CA State Championships Meet Write Up
The day had huge potential - Scott Mendelson was back spotting, calling depth and handing off on the bench, and it was a supportive and friendly group of lifters. I was nervous about the meet venue and not sure what the atmosphere would be like and it was a great relief that it felt almost like being at Montreal Barbell (except quieter) - Scott's kids were running around (the younger ones) and his oldest daughter was lifting so you could really feel a family vibe....made me wish I had brought Abbie and glad to be there with my dad.
Squat - 424 PR
Warm ups felt good but they were all high; I was nervous. I missed my first attempt (375) on depth so for my 2nd (375) Scott Mendelson called my depth and I got it. My original plan, had I got all 3 attempts, was 375, 413, 440. Ross suggested I jump to 425 next to get closer to my goal for an 1100 lb total. I popped right up with it, Scott called my depth again and I flew right to the top with it - a squat has never felt so good!
Bench - 292 PR
My bench has sucked the last 5 weeks - I haven't been able to bench anything over 250 so it was a crap shot going into the bench. I opened with 253 and muscled it up. Next I went to 270 and my form got a bit better but it was still heavy as hell. Third attempt was the nicest bench of the three; I was able to find my line and ride the shirt the whole way down and then back up again. I was elated!
The two inconsistent lifts went great and all I needed was a 385 deadlift for an 1100 Total - what a great day!
Deadlift - WTF?!
I blew up from the heat and lifting and after 15 min I still couldn't get my briefs on. I was second in the deadlift flight. The only warm up I did was a plate raw. My briefs weren't up all the way, I was struggling to get my suit on, and they were calling me "45 secs to get to the bar"....got to the bar and couldn't get myself down (my briefs weren't up and they were pitching me forward). Finally I jammed myself down there but didn't have a full grip on the bar and once I started pulling the bar was slipping out of my hand. Second attempt I got my briefs up some but didn't tighten my straps and once I pulled I got into a postion where I didn't have the straps to pull back into. By the third attempt I got serious, jacked my briefs up properly, tightened my straps and gave it all I had - which ended up being too much - the bar popped up to the middle of my thighs so fast that I had to catch it and the bar bounced back down.
Hind sight is always 20/20 - there are a hand full of things I should have done differently on the deadlift but the major thing that upsets me is that I lost my focus and got flustered. I had planned for a million different possible setbacks throughout the day and how to handle them, but going into the deadlift with no warm up and my gear not on properly wasn't one of them and it completely caught me off guard!
It was a fun day regardless, though - I watched Jade Mendelson bench 242 lbs at 14 yrs old, just incredible! Scott Mendelson was very encouraging and supportive, and everybody made us feel very welcome. Now we are on the second part of our trip, we're in San Francisco for some R&R - I have to admit that I woke up this morning wishing I was home so I could deadlift tonight!!!