So where the H-E-Double Hockey sticks have i been? I have not given up on this log by any means. Since the last time i wrote:
-Saw a RMT for an appointment. She did a decent job on the Rhomboid /Upper back area. Good enough i decided to go ahead with the Bench Meet.
-Went to the Bench Meet only to pull out of the competition during warm ups because some odd was going on in my shoulder. I got pinned under 185 lbs and then 135 lbs, so i decided it was better to walk away mostly healthy so that i can Smash Fucking Weights 20 July.
The Toronto Super Show -IPA Powerlifting Meet - Bench Only
The days leading up the super show my trg was still just simple Range of Motion and Blood flow work. To keep my Upper back loose and not let it stiffen to much. The same goes for the rest of my body. Nothing really worth writing down because it was of no long term consequence ( i say that now but i am sure one day). I also spent a lot of time in the sauna the week of the show. Not because i was worried about weight but mostly because i found it relaxing and seemed to assist my back getting in the sauna and alternating with Cold showers.
Now I decided to do this PL Meet for a variety of reasons.
1. Keep my ACL recovery focused. Even though a Bench Only meet doesn't directly help my leg it keeps my overall training focused. Which in turn benefits my Knee /Leg. lack of focus /lack of direction is something i have felt a lot of these past few days. (LTTS and this Meet were 2 big marker posts since Dec /Jan) So at the end of the day doing this meet was not about fucking myself up further but something to keep on a path.
2. I wanted to do an actual PL Meet where i had to go through all the steps. You can't truly call yourself a PL unless you compete (I have heard that somewhere, a few times, from pretty much every high level guy in PL. Matt Kroc i think even said it at the LLTS )
3. The stress, focus, and intensity that any competition brings i feel is very healthy. It helps push self imposed barriers. Creates an opportunity to learn about ourselves mentally and physically. This is something I have not put myself through in some time. Doing this meet was a good way for me to push myself and test myself. If you aren't trying to find your personal limits you really are not trying hard enough in life. This was my true first PL meet. i had done a small gym meet. But this was a full on sanctioned meet in front of a crowd of people.
I was stressed going into the meet. I had all the normal mental stages to go through. I had self doubt. I had thoughts of tearing a Tricep and coming away injured (fear). Most of this was driven by the unknown. This was a first. But i tried to remain even keel and relaxed despite what was going on in my head. I was ready to hit the numbers i wanted to hit.
Numbers which really at the end of the day are for me and no one else.
I have been accused of over thinking /Analyzing things from time to time. As well as under estimating my potential from time to time. But my preparation is mine alone. Don't under cut me or doubt my logic.
I got to go through all the steps except for one giant one. Going from the Chalk Bowl to the Bar. Getting to the event went semi-smooth. I weighed in Shorts on at 104.3 Kilos. My gear was checked and signed off. While standing in line i met a Canadian Veteran of Canadian Powerlifting (25 yrs) Mark Griffin. Super nice guy. He was there to do all 3 lifts and go on to represent Canada at the Pan-Ams. He encouraged me to start my own PL Club and even offered to stop in sometime and help me lift if he was in town. There was also a few Crossfit guys there to do Bench Only as well. But overall the experienced guys were all super friendly and helpful. After registering i went up stairs and got my Bench Heights. Then i went and got changed.
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| My Girl was super excited about the Lemur! |
Now when i got up Sunday Morning i did have to heat my back but considering how it had felt earlier in the week it was in the 80% range or so i thought. I started warming up with the bar, No issues. I stretching and rolled on the Lax ball a little to work some more upper back stiffness out.
I got under 135 lbs not thinking i needed a spotter. I did my set up as i was taught 2 weeks previous. Un-racked the bar and lowered it. Slow and under control. When i went to press my left arm /shoulder lost tightness about 4 inches from my chest and the bar did loop de-loop on the way up. That was the first sign something was off. One of the older guys even came over and said if i needed a spot to simply ask. I said yes for sure, but what had just happened was no where near normal for me.
I took some more time to roll out and stretch. Decided to try 185 lbs. This time i asked for a spot. i warned the spotter of the potential problem. This time i lower 185 lbs no issues. Go to press and NOTHING. I was Pinned. Spotter pulled it off and asked what my opened was. I told him A lot more than that. He suggested i drop it.
I went out and talked to my girl and my friend who had come along to watch. I talked about pulling out but then decided to drop my opener. Just to get at least one in. So i went to the table and dropped the opener to 185 lbs.
Went back to the warm up room. Really tried to warm up the rear delt and get things activated. I tried 135 lbs again. Thinking if i can at least rep this out a few times i can Smash 185. Nope. Pinned AGAIN. This is when i knew something was wrong. So I went back to the Table and called it.
I talked to a few of the experienced guys. One guy said he had gone to the Pan-Ams one time only to have to pull out. They said it was a good move. No reason to really fuck myself up and have to go to the hospital when i knew something was off.
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| Not how i am going to fix this. |
I have another Bench meet 20 July. Lots of time to Rehab and get things back under control. Tomorrow i will cover today's Visit with the Physio Therapist.
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| Keep Moving Forward, Keep Getting Strong(er) |
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