Sunday 16/10/16
Devon & Cornwall Open PL Championships
Masters II, 93kg weight class.
Weighed in at 91.4kg at 9:30 am then had breakfast.
Thought lifting was going to kick off at 11am but due to the number of lifters (44), the day was divided into two sessions. 93s were at the start of the second session so I was not scheduled to start until 3pm.
Helped my friend with his lifting in the first session and so by the time my session started I was already feeling half-baked.
I messed up the timing on my squat warmup as I was still helping my young friend with his deads and there was only a short break before my group started. By the time I changed and got ready, I had to rush through my warmup and then get out for my first lift.
I went too low with 150 and did a paused squat. Three whites but only just as I started to move towards the rack just as the ref said rack! I got away with it and got three whites but I had completely forgotten to wait because I was so annoyed with myself for sitting down in the hole. Also, it felt heavier than I thought it should so I put in for 160 instead of my planned 165. 160 was ok. 3 whites. Felt heavy though so I played it safe and put in for 170 instead of 175. It went up just fine so I was kicking myself for not sticking to my plan.
Bench next. Warmup went ok. For my first 110 lift, had a lift off which wasn't great. The spotter took more weight than I would have liked and I lost a bit of back tightness. Still, it went up fine. Put in for 120. Same experience with lift off but I managed to stay tighter. Lowered weight, paused and was so pleased it felt fine that I pressed the bar just as the ref said press. This time I was red lighted. Had a think and decided to put in for 127.5 for my final lift. I just had to make sure I waited for all the refs commands. Also, I was better prepared for the lift-off. Waited for the press command and blasted the bar up. No problem. 127.5 in the bag. Could have made 130. So now I was only 2.5kg down on my target total.
By now, I was feeling quite weary. More caffeine required, in the form of cold coffee (my thermos didn't work) and flat Red Bull. Had a couple of small bananas and a fruity protein bar.
Deadlift warmup went ok.
180 and 190 were fine enough: both three whites. Decided to go for 202.5 to try to reclaim a 500 total. Thankfully, I got it. Three white lights.
With two PRs (paused bench and sumo DL) and a 500 total, I have nothing to complain about.
All in all, a good day's lifting (and it was a full day). It was very well organised and if anyone of you good folks are thinking of doing a meet, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Here are my lifts:
Squat: 150, 160, 170
Bench: 110, 120F, 127.5
DL: 180, 190, 202.5
Total: 500
Not that it matters, but I ended up as 2nd place Devon lifter and so I now have a little award plaque thingy for my effort.
Thanks to all of you HSTers for your help and support over the previous few months.