Had a great day at the meet in Lake George. I was nervous because I did not feel prepared for the squat. I kept thinking - I was only going to do a push/pull..what was I thinking...I'm not ready to squat...my training last weekend was poor...I was very nervous, slept poorly...Ross told me to open low in the squat, treat it like a training meet...don't worry about the squat, you came to do the bench and deadlift, but might as well get a total. This helped relieve some of the pressure I was putting on myself.

So, the squat ended up going well. I opened with 425, went to 465 (which was mediocre) Ross told me to be aggressive with the third, take it down low and if you don't come up, you don't come up - but don't come up early - you don't want a gift. Five hundred was my most solid of the three. I was very pleased. Sebastien Burns was back spotting me and when I started to get a little stuck on the way up he told me head back...then I came right out of it instead of letting it push my back down. (Sebastien was very encouraging throughout the day to me and many of the lifters - he always is cheering you on, giving great advice.

Ross and Shawna helped Joanick and I throughout the day. Shawna handled me the most with the details...Ross wrapped my knees into knots (sure to take you out of any hole you might find yourself)...the day would not have been the same without Ross, Shawna and Joanick - again, although we were small, we were a force all day - Ross was helping other lifters, but never lost focus for Joanick and I - as always I was proud to be Metal Militia Montreal, proud of our coaching, attention to detail, professionalism, sportsmanship, friendliness, spirit, love for the sport...

Anyway, back to the lifts. Bench was solid - opened with 250 - easy. 280 flew up faster than ever. Then the great Janet Faraone convinced Ross to go to 305 instead of the planned 300 (her reasoning was - you've done that!!). 305 was solid. Then the infamous Bill Crawford even weighed in - told Ross I should do a fourth attempt - 315. We decided not to - to save myself for the deadlift.

I pause again...the meet was longer than it needed to be and not as organized as we are used to...but I can say that the people directly invovled with the lifters went beyond themselvees to help ensure we were safe and that every attempt was important.

The deadlift. I have been trying some bigger deadlifts in the gym, but decided to lower my opener from the planned 400 to 375 to secure my squat and bench. So I went 375, 425, 450. I considered trying 475 as a fourth, but with fading energy (it was now 7pm...after starting the day at 10am) Ross said you have had a great day - you can do 475, but if you miss it, thats what you will remember - maybe you should be happy with the day and walk away with this feeling. He was right again. 

In sum - 1255 total (first time I broke 1200); 500 squat - more solid than pro-am in May; 305 bench - coming along; 450 deadlift - more to come.

Joanick had a tough day - but he handled it like a pro, learning every step of the way.

The day was special because Kuma was in the gym all day - trolling through the audience for food; sleeping peacefully while the speakers vibrated through the cool hall. We stayed at the hotel - Kuma had a ball - elevator rides, going from bed to bed. 

The day was special because of the support from Ross, Shawna and Joanick. 

Finally, the day was special because I know there is more to come -