My 1st meet write-up
South Huron Powerlifting Meet - 6 July 2013
Ontario Powerlifting Association
Preparation
So I did this meet with my training partner/girlfriend Alex. The location is about 5 hours from where we live. We wanted to do a closer one, in Ottawa, but it filled up over a month before. We drove up the night before, got into town about 9pm. I picked up some supplies from Walmart, and got a good night sleep. I 'cut weight' for this meet, but it wasn't much. I was walking around at about 167lbs and I got well under the 162.8 limit with just a little water manipulation and upping my veggies and lowering carbs. Training was going alright up to the meet, I hit my openners the Tuesday before.
I was a big headcase lately, and I sent in the cheques for the meet and the association registration but put the wrong date. So I had to bring cash the morning of.
Weigh-in
Weigh-in was fine, was at like 160. I think their scale was light. We has some scared with the equipment check. I read the rules during the week, but I didn't realize that knee-high socks were mandatory, as well as plain t-shirts. Luckily they let us wear our shirt inside out, and 2 other lifters lent us socks. I also found out that Provincials uses the same qualifying total as Nationals, which I knew would be very difficult for me to do on that day. I thought Provincials used Class III, but it uses Class II.
Everyone we talked to at the meet was very nice. I noticed that the guys talked to Alex a lot more like a fellow athlete, that a little girl. Being around powerlifters was a huge improvement from gym bros.
Squat
Alex and I were in the same flight. Warm-up went fine. I was able to watch Alex's lifts and do my own without much issue. I walked out 157.5kg (346.5lbs) which I've hit for 5 reps before and just destroyed it. I actually thought I was high, but I got 3 white lights and Alex said it was plenty deep. I weight with 170kg (374lbs) which was a 9lb PR and it went up well too. Going big, I thought 175kg (385lbs) would be safe. I got stuck halfway, but the (small) crowd definitely helped me grind through it. I got 3 whites on every squat, which I felt really validated my training and technique.
Bench
My warm-up was not ideal for bench, there were a few too many people sharing 2 benches. I openned at 112.5kg (247.5lbs) and it went up slower than I was expecting (and no video, so it's like it never happened). I originally planned to go to 275lbs to hit a small PR, but went with 122.5kg (269.5lbs) 'to be safe'. I got stuck about half-way up on 269.5 both times. This was a big blow, because it meant I would need to pull 455 to qualify for Nationals
Deadlift
Some of the new friends we made were getting me pumped up for deadlift saying things like "The meet doesn't start until the bar hits the floor" and "PR or ER". I was pretty pumped and got to take my shirt off finally. I discussed the situation with some guys, and we agreed to take a small PR for my 2nd, and then just put 455 on the bar and see what happens. At this point, the most I had pulled was 405 for a double, and I hadn't pulled a single above that so I really had no idea where my DL was gonna be at the meet. I openned at 180kg (396lbs) and destroyed it. MY 2nd attempt would be a moderate PR of 192.5kg (423.5lbs) and it was rough. I came up uneven and thought I would get red-lighted, but I got all 3 white.
I put 207.5kg (456.5) on the bar, because I knew I would regret it if I hit anything less than that, I would have wondered 'what if'. It was a huge grind and I missed. Watching it video, it was MUCH closer than it felt. I thought the bar was 2 inches off the ground. Maybe if I committed to pushing my hips through it would have been close.
Conclusion
6/9 attempts
480kg (1056lbs) total
1st of 3 in the M-O-U 74kg class
Hit 2x 20lb PRs
Improved my lifetime total by 36lbs
Meet PR of 1056lbs!
I really had a great time and am happy to officially be a powerlifter. I am looking forward to continuing to become a part of this fun and dedicated community. Alex won best female lifter with a 572lb total and qualified for Nationals.
