Baystate Competition

Well, the competition has come and gone.  I think it went rather well. 

Weigh in was supposed to start at 1, so we went over at about 1:15 and then sat there til 1:45 or so waiting for someone from the organization to come into the room to weigh us. All 17 of us 85+ kg lifters just sat around and shot the shit with each other till the one guy showed up.

We were supposed to start lifting at 3, so we started at 4:30 or so. After we started, it went pretty well. We all got scolded when someone had the audacity to bleed on the bar. Oh the bars, if you have no lifted on an Eleiko bar, you really should. The difference is amazing, it spins so beautifully. Starting your third pull is just a brilliant thing. 

Snatches were... eventful. First attempt at 88 was too far forward, but I walked it out. 90 was too far backwards, but I dropped deeper into my squat and locked it out. Two ugly lifts. Third one though, oh, the third one was what you look for in a lift. It felt beautiful. 92 never felt so solid. Sadly, that is the only lift my lady friend did not video tape. Gods bless her. 

Clean and jerks were far too light. I sold myself short here. I wanted to go 6 for 6, I said that. Coach J told me to. Coach Everett says to do it. So, I did it. But, I went really low on my first attempt at 108. I literally stood up with the bar and threw it over my head with ease. Second attempt was 110. Still pretty easy. By this point, I was getting upset with myself. My books said to go for 112... I went up to 114 just to get a little more difficult. Still easy. The jerk was a bit challenging, but that's it. Just challenging. 

I should have gone heavier, but as it stands, I hit my gym total in a legit competition. I went 6 for 6 with my lift attempts. And I had an amazing time. The camaraderie with gained amongst the other lifters was awesome. Having some folks from our gym come out to cheer for us was just a great show of support. I can't thank my coaches and the lady enough. I had a great time and I can't wait for the next one. 

Pre Competition

It's the day before my competition. Trying to take it easy, thankfully I'm not exactly nervous. I've been through a few cross fit competitions, so I'm used to the idea of competing in front of people. I'm not entirely sold on the idea of competing in my singlet, but I'll get over it.

I'm no where near my weight limit, so I'm not at all worried about that. I'm at like 200, and the weight classes are 187 and 207. There was no way I was dropping so much to get to 187, pretty easy decision.

I plan on going for 88/90/92 kilos for the snatch and 108/112/116 for the clean and jerk. Nothing ground breaking there. I keep hearing that you should shoot for making six of your six attempts at your first meet. I kept thinking that I'd go for it and chase some big numbers, but I think that the safe bet is the best bet here.

So. Go in. Strap into my singlet. Hit my 200 kilo goal. Then go eat some celebratory ice cream. Should be a good day.

2014/07/09

It was a long week. Was only in the gym for one real workout because work was a real stressor this whole week. But, really wanted to get in one good workout before the weekend.

Today, we benched. It was hilarious. Haven't benched in ages. We were working heavy triples to a 3RM. Got up to a comfortable set at 225. Then could only get 2 good reps at 235. Nice to know I can still rep two plates though.

WoD was a burner.
7 AMRAP
4 hang cleans
5 chest to bar pull ups
6 clapping push ups
Rest 7 minutes then...
Do it all over again.

Had to switch to ring rows halfway through the second round. Hands were slipping on the bar and I wanted nothing to do with a torn hand before this competition. Either way, got 6+11 and 6+13. Then promptly laid down and wanted to die.

2014/07/06

Today was a nice quiet morning in the gym. I wanted to get in as it was a week out from my competition. Lady friend went out on a run, so I had the place to myself. That means heavy metal and heavy weights.

Worked up in weights to three singles at a weight between my first and second attempts for 3x1. So, an 88 kilo snatch and a 113 kilo clean and jerk. Both felt extremely comfortable and I'm liking my attempts going into the competition.

Did a few sets of front squats to kill time afterwards. Worked up to a triple at 125 kilos. Nice and easy. Just spent the whole day with weights that were heavy but comfortable. Building that confidence layer.

Nutrition Challenge End

Another nutrition challenge had ended. I enjoy these things, I tend to always do the same thing. I lose 10-15 pounds and then gain back 75% with in the next few weeks after it. The lady friend and I are going to try and change that this time.

The challenges are all super strict paleo for an extended amount of time. The problem with that it's that it's hard to keep up that life style in the real world. So, we're planning on doing like an 80/20 deal. I think we're going with two or three cheat meals a week. Hopefully that will induce further weight stabilization for me and weight growth for her.

Anywho, my results for the challenge from 06/09 - 07/03 we're:

Neck : 15.5" >> 15.5"
Chest : 43.5"  >> 40"
Waist : 37.5" >> 36"
Weight : 205 >> 195

Over all, was a pretty good challenge. Lost a lot of mass off my back and chest. Photos look pretty good for progress, can see changes in non flexed body shots. May post later.

2014/07/04

Did the second benchmark from our nutrition challenge today. Improved on two of the three categories, kind of odd that I didn't improve on the third.

Double Unders in 3 minutes
113 >> 136

Plank Hold
2:10 >> 1:36

2 Pood KB Swings
30 >> 36

I apparently have a really weak core. The plank started hurting almost immediately and instead of arch to beat my time, I just dropped. My favorite improvement was the double understanding. I hit 48 in a row right out of the gate. After that it was just strings of 10-20, which is the normal amount I can string together.

2014/07/02

Today was the first benchmark test for our gym's challenge. Will post results from the weigh in when I remember them.

Workout was :
600m run
25 pull ups
10 hang thrusters at 135

My calf cramped about halfway through the run, made things a little difficult. Also started doing regular thrusters instead of these weird hanging ones... Besides all that, still took 22 seconds off my first time and finished in 4:38.
Butter fly pull ups really do just destroy your time on workouts. I go through all 25 in like 40 seconds. That's just silly. They are no doubt terrible for your shoulders, but their risk reward is pretty high when you want a better time.