One thing I've learned, never expect things to go as planned. Prepare for the unexpected.
April 2nd I competed in the USPA Georgia Spring Open in Atlanta, GA (drug tested). Steve Goggins did a phenomenal job hosting this meet - 4 flights (60 lifters total) and done in a timely matter. Didn't feel rushed or felt like I was going cold from waiting.
I flew in that Friday on a 2 hour delayed flight. Casey met me there after a 9 hour drive. Let's just say we were exhausted from a long day, and it didn't help that I directed him to the wrong side of the airport, in traffic, but we made it! Grubbed on some chipotle and headed to bed.
6am wake up call to meet Angela for weigh ins at the Double Tree hotel around 7am. Meet started 9am sharp.
Meet results:
270.1 , 297.6, 308.6 (in wraps)
165.3, 181.9, missed 192.9
319.7, 363.8, missed 391.3
7/9 - 23.8 lb meet PR
New total: 854.3
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgj6VK6fw0o]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCOYb48KLl4]
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsbjSd0N5PU]
Some moments nerves kicked in more than others but having Casey there help handle made all the difference. It was our first meet together. We bickered here and there -- partially because I was being hard on myself. He's a great coach but I'm an over thinker and sometimes too much can do me damage.
I read Dani's latest article "Women and Imposter Syndrome" before writing this post, and I'm glad I did. This has been an ongoing issue with me but never really had the words to put together to really describe it, and here it is:
"I don’t think we’re all that much different in how we compete, either. Most people that have a phenomenal meet will have some sort of anxiety about coming back onto the platform in fear that they won’t improve upon what they built last time; it leaves you second guessing if the great meet you had is a true reflection of your ability."
Post-meet I was being over analytical; expecting more from myself than what I just performed on that platform. To myself I said "I've done better." To Casey I said "this may be my 6th meet but I feel like I've been doing this for a long time." He responded "that's good because you feel experienced but I've done 15 -- you're still a baby and you're still learning. You just got a 20lb PR total."
6 meets later and I still can't seem to get it right -- and I felt like that was a problem. Perfect meets are rare, especially back to back.
My missed lifts were technical and I possibly over estimated my third attempts percentage wise. Knowing that and not executing the way I wanted to put that unnecessary pressure (something I'm good at). I suppose when you're passionate about something, you set standards and expectations. Sounds ridiculous but some can relate, and that's a relief.
Lessons learned and moving forward
This meet cycle went great. Hit a few PR's that I've been working towards for a long time. Nutrition is something I need to address; regimen that was previously working for me no longer is. I'm at an age where my body is changing and I need to adapt. I've already reached out to friends of mine who have 20+ years of experience. This is where my knowledge about training comes to play -- I know what I have to do moving forward.
I am honored to announce that I've been invited to lift at Relentless July 8th-9th in Rosemount, MN. I am so excited and extremely honored to be part of something so much bigger than myself; lifting for kids with life-threatening medical conditions; surrounding these children and families with the message that hope can be a powerful medicine. I know my fellow teammates Julia Ladewski, Jo Jordan, and Marshall Johnson have competed in this meet and have only heard the amazing things that they do for HopeKids.
https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/yessica-martinez/relentless2016
Taking a week off and then it's back to the drawing board.