It's only taken me two weeks to write about my meet but here it is:
Went 7/9 ending up with 330/175/360. Total: 865 @ 132
10lbs more than my last meet total and a 25lb squat PR.
Competing at the Arnold has been on my "goals" list since I moved to Ohio, and I am pretty happy that I get to cross that goal off come March.
To give you some perspective, my last meet I competed in was at Goggins meet in April. Weight was a struggle at the time and it may or may not have to do with the big move to Ohio. I didn't necessarily feel stressed but it could also mean that I dealt with it well and my body was taking a toll. I weighed in, then, at 139. I had gained about 7lbs (walking around at 146lbs) and it did not make sense to make a drastic cut to 132. I just wanted to throw myself out there and do a meet again since I was focusing on strongman previously. Although, I hit some PRs, it wasn't my most confident meet.
Rather than focusing on maintaining a weight class during prep, I just focused more on the changes I needed to make to improve my lifts. And, usually, 8 times out of 10 (I made up that ratio) when you don't obsessively focus on one thing, it will usually work out in the end if you work on something overall. My squat and deadlifts improved and my weight was sitting around 136 without trying. My bench did take a toll. It's been the same for a long time. My bench went up when I weighed heavier. My guess is mass moves mass and I just need to build upon a smaller frame. An almost 10lb difference is huge, especially for a female. I cut about 3lbs for the Lexen meet, easy peasy. Casey did a cut as well and got some guidance from the rhino. I learned that I was cutting wrong all along- cutting water and food way too early. We both weighed ourselves at the house before our 3 hour trip [day before the meet]. I weighed 132 and Casey weighed in at 222. He closed the bathroom door and turned on the hot water to sweat it out. After 15 minutes, we headed out. Worst drive ever. Imagine Casey grumpy. Now, imagine Casey hungry and grumpy. Now, imagine him hungry, grumpy, in a sweater, with the hot air blowing in my car. Now, imagine all that for 3 hours.
We weighed in, checked in and headed to first watch to grub. Hydrate, refuel and rest was on the agenda.
Meet day.
We had a good group of us there. Jodie and Jabez are a couple who started to train with us at Union Fitness. Jodie was also competing to get the squat and total world record @ 123. She's strong. Jabez was there to handle her. Molly competed in the push/pull. She wanted to qualify for the Arnold as well.
Warm ups went as planned. I was calm for the most part but nerves start to settle in during first attempts on the platform. Squats felt great. I seriously can't thank Mario enough for wrapping my knees. That sweaty meatball really went above and beyond, and he can sure wrap fucking knees. I have bruises to prove it.
I felt weak on bench which was predicted. By weak, I mean 175 felt like 300lbs. And by deads, I was gassed out. I originally opened with 320 on deads and needed 330 to qualify. I changed it to 330 and so happy I did. Not that I wouldn't have gotten my second attempt but a 10lb difference is a no brainer and I would feel more confident knowing I qualified than chancing it.
Overall, it was a great meet. I was happy to have competed alongside Casey. We were there supporting and handling each other even though we were both lifting which was nice.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mCsInUQjEU]