The Big Day!!

The culmination of the past several weeks took place yesterday. It was my first Powerlifting meet. Something I never thought I would do - not in 100 billion years! I have never been an athlete, or even really athletically inclined. ....and yet, at age 42, I find myself in my first powerlifting competition, and actually winning my first trophy.

I've been living the last several weeks in denial that this was really gonna happen. Silly, I know, especially since I was doing the training for it, but it's just a game I play in my mind - and most of the time it works fairly well.

Yesterday, morning, I got up, showered, got dressed, then made myself a spinach, egg and feta scramble, then packed up some jerky and blueberries. A pretty typical morning....although, today, Patty picks me up. For the most part I was calm about the upcoming shenanigans, well, at least calm, until we got there. While we were waiting for this whole thing to start, Jonathan took Patty out, to distract her......I sat for about 5 minutes, then suddenly had to move, the nervous energy had popped into gear and I just couldn't sit there. Walked around a bit - then looked into the audience - there was the family. Mom, Dad, Paul, Mary, Mike, Sean......everyone. I went up to talk them, then suddenly, the whole thing overwhelmed me - nerves, the fact that they were all there to see me...(?), I just don't really know what all popped up, but it manifested itself in tears. Yep - there I was - tough girl. Standing in my ridiculous singlet, getting ready to lift a whole lotta weigh, and I was suddenly weeping. Sometimes, it sucks being a girl - and even worse, a girl that weeps when her stress level hits a certain point.....OY! Talk about feeling like a complete boob! (and of course that makes it even worse...so it's just an ugly, vicious circle!)

Finally, it's time to start. The squats were starting. Patty went first. Unfortunately the first round or so, I wasn't exactly what you would call uber-supportive of my fellow first timers - this was primarily because I was afraid if I said anything, the tears would start again (once they start - there is a certain timeframe that speaking is off limits if you ever want them to stop). Patty walked right up there and just rocked it, the Melissa nailed hers, and JC got his. My turn. Amazingly, once you get up there, it wasn't bad. It was far easier to tune out the whole world watching than I ever would have thought it would be. I did my first squat - 215. Apparently the depth was very borderline - possibly even, not quite quite there, but they gave it to me anyway. Second time up, I did 225. This time was better, although, I almost got redlighted again - this time the judge warned me to wait to rack until he said rack. DUH! Last round I went with 235, my current PR. This time, I hit my depth and actually waited for the judge to say rack. I realized I did this, and kind of wanted to give him the ol' high 5 - because I actually remembered. I wanted to - but I didn't actually do it, instead, I leaned over, with a big old shit-eatin' grin on may face and said "Woo-Hoo, I remembered to wait!!" I think this was about the point that I finally started to relax and actually enjoy myself.

Bench Press came next. We warmed up a bit, not as much as usual, and my highest warmup weight was 95. My starting weight was 140. I wasn't 100% sure on this one. I knew I shouldn't have any problem with it, but I didn't really feel warmed up by the time I got up there, and I just wasn't sure how long the pause would be. Silly me. Once I got up there - the 140 wasn't a problem. The pause was nice and short, much shorter than we'd been practicing. It actually felt good. Next round we went with 155, which again is my current PR, should be able to match it - and I did. Not too bad! It must have looked pretty strong, because when having to give the weight for round 3 - we upped the ante. Went to 165. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What was I thinking?? Actually, I think that was the problem, on round 3, I thought about the weight. That pretty much set off a chain reaction. My set up didn't feel quite right, then I brought the weight down - tried to bring it up - moved it maybe an inch - if that.....and nothing. It didn't drop back down, but it sure didn't go up! Drats! That's ok - at least I matched the PR, and I was going for 10 lbs more, which on bench is the equivalent of about 50 on anything else.

Deadlifts came up next, and these were the the most fun. I'm not certain why - but it was definitely a good time! When I got up there forthe first round, they called for another bar - and proceeded to put on the big gold plates. ZOIKS! That's only for super heavy things - the gold ones weigh 100 lbs each!! For some reason, I just didn't think I was gold plate worthy - apparently I was wrong. I started at 265, which was no problem. Second round 285 - again, it was pretty darn easy - shockingly so, for what really is alot of weight. Then round 3. As we were up trying to decide on the weight for this one, we were looking at the sheet and one of the judges recommended 140kg. - I looked at the sheet, and thought it said that equated to about 315 - but I wasn't sure. 315- would have been a big PR but I had that number in my head. Because the weight was 300 or more, I grabbed the weight belt. As it was time for me to put it on, we were suddenly notified that the person who was supposed to go ahead of me wasn't going to do a last lift. Jinkies, I better hurry!! I grabbed the assistance of Jonathan - I thought we were going with the first hole - nope - he said let's go with #2. Ummm..ok - is it ok if I can't breathe?? I walked up to the bar, and my eyes must have been bulging as much as my belly on either side of the belt. The judge looked at me and just said - take in all your air before you start....so I did. I don't know if it was the belt, the need to take the belt off, the awareness of the blub hanging over and under the belt, or just the need to breathe, but that was the easiest 300 I've ever lifted!! After I set the bar down, I went running over to Jonathan hands high in the air, running through my head was "I can't speak, get this thing offa me!!" Jonathan high 5's me, then realizes what I am really trying to say, and proceeds to help me get out of the belted contraption. This was actually, a very funny moment - at least I think so. As it turns out, 140 kg - is actually only 308 - so 3 lbs over my previous PR, and not the 315 that I thought it was, but that's ok.

In the end, and overall - this was a great experience - despite the stress and tears in the beginning. It's something I never thought I would ever do - and yet, I did it, and did it pretty well, I think, for a first timer. A big thanks for the help and encouragement to Jonathan, Patty and the whole DEFY! gang....and to my family, it turns out it was pretty cool having everyone there! Have I mentioned that I have a pretty darn great family?? The whole experience was good enough that I would consider doing it again - although next time, I will NOT be in the heavyweight division, if it kills me I will be outta there!