About a month ago I realized a bucket list item by running my first 5k all the way through. I know it's not like climbing Everest, but for a guy who couldn't "walk" a half mile without stopping a bunch of years ago, It was a huge accomplishment in my life. In case any of you have not noticed, I am very goal oriented.
After losing over 110 pounds and keeping it off for over a year, that goal is check. I hit every bench goal I wanted with a 900 pound equipped bench and 600 pound raw benches in three different weight classes. Heck, I even won a strongman contest, besting my goal of a top three finish.
But there's one lifting item on my list that has gone unfilled for over twenty years now, a full meet. I was a promising full meet lifter long before I became a bench specialist. The ironic thing is, benching was my worst of the three powerlifts. It's just that it was the only lift I had left after rupturing two discs in my back.
I know many people make it back to the platform with bad back issues nowadays. With mine happening over 20 years ago, medical technology and therapy isn't what it is now. I had a very ugly prognosis and I was told I'd never lift heavy again. Through tireless effort my back feels better than it ever has since the injury. Actually, that whole journey is an article in and of itself that I should write, so I digress.
I have talked about and have wanted to experience one more full meet as long as I can remember. I have tried a few times unsuccessfully to train the squat and deadlift with regular bars. I'd just be in too much pain after a week or two.
These past two plus months have been a different story however. I have been able to train pain free. Actually, my back and body continues to feel even better. This leaves me cautiously optimistic that I can get on the platform at least one more time. It's now officially my next goal.
That said, my form still leaves a lot to be desired. I also need to shore up my training methods for the purposes of competing in a full meet. So I am not even looking at a particular contest just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes me the better part of a year or more to be ready. That's ok though, much like how it took me eight years to lose that 110 pounds, there's no need to rush. The journey is the fun part.