It has taken me a couple days to recover and be able to get enough words to describe how this meet went for me.
1st hurdle was I needed to cut water weight. No problem, I've done it before and I can do it again. Water load then re-load successful and I dropped 12 lbs of water and made weight no problem.
My goal going into this meet initially was to have fun and use it as an experience as my first single ply meet. Then I soon switched gears and goals as my numbers started to increase. I decided my goal was to obtain my Elite total in equipped lifting to be able to compete at the Arnold's XPC finals in March of 2018. I knew that all I had to do was hit my openers and I was qualified for the Arnold's.
Having a big goal like that puts a ton of pressure on a person, I was having anxiety on meet day. I could not get my breath deep into my chest that morning so I used a lot of "Wake Up Mother F$&KER" smelling salts!
The day was fast, I was in the am session, 3rd flight second last squatter of the morning but the flights were getting done in 30 mins. Being my first meet in a squat suit I was anxious about warm ups and timing but my handler(s) kept me as calm as they could and I just started to trust them and the process.
SQUATS - Warm ups felt great, nice and smooth and light with no pain. Always a sign you want to feel from your body at a meet.
430 Lb Opener 3 white lights
445 Lb Second attempt 3 white lights (first time ever having more than 436 lbs on my back so this was a PR for me)
460 Lb Third attempt - the unrack felt lighter than the first, this is going to be golden, down, down, down, up it flew! 2 white lights! That's all I needed, this was an all time squat PR of 80 lbs from my best ever raw and in my suit a 24 lb PR from my training. Whew, I can breath now. I'm in the meet and I left some on the platform with my squats.
BENCH, ah, the dreaded bench press. The most difficult thing I have ever done is learn how to bench in a shirt, so I was so nervous but kept my composure.
250 Lb Opener 3 White Lights (Now I'm in the meet)
255 Lb Second attempt 3 White Lights ! (Ken asked me if I wanted to waive my third, hell no I said)
265 Lb Third attempt 3 White Lights ! This is EPIC for me!
I was on cloud 9 going into my favourite lift, deadlifts. I had already gone 6/6 and set so many records my head was spinning. I decided about a month ago I was going to deadlift raw as I wasn't getting much out of my suit except in the wrong position. My deadlifts are raw old lady power!
I'm sitting waiting my turn and fatigue set in. My last warm up felt heavy as hell. It was taking so long and I was so tired I looked at Ken and asked him if I should lower my opener. (NO he said, just pull it)
DEADLIFTS
430 Lb Opener 3 White Lights (The meet counts and I'm now qualified for the Arnold's) I have two more goals, wait for it!
445 Lb Second Attempt 3 White Lights and it was smooth and clean. (My goal was to clean up this weight, last time I pulled this much I got red lighted for hitching, not this time)
455 Lb Third Attempt and I was sure I had it with how easy the 445 felt. I got up to the bar, set up the same but when I pulled back my hips went to low and I knew as soon as I started to pull I was out of position, damn it. I got it to just below my knees and ran out of gas.
Going 8 for 9 lifts with only 1 red light all day I could not be happier. An 1170 lb total, 1st place and setting 8 world records, 4 open, 4 masters, 8 national records, 4 open, 4 masters and qualifying for the Arnold's XPC finals was monumental for me in my first experience lifting on a platform in single ply gear. Again, I have overcome adversity, last January I was told I needed a knee replacement and yet here I am, still going strong. Of all the lifts I am most proud it's the 460 lb squat.
I now need to give a huge shout out to my main handler, my main man, my training partner, my life partner and Coach/Hubby Ken Whetham. I could not have done any of this alone and without the encouragement, love, support and patience from Ken. I would not be a successful lifter today. So Ken, from the bottom of my heart, I hope today I made you proud. Thank you, I am very fortunate to have you in all my corners. xo
Next shout out to my "Team Outlaw". You can't train alone in this sport, no way, no how, especially in equipment. We are very fortunate to have a strong team environment and big thanks go to each and every member of Team Outlaw for being a part of this journey. Especially to the the doctor on our Team Dr. Ken Kinakin. Thank you for the treatments and keeping me together in once piece!
A couple extra special shout outs:
First to Matt Brass for being there for me all day as my second handler, we all know you can't have enough handlers. From calling my depth and my bench commands to helping me warm up, keeping me calm and safe and spotting me. Matt your commands were spot on, I trusted you and you were there for me when I needed you during training and all day today. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that.
Secondly, Jamie Don. My third handler today, Jamie you have been a huge part of my success on that platform today. Since you started training with Ken and I this year late spring you have been the training partner everyone should have. You helped my grow as an individual, you identified my weaknesses and helped me get stronger. You encouraged me week after week and Identified potential in me that I never knew I had. Your one of the biggest assets this team has ever gained. Thank you Jamie, I am very blessed to have crossed paths with you, thank you for taking the time to come to the meet and support me.
Next the biggest shout out to my IRON SISTERS, Brianna for taking my video's today, your continued love and support and watching you grow as a lifter is priceless to me, thank you. Jaynie White, for your love, support, cheering and always being a positive influence in the lifting community with the Wharehouse Crew, you and Grove are a "Power Couple" and thanks for all you do! Carri Chillingworth another training partner in crime, thanks for pushing me on those Tuesday nights when I wanted to give up! Andrea Harris for alway making me feel worthy and being by my side when I needed a friend.
Also the Team Outlaw members who took the drive to Kingston to personally support me, Barry, Val & Baby Victoria and Dan Bruce. I appreciate your support more than you know!
One more shout out then I'm finished I promise. To Gene and Amy for travelling to Canada and hosting an amazing event. Even though it was the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend there was a great turn out of over 80 lifters. Scott MacDiarmid the Canadian RPS guy who made it happen, thank you!
Being apart of Team Elitefts and the ability to Live Learn and pass on through experiences like this is an amazing opportunity for me. So thanks to Dave and Traci Tate for allowing me as an athlete to represent you, I hope today I made you proud.
#teamelitefts #teamoutlaw #livelearnpasson
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