I am very nervous right now...why

I am catching up with my coach for the first time in one week, and I am in the last 4 weeks before my power lifting comp. I start training @ 5 reps this week, which is just tough lifting. I am not sure how my strength is, and I am certainly not in "the zone".

I had a very successful trip to Darwin - and although it was a little stressful in the first day, I was able to relax and quite enjoyed it. I still have a lot of work to do up there in the future, but it looks very promising, and very interesting .


However, I am very defocussed from my training. I did train while I was away (great gym in Darwin), but my coach has been on leave for just over a week. So I am 4 weeks away from competition and not really sure how I am travelling. My weight has not dropped - well not suprisingly with the travel - so I will compete @ 56kgs again. This takes pressure off, however I need to travel 2 -3 times again before 25th November so I am not sure how prepared I am going to be. hmmmmmmmmmm

This is the challenge of balancing life. I am very tempted to say that work is top priority right now, focus on that and don't compete. However I will be very disappointed afterwards if I don't at least attempt this comp - as I love seeing progress and I have worked very hard lifting since August. I guess I feel that is the easy option, and success is never yours if you take the easy option.

So I can torture myself over making a decision on which way to go ....................or I can just keep on the same path and don't make any decision.

I was at Bikram Yoga yesterday and picked up the newsletter and this is a quote from Bikram...
"Bikram has said all life is a competition......Without competition there is no ambition, and without ambition there is no life.....The competition is really within yourself....."

This is Darwin, where I am travelling to this week for work. I am hoping this will be my view form the hotel room. I like Darwin - so I am looking forward to it. There is also a great power lifting gym there - so I will all the equipment I need to keep training properly.

I bought some new equipment on the weekend.

A Belt and a bench shirt. I am very excited as I have never had a bench shirt before, and it should add 5-10 kilos to my PB. I justhave to work out how ot get it on first!!!!!!!!!!

I am sitting at my desk eating my oats before the day gets into full swing. I am not sure what to blog about today so a general catch up is in order I think.

Sydney was tiring - travelling for work always wipes me out for a few days afterward. My boss has been promoted, and one of my colleagues here will be off work for an extended period. The work dynamic will change which may impact on my training and preparation for my comp in 5 weeks. I will still lift regardless - which is the beauty of power lifting - I can lift with a little or a lot of preparation. I am OK with that as sometimes priorities change.

My Coach is away this week and I am training by myself (with a little help from some gym buddies). It is an "easy week" so a good one for him to be gone. I am on 6 reps for the following weights

Bench 42.5kg
Dead 90kgs
Squat 65kgs

it is nice to be holding back, because as soon as I get in to 5 rep territory I will be punished.

I have gone back to doing Bikram Yoga - I did it for 18 months a while ago and really loved it. I forgot the peace and calm yoga brings. It is a great balance for my power lifting and my muslces and joint are really loving it. I like the heat too as it adds a dimension of challenge that keeps me interested.

Feeling Ratty Today..........

I am off to Sydney for work for a couple of days, and I am still behind from my holiday and would prefer not to go as I will simply get further behind. My first week back in training really hurt, so I am a bit fatigued not to mention VERY SORE. Comp is less than 6 weeks off, am feeling overwhelmed with the big weights ahead. Weight is fluctuating with fluid retention - YUK!!

QLD powerlifitng no longer exists and is part of Powerlifiting Aust - which is incorporated and owned by the Aust Sports Commission. This is a great move for the sport, but I think it means the QLD records that I was aiming for no longer exist either. I am going to have to refocus my objectives. hmmm

Only one thing to do on a day like today - POWER THROUGH IT!!!!!

The first day back at work is always a tough one. Not that I don't like my job, just that I feel like I am drowing under the amount of work I need to catch up on. I am off to Sydney next Mon/Tue, so I will get further behind unless I catch up quickly. Fortunately I have a great team so everything has been well managed while I have been away. This quarter is looing very good so far, so I could earn a few extra dollars for Xmas; and you have to love that.

I have been back training this week, and I found out that my next competition has been brought forward one week. Which is not an issue other than it gives me one less week to make weight. 61/2 weeks and 6 1/2 kilos - well 2 kgs will be sauned off and then rehydrated so it is only 4 kgs really. Sounds like a good challenge - as long as i don't go putting on any more muscle.

Back from Vietnam

We returned from our family holiday to Vietnam yesterday. It was incredible and anything that I write can't possibly do it justice. It was a wonderful experience for all of us for many reasons and reminded me about peace and happiness.