Monopoly,
I was at the event but didn’t know which guy you were until I returned home and again compared your online pictures to what I saw.
You were the really lean guy who got 2 flips on the 1200 lb tire, right?
Bit of a newb question I’m sure… but what does HI stand for in the thread title?
[quote]JFG12 wrote:
Bit of a newb question I’m sure… but what does HI stand for in the thread title?[/quote]
Hawaii…
Hope everything went well Monoply from what I read it was a brutal comp. Saw some pics of the tire flip that thing looked like NO FUN.
Real brutal. The axle press that he thought was going to be 275 ended up being 300. The winner of that event, pro Grant Higa, got 9 easy reps.
And the tire was 1200 pounds, whereas the MetRx Strongman typically uses 900 pound tires.
The field was huge, like 16 guys, and a lot of Hawaii’s top amateurs couldn’t even manage one rep on either event.
It’s amazing how easy pros like Dave Ostland and Brian Shaw make the events look. It was awe-inspiring to see huge guys struggle with weights that the two above pros then went on to lift like it was a walk in the park. Almost scary. Like, hide the women and children while I distract this beast scary.
Well, what a trip!
Just got back home this morning with no sleep on the plane. A brief recap of our trip…
Last Wend we fly out the door. I have worked all day and we are starting out late. I get about 10 minutes from home when I realize that I left my power belt. This is a true blessing as I would have been mind fucked without it. We get to the airport and get back on track. We had to fly through LAX and stay the night.
So, as we had time to kill and I was hungry, I thought we would take a cab through the In & Out Burger that was to the airport, and then go to the hotel. Well, our cab driver needs to go back wherever the fuck he came from. He didn’t speak a lick of english, until we arrive at In & Out. All of a sudden, they only went to one stop and it was 17.50 regardless of distance blah blah blah. After 10 minutes of arguing I was out 30 bucks for a burger. Oh well, at least it was good.
Got back on track Thursday. Flight sucked of course, got the rental car and to our hotel easy. Just relaxed on Thursday and Friday, didn’t drink and tried not to stress to much. My girl was really cool about dealing with me which helped a bunch.
Fast forward to Saturday. I arrive at 9:30 and most of the guys are already under the tent. We are set to start at 11:00. I get a chair, talk to the guys I have seen before and BREIFLY warm up. A last minute decision is made to use the axel (which I thought would happen) they also however changed it from 275 clean and press each rep, to 300lbs one clean and then just press. FUCK! A 300lb overhead has been a white wale for me, so I was excited and nervous. They also make a desicion that they are cutting the field to 12 after the first 4 events, double fuck.
First event is farmers, 275lbs per hand for 200ft with 1 turn at 100ft. These did not feel like 275, they were very hard. I heard a bunch of guys say they felt over 300. They were a low pick up, and filled with sand, so the balance sucked. In short, it was the toughest farmers I’ve worked with. They also did not leave room for the turns I had been working on, instead you had to put one foot over the line, and then turn around.
In spite of all this, I picked them up and sprinted the first 100ft, then it hit. Legs went to jello, poor turn, bad back, etc etc. I dropped right at the turn and managed another 20ft or so. Tried picking up a third time but I was done. This put me mid-pack which was a bad start. I was counting on a high place here to carry me through.
Next up, axel press. I got pretty geeked up for this one. Had a very easy clean, followed by a clean press. PR TIME! Stupidly, I set the bar down. I got another easy clean, and…another press! On the way down however, I lost my footing on an uneven street and the bar came crashing down. I got it cleaned again and just missed the third rep. Getting this would have really helped, and I think it may have gone up had I not cleaned it 3 times. It’s still a huge PR, so I took it. This again was good for mid-pack.
Yoke followed. This was also the worse case for me. Weight was maximum, 850lbs on a very rickety yoke. Again, alot of the experienced guys had problems. I only got around 20ft or so with this. The first pickup felt like it was going to crush me, but I baby stepped it a ways. On the second pickup, I actually felt really strong and much better than the first. I couldn’t tell ya what happened, lost my balance or footing or what but I thought I was going for a long walk. End result was still a second quick drop and dismal placing.
1200lb tire, jeez. This was very low to the ground. I had to get super low to put any shoulder into it at all. I had already watched about 4 or 5 guys not budge this thing, so I was worried. It actually came off the ground very easy, but about halfway up the lever changed bigtime. Thankfully it had a TON of grip spots as it was brand new. Still, I dropped the first rep, and with it a ton of wasted energy. With a surge, I got 1 flip, then another. And again, I just missed a third flip/rep which would have greatly helped me in the points.
In the end, I just missed the cut. I placed in the lower half of the field and did not meet my goal of placing in the top 5 of the ams. Some positives however, 3prs in the axel, tire and yoke. I feel that if I would have made the cut, the truck pull would have really helped me but oh well.
Back to the drawing board. I may do the lightweight show coming up that offers a pro card, I may take some time off and try to get my back healed. It’s pretty bad at the moment, I had to limp around the island the entire time after the show which sucked. I really don’t feel like I’m that far off from being at a top AM level for the heavies. I still need to gain weight, at least 25lbs if I want to be serious.
On a side note, this was the best show I have attended. Great venue, crowd, lineup etc. The promoters did a killer job and would probably come back just for this. The show ran very quickly as they had lots of helpers/loaders/spotters and equipment needed to move the implements. Watching Dave O and Brian was mind boggoling. They went back and forth all day, it was fun to watch. Having Odd Haugen kick my ass my also humbling and cool at the same time.
Monopoly
sorry guys, just re-read this and it’s a mess, but will have to do.
Thanks for the write up man, I could follow it 
Thats a big PR on the axle! Plus you cleaned it 3 times, cleaning an axle takes a lot out of me.
I think your right you are not far off from being a top HW AM, just need to heal up all your nagging injuries and improve your weaknesses. Your to tall to be a LW, haha.
Sucks you didn’t make the cut, I think having a cut is dumb, especially in an Amateur show that you paid an entry fee on.
Hopefully next year there is a LW class, doing a strongman comp in HI would be awesome.
[quote]Kalle wrote:
Thanks for the write up man, I could follow it
Thats a big PR on the axle! Plus you cleaned it 3 times, cleaning an axle takes a lot out of me.
I think your right you are not far off from being a top HW AM, just need to heal up all your nagging injuries and improve your weaknesses. Your to tall to be a LW, haha.
Sucks you didn’t make the cut, I think having a cut is dumb, especially in an Amateur show that you paid an entry fee on.
Hopefully next year there is a LW class, doing a strongman comp in HI would be awesome. [/quote]
Thanks Kalle. I was not really happy about the cut. 10 other guys paid good money to get out and compete in that show and there was never a mention of the cut, that’s the ONLY beef I have with this show. If they were going to, it should have been announced.
And ya, I don’t really want to compete as a LW but I feel like I am pretty close to holding my own in that division. I hate to lose, so I’m really just looking for a way to redeem myself
Take care.
Monopoly
[quote]Monopoly19 wrote:
Thanks Kalle. I was not really happy about the cut. 10 other guys paid good money to get out and compete in that show and there was never a mention of the cut, that’s the ONLY beef I have with this show. If they were going to, it should have been announced.[/quote]
Yeah they should’ve announced the cut ahead of time. I don’t even know if cuts are fair, but from the audience point of view, it definitely helped move the event along. At 3 hours in, on a scorcher of a day, even an underdog supporter like me gets a little impatient sitting through the first 5 or so competitors who get poor or no lifts.
[quote]And ya, I don’t really want to compete as a LW but I feel like I am pretty close to holding my own in that division. I hate to lose, so I’m really just looking for a way to redeem myself
[/quote]
But who watches the MetRx World’s Strongest Lightweight Man competition?
[quote]Dispenser wrote:
Monopoly19 wrote:
And ya, I don’t really want to compete as a LW but I feel like I am pretty close to holding my own in that division. I hate to lose, so I’m really just looking for a way to redeem myself
But who watches the MetRx World’s Strongest Lightweight Man competition?[/quote]
There isn’t one… HW is where it is at, if I had the frame for it I’d be a HW but at 5’6 not going to happen.
[quote]Kalle wrote:
Dispenser wrote:
Monopoly19 wrote:
And ya, I don’t really want to compete as a LW but I feel like I am pretty close to holding my own in that division. I hate to lose, so I’m really just looking for a way to redeem myself
But who watches the MetRx World’s Strongest Lightweight Man competition?
There isn’t one… HW is where it is at, if I had the frame for it I’d be a HW but at 5’6 not going to happen. [/quote]
Oh, come on. Heh, I’m 5’6" and I’m not far from a heavyweight. (But I am far from HW strength.)
Hey Dis,
First, ya I was the “leanest guy” in the field. I already knew I was small bro! J/J, thanks. Sorry we didn’t get the chance to meet.
I hear you on the cuts. I don’t know how many shows you have been to, but they really did a good job of keeping things moving at a quick pace. And again, I have no problem with cuts, just announce it ahead of time! Not after I have invested over $2,000 for one contest under the impression there is no cut along with 8 other guys who thought the same
And ya, I’m not huge on the LW thing. On the other hand, I’m not really one who likes to be mediocore. I fully realize ahead of time what will be required to be a top HW AM, or a pro. Honestly, I don’t know if I want to make that commitment. For me, it would mean even more time away from my job, taking my body to a weight it does not want to go, and to use more drugs than I really desire. I can tell you that right now, I’m not 100% committed to winning worlds strongest man, and I don’t see a point going all the way unless I could commit to that.
However, I could perform well as a LW right now with little to no change on my life. This would satisfy my desire to compete and win. However, as I have stated, I don’t really like the LW thing for strongman especially at my height. Not sure where I will take it from here, all I know is that I love strongman and enjoy competing. Take care bro.
Monopoly
[quote]Dispenser wrote:
Monopoly19 wrote:
Thanks Kalle. I was not really happy about the cut. 10 other guys paid good money to get out and compete in that show and there was never a mention of the cut, that’s the ONLY beef I have with this show. If they were going to, it should have been announced.
Yeah they should’ve announced the cut ahead of time. I don’t even know if cuts are fair, but from the audience point of view, it definitely helped move the event along. At 3 hours in, on a scorcher of a day, even an underdog supporter like me gets a little impatient sitting through the first 5 or so competitors who get poor or no lifts.
And ya, I don’t really want to compete as a LW but I feel like I am pretty close to holding my own in that division. I hate to lose, so I’m really just looking for a way to redeem myself
But who watches the MetRx World’s Strongest Lightweight Man competition?[/quote]
[quote]Monopoly19 wrote:
Hey Dis,
First, ya I was the “leanest guy” in the field. I already knew I was small bro! J/J, thanks. Sorry we didn’t get the chance to meet.
However, I could perform well as a LW right now with little to no change on my life. This would satisfy my desire to compete and win. However, as I have stated, I don’t really like the LW thing for strongman especially at my height. Not sure where I will take it from here, all I know is that I love strongman and enjoy competing. Take care bro.[/quote]
Hah, “small” or not your results speak for themselves. And to me you looked in the most desireable shape of anyone there – athletic and yet still very strong. I forget what they said about you exactly, but a group of teenage boys near me were really impressed that such a lean guy was stronger than many of our local big boys.
I’ve been to two other HI Strongest Men besides this one and got to see Phil Pfister go against Jesse Marunde one year, and see Kevin Nee get his pro card. BTW, you’re basically Kevin Nee’s size. This years event though was by far the largest field. I wonder why so many came out this year? It was pretty awesome to see.
What you said about not changing your lifestyle drastically makes sense. On the plus side, if there are Atlas stones or “Fingal Fingers” type events in LW, your extra height will help you for sure.
I see why you would move down to LW, I think you could do well, there are some other LW’s that are 6’2 that are really good and you weigh right around 250 don’t you? Thats about the cutoff as far as cutting water. Probably be better to weigh 242ish and cut to drop to 231.
The talent level to earn a LW Pro card is pretty tough. Chad Coy’s pro-am has a 600lb deadlift for reps and 350lb farmers walks! The NJ show has a 260+ Log for reps…
Hell you know better than me, didn’t your training partner get 3rd at LW Pro Nationals last year?
Thanks again, that means a bunch to me!
I think so many guys showed because they cut down on the number of shows you can win your pro card. I believe it’s only 3 per year now, so everyone has to show up for them.
Monopoly
[quote]Dispenser wrote:
Monopoly19 wrote:
Hey Dis,
First, ya I was the “leanest guy” in the field. I already knew I was small bro! J/J, thanks. Sorry we didn’t get the chance to meet.
However, I could perform well as a LW right now with little to no change on my life. This would satisfy my desire to compete and win. However, as I have stated, I don’t really like the LW thing for strongman especially at my height. Not sure where I will take it from here, all I know is that I love strongman and enjoy competing. Take care bro.
Hah, “small” or not your results speak for themselves. And to me you looked in the most desireable shape of anyone there – athletic and yet still very strong. I forget what they said about you exactly, but a group of teenage boys near me were really impressed that such a lean guy was stronger than many of our local big boys.
I’ve been to two other HI Strongest Men besides this one and got to see Phil Pfister go against Jesse Marunde one year, and see Kevin Nee get his pro card. BTW, you’re basically Kevin Nee’s size. This years event though was by far the largest field. I wonder why so many came out this year? It was pretty awesome to see.
What you said about not changing your lifestyle drastically makes sense. On the plus side, if there are Atlas stones or “Fingal Fingers” type events in LW, your extra height will help you for sure.[/quote]
I think I could cut to 231 right now. It would be tough, but it could be done. Most of the top LW guys right now are doing about the same, which really sucks for a true LW.
And ya, there are some REALLY strong guys in the LW division. I do use my partner as a gauge. He did get 3rd last year with a severly bulged disk. We both think he has a shot to win this year. His pull and overhead are better than mine, but we are pretty damn close on many of the other typical events.
That show of Coy’s is freakin sick!
Monopoly
[quote]Kalle wrote:
I see why you would move down to LW, I think you could do well, there are some other LW’s that are 6’2 that are really good and you weigh right around 250 don’t you? Thats about the cutoff as far as cutting water. Probably be better to weigh 242ish and cut to drop to 231.
The talent level to earn a LW Pro card is pretty tough. Chad Coy’s pro-am has a 600lb deadlift for reps and 350lb farmers walks! The NJ show has a 260+ Log for reps…
Hell you know better than me, didn’t your training partner get 3rd at LW Pro Nationals last year?[/quote]