Officially Picking Things Up And Putting Them Down Again

Alf Veedersane

Both thread topic and title suggested by Brian? and bluewolf but I thought it might be a good idea for people who wonder about meets/comps or put off by the idea that they're not ready or that they're not strong enough and maybe it's a place people can give experiences of starting out (and continuing) on the road and hopefully make other people take the plunge. But also to give a place to talk about comps as opposed to just in the off topic thread.

I did my first competition, the Leinster Open, in Sunday. The decision to do it was made about a year ago when I saw a guy I see train regularly and was a regular Joe like me and he did the Novices IPF comp so I thought I would aim for that this year because I thought I would be more comfortable doing it with other relative beginners.

As time went on and I found myself training at the same time as lads who compete and do well in comps and talking to them, it finally sunk in that people at the comps are just going to cheer you on because you've decided to step onto the platform and lifted something heavy. There's an inherent respect for that.

So I trained away and got my entry in and it was officially going to happen. And I was excited - not nervous. I always thought I would be really nervous about lifting in front of a room of strong people. On the day, the only nerves were down to whether or not I would do my training justice.

I had an idea of what I would do - I didn't expect PRs because although the last couple of weeks of training were all just squat/bench/dead, I just expected there to be a learning curve that would take me up towards PRs in subsequent meets so my targets were 97/98 for squat and dead and 97% of what my touch and go bench was because pausing bench only began 12 weeks ahead of comp.

Got there on the day at 6.10am and my flight was going to start about 8.45am. I could have gone there for 7 or so but I figured I'd feel so stiff and sh*tty at that hour of the morning that I'd need a LOT of loosening up before even considering warming up. As it turned out, I wasn't that bad at all.

Some light dynamic stretching and a big dose of porridge with whey in it.

Got the singlet on and took out the warm-up plan with timings on it. I had based it off the flight beforehand which was going to take ~45 mins so kicked off 10 mins into that flight with a can of red bull in hand. One can for warm ups of each of S/B/D.

The timing etc was made so easy by the 'order of play' for the flight being up on screen and the phenomenal efficiency of getting everything ready for each lifter.

But watched a lot in rests, soaking up the buzz. It was cool seeing everyone cheering for each other.

Time came for my first squat...stood by the MC waiting for the platform to be ready and then out I walked to squat.

Except the "Bar's loaded" call hadn't come because they weren't fully ready. Oops. Take 2: got out, got in position. "Commands, knees, chest" on repeat in my head. 3 whites. Yes! Phew.

I think I'd been worried about getting off to a start that I didn't get into it as much. Got into it then. Cheered on the other lifters, clapped the white lights, returned the good will shown to me.

Everything just built towards the end. It was electric. It really was. Going out for the deadlifts was f*cking magic. I wasn't in the shake up for places or anything but you could just feed off the atmosphere. I completely neglected my cues and the deadlifts were shocking looking. All I remember was "LOCK IT OUT, ALF". Think it was the MC. Usually I hear nothing but I heard that. So I obliged. I never usually react but I gave a good oul air punch.

Ended up equalling a couple of gym PRs and new bench PR. That helped I guess but to be honest, my decision to compete again had been made long before the end. Around the time of my first squat perhaps.

One guy in the flight before pulled what must have been a PR. His reaction was gold. A friend was there and there was a serious hug. Then with his coach. It was emotional for all three. He didn't place but that didn't matter because he'd beaten his own numbers and ultimately that's all that counts. That was a great moment...part of the brilliant vibe.

This has just been a street of consciousness post with no structure as such but it was brilliant and not at all intimidating. Chatting to people, everyone wising each other well...even in my own flight Blacktie was pulling to win and even the guy he would have beaten wanted him to lock out the lift. Kinda says it all.

Even the missus, whose only exposure to powerlifting has been to see my PR videos (and who sounds a little disappointed when deadlift PRs aren't jerked overhead) thought it was a great event.

Have the next meet pencilled in already.

If you haven't taken the plunge about doing one, for whatever reason, DO IT!

Anyway, it's supposed to be a thread for posting on meets but the idea put forward originally was for a thread to encourage people like I was a year ago who didn't think comps were for people like them.

They are.

laserlad2010

I'd like to add that the single most important thing that my first competition has given me is hunger.

I am no longer afraid of telling people my admittedly not that impressive numbers. I realise now that I'm on a journey, and I cannot wait to get back into the gym and lift more, lift heavier, eat better, sleep better...

When I did the competition I realised - I have a sport. There are associations. Fans. Support groups. Groupies (I sincerely hope ;)). Nobody cares what weight you are, what you lift, how you look! All people want is to see your sweat, your red face, your elation at getting a PB.

I am no longer some slightly overweight guy lifting heavy things. I am a powerlifter.

Wow that sounds cool :D

FTA69

If I can get my totals up by year's end I'm going to have a bash off one.

COH

FTA69 wrote: »

If I can get my totals up by year's end I'm going to have a bash off one.

Don't be the person that doesn't compete until they are strong 'enough'. None of us are ever strong enough! Just compete as soon as you can and get the experience under your belt - you won't regret it.

whippet

I was watching the single lifts in Boyneside on saturday and I regretted not entering .. can't wait for the nationals in March.

It becomes an obsession quickly .. and you come away from every meet with a bunch of new friends

Alf Veedersane

COH wrote: »

Don't be the person that doesn't compete until they are strong 'enough'. None of us are ever strong enough! Just compete as soon as you can and get the experience under your belt - you won't regret it.

This 100%.

I wish I had done it ages ago. I didn't think I was strong enough but it's not about anyone else. Whatever you lift is heavy for you and that means you're the same as everyone else there. You get nothing but respect for putting your numbers on a platform.

FTA69

COH wrote: »

Don't be the person that doesn't compete until they are strong 'enough'. None of us are ever strong enough! Just compete as soon as you can and get the experience under your belt - you won't regret it.

I'm only in my tenth week of lifting like but I get what you're saying totally. I had no idea that meets were literally... meets where people rock up and do their best regardless. That sounds great to be honest and having a focus I'd imagine really boosts your training. I'll see where I am after the old Stronglifts.

laserlad2010

FTA69 wrote: »

I'm only in my tenth week of lifting like but I get what you're saying totally. I had no idea that meets were literally... meets where people rock up and do their best regardless. That sounds great to be honest and having a focus I'd imagine really boosts your training. I'll see where I am after the old Stronglifts.

Exactly. You should have a think about joining one of the associations and looking at their lift calendars. I'm sure you'll find someone on here who's willing to say hello on the day and help you through things!

COH

Competition makes lifters better...

Too many people go into comp worrying about other peoples numbers instead of their own. Worry about your own numbers long enough and eventually you'll become the person with the numbers everyone else is worried about

Alf Veedersane

The only difference anyone else's numbers make are to determine where you're lifting in your flight because that affects when you warm up

Calendar of meets for 2017

laserlad2010

Actually, that raises a question.

What sort of timing do people use for their warmups?

Alf Veedersane

laserlad2010 wrote: »

Actually, that raises a question.

What sort of timing do people use for their warmups?

What I did worked out well on Sunday for me anyway.

For squat, I was doing 5 warm up sets and I knew the flight ahead was going to be about 45 mins (14 lifters) and I'd be 5 minutes into my flight.

So I started my watch from the first "The bar is loaded" command and 15 mins later, I did a set of 60x5. About 5 minutes later I did 95x3. Another 5/6 minutes and I did 107.5x2. Another 6/7 minutes and I did a single at 120. That meant I had about 18 minutes to go to my opener so squatted 132.5 for a single to leave 10 minutes until the opener.

It worked out alright because I ended up having somehow having a rack to myself to warm up.

But it started with knowing how long it would be to my opener and working back from there. Had it written down so I'd know when I'd have to start getting ready to take my turn in the warm-up area because I resumed I'd be one of 3/4 using a rack.

Reps4jesus

Anyone able to recommend a gym in Dublin that would provide support/ prep for a powerlifting comp. I know Hanleys (and trained there for a while) and abs gym would be the main ones but Glasnevin is very tough for me to get out to. Reading this thread just makes me want to compete and I know i dont need a specific trainer etc and I could just follow any of the numerous peaking programs etc available but im just wondering if anyone had any sort of recomendations.

guile4582

can you choose to compete in one lift only? like Deadlift

I really want to get into this but wouldnt mind a bit of coaching or group meets first . as mentioned in another post on here I currently am not a member of a major gym as I have the basics at my work one (squat rack, olympic bars etc. and no one else really uses it, so lone wolf here, so unsure how good my lifts are - how good my technique is etc.)

checked Dublin Meetups - no real groups exist.

Any trainers with access to gyms who thinks they could help me along please do contact me.

Based Sandyford

*Glasnevin is a non runner. wish I could commit to that one!!
** Council gyms operate PAYG don't they? could meet once a week there if there were a group of us in the same boat

RTighe

Excellent Post! and congrats on going for your first meet! looking forward to hearing about the others

COH

I could run a general powerlifting or first time powerlifter workshop if there's sufficient demand for it.

whippet

COH wrote: »

I could run a general powerlifting or first time powerlifter workshop if there's sufficient demand for it.

careful now !!!!

guile4582

you can count me in COH

Brian?

COH wrote: »

Competition makes lifters better...

Too many people go into comp worrying about other peoples numbers instead of their own. Worry about your own numbers long enough and eventually you'll become the person with the numbers everyone else is worried about

I was this guy and I hugely regret never competing. Looking back on it, I was being silly. I had over 2xBW squat and deadlift, but my bench was crap. Kept telling myself I'd compete once I hit a decent bench. Life and knee injuries killed my lifting, but I'm finally back to training heavy. Would love to compete this year.

Brian?

COH wrote: »

I could run a general powerlifting or first time powerlifter workshop if there's sufficient demand for it.

You're a legend.

Alf Veedersane

COH wrote: »

I could run a general powerlifting or first time powerlifter workshop if there's sufficient demand for it.

Itd be great to include the commands.

Half the squats in the first round of the 74s at the weekend got red lighted for not waiting for the rack command. Literally half. One lad missed a PR on his third for racking. And that's even with repeated calls by the MC to remind them to wait for the 'rack' command.

Brian?

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Itd be great to include the commands.

Half the squats in the first round of the 74s at the weekend got red lighted for not waiting for the rack command. Literally half. One lad missed a PR on his third for racking. And that's even with repeated calls by the MC to remind them to wait for the 'rack' command.

What kind of rack was used? Did it have to be walked out?

Alf Veedersane

Brian? wrote: »

What kind of rack was used? Did it have to be walked out?

One like this:

Alf Veedersane

I should add, the same rack is used for the bench so on the day you'll be asked for your rack heights for squat and bench so you have to go find what height the pins are at to suit you for unracking for squat and bench.

Well, that's IPF anyway. Same gear must be used for all because anyone that wasn't a newbie knew their rack heights for those ER racks.

Mr. CooL ICE

COH wrote: »

Don't be the person that doesn't compete until they are strong 'enough'. None of us are ever strong enough! Just compete as soon as you can and get the experience under your belt - you won't regret it.

This x 1000

I did my first meet last year. Finished last in my category by a good bit, but I didn't care then and I don't care now. It was great fun and everybody was sound.

My 2nd meet is in under 2 weeks and I honestly cannot wait. I've seen the openers of the competition and yeah, I'll most likely finish last again. But who cares? Not this guy. I'm hooked.

guile4582

Nicolas Cage wrote: »

This x 1000

I did my first meet last year. Finished last in my category by a good bit, but I didn't care then and I don't care now. It was great fun and everybody was sound.

My 2nd meet is in under 2 weeks and I honestly cannot wait. I've seen the openers of the competition and yeah, I'll most likely finish last again. But who cares? Not this guy. I'm hooked.

am chomping at the bit. kist need an intro/leg up

Mellor

I've never gone a PL comp, and would be tempted. However, I'm also thinking of entering a strongman comp for the lols.
Am I being stupid? This years events are available, im not even sure what half of them are. But could be a laugh, or an injury waiting to happen. I'd be way undersized and not expecting anything. Has anyone ever done similar?

Blacktie.

Anyone doing Abs in April? Going for the May competition myself.

Alf Veedersane

Blacktie. wrote: »

Anyone doing Abs in April? Going for the May competition myself.

Thought about it but it didn't suit so sticking with May.

May o/

Alf Veedersane

I imagine the entries will go in a flash.

Blacktie.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Thought about it but it didn't suit so sticking with May.

I'll be sure to say hi this time.

We're all off to cork so
Frantic refreshing on Friday

Alf Veedersane

bluewolf wrote: »

We're all off to cork so
Frantic refreshing on Friday

At least I won't be stuck in the middle of nowhere with intermittent reception on my phone this time! Nearly dropped a weight class with the stress the last time.

Two weeks later than originally flagged which means two extra weeks of high volume suffering...

Alf Veedersane

bluewolf wrote: »

We're all off to cork so
Frantic refreshing on Friday

Ah jayzus. Ringaskiddy!

Dtp1979

What's abs?

Alf Veedersane

Dtp1979 wrote: »

What's abs?

It's a gym in Glasnevin...there's an open there in April.

Blacktie.

bluewolf wrote: »

We're all off to cork so
Frantic refreshing on Friday

Ugh I hope not. I have to go to a stag at 1:15 at the latest. Can't be sitting at home mashing the F5 key.

I'm hoping that was just cause it was in Dublin last time!

Mellor

Bunch of elitiest powerlifters.

#SoloStrongman

Blacktie.

Mellor wrote: »

Bunch of elitiest powerlifters.

#SoloStrongman

Ye well any baby can pick up some rocks so there!

Mellor

The thread title makes more sense for picking up rocks.
No powerlift picks up a barbell efore he squats it, using a frame like a geriatric

pumpkin4life

The feels lads

MightyMandarin

pumpkin4life wrote: »

The feels lads

Saw 'Weightlifting', half-expected him to discuss the 'ol snatch and clean and jerky. I am disappoints.

Alf Veedersane

bluewolf wrote: »

We're all off to cork so
Frantic refreshing on Friday

There was frantic refreshing alright. Had it open on two browsers on the phone and another 2 on the computer. Smoke coming off F5.

Alf Veedersane

I wasn't entirely surprised but it's still deadly

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154665256089230&id=1585421641695700

In for May
Boom

Blacktie.

Much smoother process this time!

Mr. CooL ICE

Nicolas Cage wrote: »

This x 1000

I did my first meet last year. Finished last in my category by a good bit, but I didn't care then and I don't care now. It was great fun and everybody was sound.

My 2nd meet is in under 2 weeks and I honestly cannot wait. I've seen the openers of the competition and yeah, I'll most likely finish last again. But who cares? Not this guy. I'm hooked.

About this... yeah, it's kinda hard to describe, but a meet is just a tremendous amount of fun. Nothing can describe the roller coaster of emotions you go through from weigh-in til final deadlift. Even seeing that other guy who you don't know and have never met that missed his first two attempts grinding away to complete his third is worth going to alone, even if you're not competing.

A video on a private facebook group cropped up after the meet and emphasised the spirit of powerlifting. Basically, it was a lifter's two failed deadlift attempts. What he was pointing out in the video was a guy on the left of the screen was roaring at him to get the lift, along with the left of the room. What most people didn't realise was that the guy roaring was on the national squad, and if the lifter made the deadlift he was attempting, he would have taken the guy's place on the national squad.

May is too soon for me as I've got a ton of things I need to adjust, form-wise. But next time a meet crops up after that, I'm in again.

Alf Veedersane

Nicolas Cage wrote: »

A video on a private facebook group cropped up after the meet and emphasised the spirit of powerlifting. Basically, it was a lifter's two failed deadlift attempts. What he was pointing out in the video was a guy on the left of the screen was roaring at him to get the lift, along with the left of the room. What most people didn't realise was that the guy roaring was on the national squad, and if the lifter made the deadlift he was attempting, he would have taken the guy's place on the national squad.

"What I want you to focus on is Arthur Lynch, also known as "the handoff". Not only is he cheering and pushing me for both lifts but he also grabbed the mic before the last attempt and told the crowd to give it all they have for my attempt.
Most of this is nothing special. What you probably don't know is if I was successful with one of those I would be in a position to be selected over Arthur for the world championships. It's a testament to this sport that a man who spent two 16 hour days on his feet can give that much to a guy who is trying to beat him!
Sometimes this sport drives me mad cause of do a behaviour and politics but ultimately I love it because of incidents like this."

Alf Veedersane

bluewolf wrote: »

In for May
Boom

Also in like Errol.

It's funny but a few lads that train in the gym and who compete (and are considerably stronger) - who I haven't really spoken to before - must have seen me in the Leinster Open via COH's instagram feed and just came over to say well done and fair play for competing.

Just thought it was really sound.

laserlad2010

Well lads I'm not sure if I'm looking for emotional support or a kick up the hole but here goes.

Tl;dr I bombed at the IPO Nationals - my first squat competition

I'll write it all out to both clear my own head, because I've been depressed ever since Saturday night, and to see if you more veteran lifters can give me any more advice other than "it happens".

Last week was deload week, and coupled with trying to cut under the 100kg I don't think my prep or nutrition was quite right. I had a gym PB wrapped squat of 200kg that came up slow but I felt that with the adrenaline of the comp I'd hopefully break that. How wrong I was!

Refuelling went alright, plenty of carbs and I had a good night's sleep beforehand. I'd had the same recurrent bits of advice "don't watch the whole comp you'll be wrecked" and "rest up on the day" so when I found my heart pounding watching the AIPO Women's lifts I knew I had to get out:P:P. Men's comp due to start at 4 and my flight was 5pm so I went off into town at 1 and back at 2 for a power nap.

Woke at 3 and ambled upstairs to see what the craic was to find the first mens flight was halfway through second attempt. Disaster!! I estimate this put me at least an hour behind my own mental/physical warmup plan.

My nerves went to ****. 120kg for 3 felt slow and shaky and I had no confidence. The monolift broke forcing me to walk out the reps and delayed my warmup as more lads were queueing. My own coach was off with his lads from the first flight actually competing. I'd noone to have a few quiet words with, to adjust my technique as despite 10 years of squatting this was the heaviest I was planning to go and my first squatting competition.

Finally the lads from my gym arrived and we did a wrapped 160kg squat that actually moved ok. A bit of much needed confidence. I wanted to drop the opener but kept my mouth shut telling myself I was gonna be grand.

Wrapped and walked out, first of all light straight into my eyes my heart pounding I couldn't focus or concentrate. Horrendous technique. "drop into the squat let the wraps take over" was my mantra. Dropped the weight... nothing.

No leg drive. No strength. "take the weight off me yis ****s" I thought desperately. Walking away I knew, just knew that I wasn't going to make those lifts. I had no mental strength, lads were lifting huge weights there and I struggled with a weight I'd smashed only two weeks previously.

My coaches just told me to get my head straight, they thought it was just nerves but I was done. Walked out again and dropped into the hole, nothing. Shame isn't even enough to cover it:(:(

Anyway what frustrated me even more was that my bench went perfect, matched my PR which after the squat disaster was a miracle. Deadlift went slower but that was sheer exhaustion and to add insult to injury I dropped my third attempt, my PB through tiredness.

Game over. I was a wreck yesterday and even though the tiredness is going my mind is all over the place. Now the body shape I was accepting cos of increasing my total is annoying the f**k out of me.

Anyway, rant over, excuse the emotional nature of the post but powerlifting has become a passion and I put my heart and soul into training for the last 9 months, 4 days a week with mobility and solid "80% of the time" nutrition and I'm just empty after the weekend.

My preparation on the day was a disaster, I should have kept more of an eye on the proceedings but I genuinely never thought they'd be so far ahead of schedule. Other lads arrived with less time to warm up than I did!

I'm gutted because I'm a far better squatter than what I put on display and I hate that I let myself down like that.

Has anyone got any advice, criticism or beer :pac::rolleyes::o