jonke05
04-28-2009, 09:07 AM
I participated in my first meet this past weekend (APF Texas State (242, 40-44)), and have to start out by saying that I have not met a nicer bunch of folks than were competing this past weekend. While everyone was rushing around getting gear on, warm ups, etc...they did not hesitate to lend a hand as well as advice. As an older first-timer, it was greatly appreciated.
Nonetheless, I'll start out by stating that lifting in my gym is NOTHING like lifting at a meet...I was even convinced that they had "overfed" the weights...Also, I discovered why eating a good breakfast is important to your success at a meet...because I didn't (big lesson learned).
Also, I learned the importance of knowing other folks in your flight...yes, I did my squat warm-up with the flight in front of mine...
So, I get ready for my run at squat and feel weak, etc from not eating, just to realize as I pull the weight out of the rack that:
1. "This isn't my bar"
2. "Hey, this isn't my gym"
2. "Where's my mirror that I use to check my form?"
3. "Hey, where's my "spot" on the wall that I stare at"?
My stance was off, and I figure I forgot everything I knew about squat all in the span of a few seconds. Needless to say I bomb on squat for depth (judge said I was 1/2 an inch high each time). I will be putting covers on the squat rack from now on...there seems to be alot more "feel" required when doing this in an auditorium because the lack of visual cues...Sorry, no video (wife and girls hadn't shown up yet....not that they missed much).
Luckily I had signed up for the bench-only division as well and was able to continue. Regrouping (and eating) helped alot going into bench, however my form was nothing like what it was in training (again, brain-farts). I was able to get my opener at 440, but nothing above that (and my opener was "supposed" to be easy)....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zSlm3a8DuY
The nice folks at the meet let me participate in Deads (for the experience), which I figured would help. Again, hit my opener at 530 and learned the wisdom of taking your time at the bottom set-up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgTYEkfW3yM
All of this to say, "hats off" to those of you for whom the chaos of a meet is normal, boring, and everyday...And now I truly understand why it "doesn't count" until you step-up to the platform.
Well, off to Baton Rouge this weekend for my second meet and another chance to "ride the bull". This time I'll open (for all my lifts) with something that is not easy....but super-easy...now I get it.
Nonetheless, I'll start out by stating that lifting in my gym is NOTHING like lifting at a meet...I was even convinced that they had "overfed" the weights...Also, I discovered why eating a good breakfast is important to your success at a meet...because I didn't (big lesson learned).
Also, I learned the importance of knowing other folks in your flight...yes, I did my squat warm-up with the flight in front of mine...
So, I get ready for my run at squat and feel weak, etc from not eating, just to realize as I pull the weight out of the rack that:
1. "This isn't my bar"
2. "Hey, this isn't my gym"
2. "Where's my mirror that I use to check my form?"
3. "Hey, where's my "spot" on the wall that I stare at"?
My stance was off, and I figure I forgot everything I knew about squat all in the span of a few seconds. Needless to say I bomb on squat for depth (judge said I was 1/2 an inch high each time). I will be putting covers on the squat rack from now on...there seems to be alot more "feel" required when doing this in an auditorium because the lack of visual cues...Sorry, no video (wife and girls hadn't shown up yet....not that they missed much).
Luckily I had signed up for the bench-only division as well and was able to continue. Regrouping (and eating) helped alot going into bench, however my form was nothing like what it was in training (again, brain-farts). I was able to get my opener at 440, but nothing above that (and my opener was "supposed" to be easy)....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zSlm3a8DuY
The nice folks at the meet let me participate in Deads (for the experience), which I figured would help. Again, hit my opener at 530 and learned the wisdom of taking your time at the bottom set-up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgTYEkfW3yM
All of this to say, "hats off" to those of you for whom the chaos of a meet is normal, boring, and everyday...And now I truly understand why it "doesn't count" until you step-up to the platform.
Well, off to Baton Rouge this weekend for my second meet and another chance to "ride the bull". This time I'll open (for all my lifts) with something that is not easy....but super-easy...now I get it.