So last Saturday, 10/9/10, was my second competition after about 5 months of training. The contest was run by Will Engellener of Body's Best Supplements. The contest was run pretty well, there were some rough spots though. I didn't have any specific complaints, but there was some stuff i would have ran differently. But of course I'm a little more anally retentive that most of the population, but it's whatever. I was the youngest of 10 competitors competing in the lightweight class (<231 lbs.). I learned a lot from this contest, both about technique and adjustments that need to be made to my training.
1st event- 200# Log Press for Reps (Clean once)
I was so ready going into this event, I couldn't wait to get the competition started. I finally took a look at the log, and it was to my surprise that it was our 90# log we used for training. I guess they came and picked up our log as well as one of our stones that Sean made. Seeing a log I was comfortable with really calmed me down, as i was very amped up before the event. I got the ready signal from the judge, heard the whistle and cleaned the log to my shoulders straight away, no problem. I decided to go with a split-jerk for this event, since i have found that it has helped me with a majority of my pressing. I got four reps right from the start, and i thought i was doing great. I went to go press the fifth, and i couldn't quite get it up. I set it back down, took a breath, and cleaned it one more time. As soon as i cleaned it, i realized that i was gassed. Not only was my conditioning sub-par, but when i cleaned it, my hands rolled too far forward and to press it i would have had to use straight triceps, and i knew that wasn't happening. I went for one more rep and missed it, and set it down just before time expired. Four reps on this event, taking second last place. The winner ended up getting 17, so i guess my 7 would have been nowhere near good enough.
2nd event- 220# farmers for 100', turn at 50'
I was confident going into this event, as i have done 260# for nearly this far. The only problem i saw with this event were the farmers handles, as they didn't have any knurling to help with grip. I was up second in this event, but i wasn't worried, i knew my foot speed would help carry me through. I took my grip, heard the whistle and had an excellent pick straight into top gear. I had no problem with my grip because i chalked up really good, i was feeling great. I was heading into the turn, and i guess i was going a little too fast, as i began to make my turn the implements had a lot of momentum, and i almost knocked over the keg marking the turn. It was rough, but i made it through. I then turned up the speed for the final stretch, right before i realized the weight was still getting whipped around from the turn. The weight was nearly perpendicular with my path of motion, causing me to almost trip and fall flat on my face. I dropped them, very frustrated. I tried my best to readjust them, as i heard the MC, Zach Gallman, screaming "PICK NOW" right next to my ear, i listened to him, and i fixed them just enough to finish with out a problem. I took 3rd last in this event, but i don't remember my time because i was too frustrated after my drop.
3rd event- 135# Circus Dumbbell Press for reps
I was happy to see that the weight for the event had changed from what it was advertised, 140#. It was only five pounds, but that could have been the difference between one rep or no reps. We were using a 12" slater monsterbell, and it was f*&#^ing massive. We got a chance to warm up with it just before we went, and i got it to my shoulder no problem, i just had a problem feeling comfortable with it. During the event i had the same problem, i cleaned it, but couldn't find the right balance. There was only one attempt where i felt i got it in the right position, i pressed it, but lost balance right near the top. I would say that i got it about 7/8 of the way up. I was pretty upset with my performance, but there wasn't much i could do about it. I tied for last in this event, 0 reps. But i would sure as hell love to train with one of those monsterbells, it was pretty damn enjoyable getting to try one out. Thank you Steve Slater.
4th event- Keg carry (140,170,200) for 50 feet
I knew my fate was pretty much sealed before this event, but i figured i'd give it all i had anyways...Plus there was still the prize for first place in the event. There was one thing that i knew would help me in this event, and that was my speed. I was never the fastest kid around back in the day, but compared to some of the muscle-bound competitors i was going up against, i might as well have been Usain Bolt. I Started the event, and i had no problem with any of the kegs, so i knew i finished with a decent time. I got timed at 31.82, which was good enough for 5th place. i was a little disappointed, but not too dissatisfied. Plus I beat Sean, so that made it even better.
After the first four events, we had a break at which point we and the audience were allowed to test our grip strength on some interesting stuff. They had a 50 pound blob, a 170 rolling thunder, and a CoC crusher, i think #1. I couldn't do the blob or thunder, but it was fun trying them. As for the rest of the contest, the top 5 in each weight division snagged a spot in the finals, and i was holding it steady in ninth place. There were two events in the finals, a 450# deadlift reps (in which i would have taken last place, with a high score of zero reps), and a tire/stone/sled medley. I had no idea what the weights were for the medley, but it looked really easy.
That about wraps it up for me and the steel valley contest. I'm just gonna get back to training and hit the weights even harder. I've realized what i can and can't do after my first two contests. Here is what i'm going to work on over the next couple contests.
1. Conditioning- I'm gonna start doing some interval sprints and stuff, as well as light, steady-state cardio. I might be able to lift heavy stuff, but if i can't do it more than once, whats the use?
2. Overall strength- My gym lifts aren't any where near they need to be for my body weight if i want to be successful. Right now im looking at somewhere around 300/215/415 for my squat, bench, and deadlift, and i think thats pretty pathetic. I'd like to have 450/315/550 with a 300 log/axle by next April. That's quite a shot, but i think i can do it.
3. Farmer Carries- I've done work with the 260# farmer tanks, but i'd really like to be able to take 300# for 100' with a turn. My grip strength shouldn't need much adjusting (i like training it though, so i'll still hammer it) but i really need to work on my picks. I need to work on my upper back strength, so i'll beat down on my traps with lots of shrugs, rows, and chin-ups.
4. Flexibility/Mobility- One thing that i have never really tried to work on was my flexibility. As i research more and more, i realize that flexibility and mobility will help all of my lifts. Maybe i'll be able to touch my toes sometime soon, i hope.
That sums it up, but theres a good chance i left something out. As for my next contest, i'm shooting for the First Annual Thanksgiving Classic, held by professional strongman, Nick Courtad. It has a log for reps, max deadlift, crucifix hold, carry and prowler medley, and stone for reps. I've never done a crucifix hold, so i'll be working on that until then. As for my bodyweight, i plan on staying around 230, possibly bulking a little. I'm not sure if i want to try and cut for teen nationals next year, or just let my weight travel as it wants, and go heavyweight hoping that i'm strong enough to place.
I just realized I wrote a short novel, so i'll end it right about now. Light overhead on Thursday.
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