Well I finally did it after nearly 13 years I made my return to individual sports. This as most of you will know is something I have wanted to do for a long time, however, between rugby, studies, family and work commitments and of course injuries I have kept putting it off!!!!
Well a number of months ago I made the decision that this wasnt going to happen again I was going to do it I was going to enter a powerlifting meet and I loved it. It was a long couple of months training, but very enjoyable, and an even longer eight weeks of dieting (which wasnt so much fun) but as I said I loved it and it was well worth it.
Well this is a quick recap of how that day went. I was up early half six to be exact we were leaving at half seven for weigh in andregistration at half eight. I ate I light snack before leaving but stomach had butterflies so couldn’t handle much. On arrival I weighed in at 66k a little lighter than I had hoped for the senior 67.5k class but was thankful I wasn’t over the limit!! My stomach had settled by this stage so managed to get a better meal in and continued to sip on my water, then it was time go get warmed up! Squat was first up and I felt pretty good I hit my opening lift with ease in the warm up and went in comfortable. I called for 115k on the bar and then my name was called on a shuffled breathing deeply trying not to look nervous as everyone stared at me, I unracked the bar waited for my squat command and went for it down and explode up an easy first attempt and I was officially a competative powerlifter. Next up was 122.5k and again bang easy so feeling confident I went for 130k, this however didnt go aswell I sank way to deep and allowed my knees to buckle and as soon as this happened I new I had lost the lift.
Next up was the bench and without boring you it took the exact same path 90k opener, 97.5k second attempt then an awful attept and fail at 103k (a weight I had hit a number of times in the gym!!!). Overall the day was a success I came away with two gold medals and the title of senior 67.5k squat and bench national single lift champion. But lets be serious this is not what it was about for me it was the experience the smell of chalk and talk in the air, the nervous atmosphere from even the seasoned guys and being able to test myself outside my comfort zone. I cant wait to go at it again and started training for the April meet today were I will also deadlift so bring it on. As a final thought I would like to congratule Davy Doyle on setting a new WORLD RECORD squat of 301.5k it was an inspiration to us all.
See you soon
Mike
[...] I took part in my first ever powerlifting meet the national single lifts and I managed to walk away with two medals but more importantly loved the day and can’t wait to compete again. Here is the original post I entered if you are interested http://mikebolgerstrength.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/my-first-powerlifting-meet/ [...]