Competition results new PB 285kg total

What a day - I am not sure where I should start. After dehydrating and using the sauna overnight I woke up weighing 56.7kgs, so I rugged up went out and walked and ran a bit to sweat out as much as I could. I jumped into a hot shower, put 3 layers of clothing on and drove to the comp, sat outside in the heat for 30 mins and weighed in at 55.9kgs. (with my shorts and bra on ). Phew!

After drinking 2 litres of fluid, a strong coffee, oats and honey the lifting began. My coach trains 2 female lifters and Alex struggled to make weight and had difficulty getting into her squat suit as she is usually a few kilos lighter without dehyrdating. This caused the warm up to be disjointed and off putting, however these are the things that happen in competitions and it was a great learning experience for me. As a 56kg lifter I need 270kgs to qualify to compete in next years National Titles - so I am well over that.

Squat - I didn't get the required depth on my first attempt at 95kgs, so it was a no lift. I was pretty unhappy, but nailed the second attempt, and then did a new PB of 100kgs for my third lift - it really hurt though.

Bench - My success story. Wearing my new bench shirt I started with a solid 55kgs - also a PB, then jumped to 60kgs and had a very strong lift. I didn't get my third lift of 62.5kgs - but I know what happened and there is more left for next time. This is a 7.5kg improvement on my previous PB.

Deadlift - made all attempts 115kg, 120kg, 125kg - PB. I am very comfortable with this lift and feel like a different lifter approaching the platform. All lifts were strong , fast and aggressive. Coach decided to limit my last attempt to 125kgs as he feels I have no problem getting the weight off the ground, but my lock out is not as strong - he is right and I am happy to have another increase in PB here.

In summary it was a very successful day, I continue to learn a lot about lifting and competing and pushing my body. Other than the usual lacerations, bruises, sore muscles and exhaustion I am in good shape and recovering well today. I have 5 months in which to recover, train and increase my strength before the State titles in April. Lastly thanks to the team Nic, Alex, Josh, Rod,Rog, Lottie, Tim and Tom. And of course - Michael!

This is my equipment for tomorrow.

• squat/deadlift suit
• wraps
• squat shoes
• deadlift shoes
• soft suit
• bench shirt
• shin pads & long socks
• belt
• wrist wraps
• knee wraps

and it all fits into this bag

2 days before the competition

My bruises are healing, shoulders and ribs are feeling better too. I am quite rested and relaxed, however I have my last lifting technique session late this afternoon which should cause some nerves. I need to go over form, tehniques rules and do a few lifts to get my head in the right space before Sat.

Left arm after bench session today.

This is my right arm and arm pit bruising from my benchshirt

57.5 kg bench today - PB!

I love my bench shirt. Last bench press day and I did 2 sets @57.5kgs. I am pretty sore but am looking forward to Sat.

100kg Squat today - PB!!

Today was my last squat session before Saturday's comp. I did 2 sets of 2 reps. I @97.5kgs and 1 @ 100kgs. I was a little short on a couple, however the good news is that there was plenty of power. However the hardest thing with the squat is getting the technique correct. You need to get as much benefit out of the wraps and suits as well as get the bar out of the rack, set up and then power through.

Thankfully I have a cam corder and we are able to play back and coach comments. I can watch it over and over to correct form.

I am still very nervous, but I feel very pleased with my progress and I know that over the next 12 months the squat is just going to get better and better.

Weight is good.

yeah!!!!

I was wiped out yesterday after yoga and spent most of the day lying around. I fell asleep at 7.30pm last night - wow! Saturday is generally a recovery day for my body, and yesterday was no different! I have a light bench session today, but the rest of the day is relaxtion and therapy. Acupuncture and a FAR infrared sauna late this afternoon.

I have my final squat session tomorrow. 2 sets of 2 reps somewhere near 100kgs - will be a PB day for me so I need to recover and focus today.

One week today!

In fact I will be right in the thick of it this time next Saturday. I am feeling quite different coming into this competition. I guess it is experience of both lifting and competing. I am realising that it is more about the phsycological challenge than the physical. Keeping focus to keep form and concentration is really tough. Accepting that it does hurt but not to let that scare me.

I am very excite and in fact I can't wait to hit the platform!

This photo was taken at my first powerlifitng comp in April this year. 75kgs - my current PB is 95kgs, and I am looking to do at least 105kgs sat week. I have had great progress this year - I am so pleased.

It seems like all I am writing about these days is how sore I am; what is that saying about "if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen".

Deadlifted today in my suit - 2 reps at 110 & 115kgs. It felt good and I certainly had more left. Rest now till Mon.

Only 2 more lifting session left and then rest, rest for a few days.

Did I mention that I was sore????

My bench shirt has caused some pretty bad welts again today - I will take a pic and post it. Last week they didn't hurt so much, but today it stings. I even have a graze on my neck?? However...

...great bench session. I did 52.5kgs for 3 sets of 5 reps. I was able to pause all 5 reps and there was plenty of power left. Next week I do 2 reps @ 57.5kgs - my target of 60kg is looking good. As long as the body holds up! I do my 2 rep deadlifts tomorrow - will need to be very focussed in the morning for that!

Pay day today (with commission), so I went to Alannah Hill and bought a dress for Xmas parties and some more work gear. It will all look awesome after my bruises go away! I love Alannah Hill.

I am bruised and injured today. The heavy lifting is always harder than I remember. It is funny how the mind forgets about the pain and the injuries - kind of like child birth!

Much better squatting today. 90kgs for 3 sets of 5 reps. I used my suit and wraps (pic here) , and while I was abit tentative on the first set the next 2 where great. Fast and plenty of power. Coach said we might do 102.5/105kgs for 2 reps next week. That would be great!

The suit is so tight, and I have welts on my thighs to match the ones on my arms from the bench shirt - doesn't really hurt though. The wraps go on extremely tightly to support the knee and gives a feeling of security - well as secure as you can feel with that much weight on your shoulders.

Wow, what a busy week! I spent 3 days at Hayman Island for work, and I can tell you it was really hard work. However it was also very successful and while I am totally fatigued today -it was worth every late night.

It was my wedding anniversary yesterday and we went out for a beautiful dinner. I deviated from my usual food for the fist time in weeks and had a few drinks and some extra food like dips, bruschetta and cheese. It was a great night.

When I returned from Hayman on Friday I took my son to boxing and then I trained afterwards. I deadlifted 105kgs, 3 sets for 5 reps. It was a suprisingly good session given the crazy week I had.

I am totally shattered today and have spent all day lying around - although I did manage to get to the FAR infrared sauna for some recovery therapy. It is 5pm now and I have to admit to feeling much better than a few hours ago. Although I am nto sure how I will pull up tomorrow.

Training plan for this week is

Squat - with suit and wraps 5 reps @ 90/95kgs (suit picture is above)

Bench - with shirt - 5 reps @ 57.5kgs

Deadlift - with suit - 2 reps @ 115/120kgs (last before the comp)

I have been away and wrote this blog on the plane to Hayman.

Bench Target of 60kgs

I used my new bench shirt for the first time today. It was an interesting experience. It is one of the new style ones, and my coach hadn’t used one either. It only took 5 minutes to get on, and while it is was uncomfortable, and took me a few sets to get the technique right, it was amazing and I got an immediate increase in my strength at least 5kgs. Although I think it may be more as I get used to it. I did 3 sets of 5 reps at 50kgs today. By the last set I was able to pause even on the last rep. So my bench target is 60kgs.

However I have some terrible welts on the back of my arms where the seams of the suit cut in. They are very similar to the ones I get on my thighs from my squat suit…..and I am on my way to Hayman. I will have to rethink those strappy tops I was going to wear.

Very excited to see my bench finally moving up…..even my chin ups are getting better!

Difficult Squatting today.

105kg target.

In fact I was pretty unhappy with the squat session. 3 sets of 5 reps @ 80kgs. It was really heavy, and I had some strength but no explosive power. I was nervous before I got there, and was tired yesterday. I did a long walk in the morning which in hindsight wasn't a good thing to do.

On a positive note - next week can only be better! So my comp goal is 105kgs!

Hayman Island this week.....

I have a conference at Hayman Is this week for 3 days...tough!!!!!

Actually it works in quite well with my comp preparation as I can still fit my sessions in with my coach before and after I go. I am really looking forward to doing cardio on the beach in the mornings....and working on my tan.

I love my job today!

CHASING A 130KG DEADLIFT

I am after a 130kg deadlift at my comp in 3 weeks time. I had a great session this morning and did 3 sets of 5 reps @100kgs with relative comfort. Coach says I am on track for 130kgs. He has held me back this preparation and this seems to have been a good approach. I feel fresh and strong. I also think the Bikram yoga has increased my flexibility and this has contributed to my strength.

I will post my Squat goal on Monday!