Happy Earth Day!
Get out there and enjoy the sunshine! I love you, Earth.
Powerlifting for Pink
Do you ever say something publicly and immediately wish you could take it back? After posting last Monday’s blog about my plans for cutting weight and breaking records at the powerlifting meet this weekend, that little bitch in the back of my head started nagging at me. Self-Doubt Sally, we’ll call her.
I wasn’t sure I could make weight. I never worry about my weight. I don’t deprive myself and I’m not good at starving myself. Would I have the willpower to hold out and drop the four pounds I needed to shed?
I wasn’t sure I could actually back squat, bench press or deadlift more than the state records, under the added pressure of a meet setting, all eyes on me, and following judge’s commands. Would I crack under the pressure? Would I feel strong after cutting weight?
But I’d already put it out there, on the blog and on the goals board in the gym. I told you guys I was going to make weight and set some records, and there was no taking that back. So what are you gonna do about it, Lis? You can listen to Sally or you can step your game up, clear your head, lift heavy weight and have some fun.
I made weight. In fact, I had plenty of room to spare. I weighed in Saturday morning at 8:40 at 142 pounds. Then I refueled. I would later regret the vigor with which I refueled, as an upset stomach would plague me for the entire meet.
I set three state records – in the back squat (130 kg/286#), the deadlift (155 kg/341#) and the total (combined score of squat+bench press+deadlift= 350 kg/770#). The back squat and deadlifts were new PRs. I won my weight class as well as the Best Lifter award.
Perhaps the best prize was the $20 I won off Dyer. Going for my 2nd bench press attempt (I’d missed my 1st), I was nervous and frustrated about my form, not sure I could lift the weight (you’re not allowed to backpedal/go down from your starting weight, and I was worried we’d decided to start too heavy). Dyer knew I was stressed and broke the ice by offering me 20 bucks if I made the lift. Cash. So I went out there and took that fool’s money. 🙂
I also missed my 3rd bench press attempt and my 2nd deadlift. It came down to my last deadlift attempt… my last lift of the meet, to set two state records, make a new PR and win the meet. No pressure.
After I missed my 2nd deadlift, I went outside and puked, got some fresh air, adjusted my belt, and I got mad at the bar. I made the lift. HOORAY!
Self-Doubt Sally reared her ugly head several times. Each time, I reminded myself of what I came to do. I was proud and honored to have so many friends there to cheer me on. Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. Especially Dyer. Thanks Coach!
State record back squat
My cheering section: P-Lane, Anastasiya, Dyer, Ian, Lindsay
With Coach Dyer & my awards – Gold medal in the 67.5 kg class & Best Female Lifter. Not pictured: Dyer’s $20 or the case of Kill Cliff I also won.
Workout of the Day (WOD)
A. Muscle-ups: As many reps as possible in 10 minutes OR 10 minutes skill practice
B. As many rounds & reps as possible in 20 minutes:
400m run
12 burpees
100-second plank hold
And coming tomorrow…
A. Power snatch: 4-5 reps, every 2 minutes for 5 rounds
B. Four rounds, every 5 min:
B1. 12-16 reps of Back Squat @2211 tempo, 15sec rest
B2. 3-5 reps of weighted pull ups @2112 tempo OR 3-5 pull up negatives
Couldn't be more proud of the way you performed on Saturday, Lis! I now know how Chuck Daly must've felt when he coached the 1992 Dream Team in Barcelona – not much to do except make sure the players show up for the game. Thanks for letting me be a part of it – quite an honor.
It took a ton of psychological fortitude for Lis to win that meet. Mentally, she had to shift between basically being in a competition by herself due to dominating the squat, to worrying about bombing out of the meet on the bench press due to an overly aggressive opening attempt call (my fault), then all of a sudden being in a dog fight for the gold medal, state deadlift record, total record, AND setting a qualifying total for nationals (not sure if Lis was aware of that last one during meet b/c I wasn't about to add that to pile of pressure already on her before her last deadlift attempt). As impressive as the amount of weight she lifted was, the most impressive thing was the way she came back after missed attempts. TWICE in the same meet, she HAD to make lifts that she had previously missed in order to win. That's gotta be some kind of record as well or at least very rare.
Thanks Dyer! It was an exhausting day, but I really appreciate all your coaching & motivation. Now plan a Disney World vacation for the family in July, BECAUSE WE’RE GOING TO NATIONALS IN ORLANDO!!!