So I went into this meet knowing that it wouldn't likely be the best meet of my life after my stay in the hospital, but I'm hard headed and viewed it as more of a challenge than a set back. Plus this meet gave me the opportunity to compete alongside a lot of friends.

I'm not going to bore you with a breakdown of all my warm-ups and such, but I will tell you that everything went well and felt light right up until I put my straps up at 870 and then it all felt weird. I opened at 953 and couldn't find my balance so my hips were all over the place and I fell back about a third of the way down. As I sat waiting to do my second attempt I kept catching Meredith starring at me because she was worried about me. I smiled at her and assured her I was okay. I took 953 again and fought it all the way down with my hips shooting forward and back and side to side, but I made it to depth and stood up to make sure I was in the meet and almost passed out. I went to 1003 for my final attempt and still had to fight the gear all the way down. I got the up call, but didn't have anything in the tank to stand up with it and the spotters had to help me out. It was too heavy today.

My bench programming was handled by Marshall Johnson this meet and I was excited to see how things would work out. Warm ups went great and the bar felt good in my hands so I had high hopes. I opened at 605 and touched easier than I have in a long time and the bar moved a lot better than it did during training as well as the transition being smoother. We went to 640 with the same results for 3 white lights so we went to 672 for the final attempt which was the goal during training. We jacked the shirt down to get more pop and went to work. I got the bar to touch easier than expected and it moved off my chest quickly only to slow down at the top. I had to shift to get my right arm to lockout, but when I did it dipped on my left arm and got me a couple of red lights, but I was very happy that I had gotten that close. I know it's there and I'll get it next time around.

For the deadlifts I only took 5-6 warm up sets to make sure my back was okay since I'd been dealing with pain all cycle and had no idea how things were going to play out. I switched back to my King deadlifter because I'm much more comfortable in it and have had good luck in it too. I opened at 650 only to windmill on the way up and then lose my balance at the top as I tried to correct it. Lynsey and Norah came over to me this time to hug me and tell me it would be okay and I'd get it next time. I stayed with 650 for my second and tightened the straps to pull it pretty easy this time around. We went to 705 for my third (should have gone 6 pounds heavier), tightened the straps up some more and I went at it. The bar came off the floor nicely and slowed at the knees so I closed my eyes, threw my head back and pulled the bar to me and was not going to stop. I got it locked out and got a 5 pound PR at 275. ( I pulled 15 pounds more at 242 haha).

I ended the day with a 2298 total and 4th in the 275 open equipped division behind Jonathan Byrd, Allen Pilley and Neal Cotton. I mentioned last week that I'd have to build a lead to beat Neal and it didn't happen. He pulled 771 to beat me by 5 pounds and I couldn't be prouder of him. It was also cool to see Allen put together a great meet and surprise us all with his pull as he totaled 2378. Byrd got his second best total at 275 with 2480 I think.

I made it a point to focus on the good things that came out of this meet rather than any negative ones. Here are a few...

  • My children and wife saw me compete and I got to hear them cheer for me and give me hugs and kisses between lifting.
  • My wife and I broke the curse of her attending meets and me getting hurt or bombing out.
  • Neal Cotton got 4 PR's and totaled over 2300.
  • I pulled over 700 again and had no grip issues.
  • I almost benched 672!! Almost!
  • I didn't hurt anything and was able to walk normally the day after the meet.
  • I was only 2 lifts away from a PR total.
  • I accepted a challenge, showed up and did the best I could.

A special thanks to Hans Shitzengiggles and Mike "Rico" Salazar for handling me during the meet and putting up with me snapping at you on occasion. You both did a great job and I appreciate you. Brian Schwab, Trinity Schwab, Rich and Richie Bryant...thank you for helping us out too.

Thank you to everyone that kept checking on me during the meet to make sure I was okay and seeing if I needed anything. I appreciate everyone's concern and want you all to know it means a lot to me.

I'm not sure what meet will be next, but I know it won't be for a few months. I've got some weaknesses to address.

If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry. I try to remember everyone, but it doesn't always work out for me.