning before all the Christmas festivities. As for the Hope for Holidays V, it was a great show. Incredible energy, and I came in 5th/9 in the 231 open class. Not too bad for my second show, my first open, and in a weight class I’ve still got 12-15 lbs to gain in order to fill out. Here’s how it broke down:
- Axle Clean and Press, 225 lbs, Clean once from ground, press out.
I was so fired up on adrenaline when I walked up to the bar, that I could have power cleaned the damn thing… Continental clean was almost unnecessary but I did it anyway. Clean went up easy, and I busted out 5 reps. Got out of the groove on 6th, and again on the retry. Should have had seven reps, but only managed 5. This made a difference in my overall points, but is a massive improvement from 225x1 log in September. 9/9 here.
- Farmers Hold for Time, 230lbs each hand until you break.
As I was in last coming into this one, I said “fuck it, I’m going to go until I self destruct”… I put on LMFAO’s Party Rock and went to work. Had the spotter calling out every 10 seconds. I got some pity claps when I picked up the weight, but that only fueled the fire. 10, 20, 30… All of a sudden people started paying attention.
40… People start cheering, Willie makes comments about me being there all day, I’m staying in the pain cave. 50… People are going nuts, I’m shaking like hell. 60… 61… could have held ten more seconds probably, but pain shot up my left ulnar nerve from the wrist and I buckled. May have partially dislocated a finger on the R hand, but I popped it back in. 61 seconds and change. 1/9 here.
- Crucifix Hold for Time, 35 lbs, Arms fully extended to side until you break.
Pretty psyched coming into this one. Chance to make up some ground. Got some tips on regripping the bucket and went for it. Wasn’t expecting greatness here, as I’d only gone about 20 seconds in training. Ended up fighting it out for 43.7 seconds, forcing the last two guys to go 45 and 48 to beat me. 3/9.
- Deadlift from 18" blocks, 3 attempts, at least 50# jumps, if you fail you’re done
I knew I wasn’t going to do well here, as I’m a relatively new lifter still and I’ve got work to do. 400 went up so fast. 450 flew up which was awesome since it was a grinder in training. figured I had 500, so I went big and went for 550 for my last attempt. Pulled for about 10 seconds and it barely budged. Oh well, I know I could have gotten 500, which would have been a PR. 9/9 here. **Somebody almost got 950. Was sick to watch.
- Atlas Stones for reps over 48" bar
I could tell by the points that I wasn’t going to go and win with this event. However, if people were going to beat me, they were going to have to work their ass off for it. My strength was great as I only got this weight stone for 4 at the September comp, but my motor was weak… I got 5 reps in about 35 seconds, then could only get 2 reps in the time remaining. Wish I’d gotten 9, but I managed 7. Good enough for 4/9 this event.
Overall: I was 5/9 by the end, and 5 points behind 4th place. The two reps on axle and weak deadlift hurt me, but its a strength issue there, which is easy to remedy. The lack of conditioning was certainly frustrating though. I’ve retooled my training to work in more conditioning work so that this never happens again. Also going to work on some more volume stuff to try and get my deadlift up. I’m going get freaky with the training since I’m only lifting 3 days a week now, and we’ll see where I end up.
Next show will likely be Beasts of the Bluegrass in Kentucky sometime in May, as long as it doesn’t interfere with graduation. I’d do a show before then, but I’ve got to study my ass off and take boards in March.
Anyways, off to eat breakfast and head to work. Thanks for reading!
PEACE.
