First off I apologize for the lack of videos. I downloaded some new editing software and can't figure out how to use it. Once I do I'll get the videos posted.

I didn't sleep well last night for some reason. Probably a combination of the supplements and my nerves. Yes, after 10 years of competing I still get nervous. I feel good though and ready to do this.

The meet location was about 50 minutes from our place and I knew I was in the 3rd flight so Jess and I left about 7:45 with lifting scheduled to start at 9:00. On the drive, my head was kinda all over the place and I was thinking way too much. As I was pulling in JP Carroll was also pulling in and the simple act of seeing him there calmed me more than I would have predicted. Over the past months, JP and I trained together and I have found much motivation because of this. He is now one of my best friends. As I get out of the car he holds up a Monster Hydrate he brought me and said it's your day. I knew it was going to be a good day.

We get in and get things settled and I found Dave. I touched base with him and we had a plan. Joe Sullivan, another one of my training partners and friend, showed up a few minutes later adding more confidence to my thoughts that it would be a good day.

As the first flight started their second attempts I started to warm up and really focus. I was opening with 840 so I wanted to warm up to 8 plates before my opener. For warm-ups, I did 1 and 2 plates for triples before putting on my Metal Ace briefs. Then 3 plates for a double and then I put on my Metal Ace squat suit with straps down. 4, 5 and 6 plates for singles and then straps up for 7 plates for a single. Then I took 8 plates for a single straps up and knees wrapped.

Time to roll....

Jess was keeping track of all my stuff (knee wraps, elbow sleeves, ammonia, wrist wraps, belt tightener, water/Gatorade and MP3 player). Joe was wrapping my knees for my attempts, Dave was calling depth and JP was helping set my suit and back spotting. I was set and focused at this point.

840 opener was easy with 3 white lights.

900 for my second, and my goal for the meet, felt heavy and hell but moved well and again 3 white lights. Personally, I wanted to pass on my third but Dave and JP convinced me to take another attempt. Dave's PR is 940 so he used that to motivate me to take 945...

945 on my third attempt was very heavy but it moved and again 3 white lights. I could not have been happier with how squats went.

 

Time to bench....