A
year ago, I stood in the parking lot of my gym, tears running down my face in
between prowler runs. (I know sounds ridiculous)... I had been
following posts about Nationals that weekend, and was slightly upset at myself
for not being there. The day I competed
in Reno this fall, I had decided I should wait another year to attend Nationals. Being disappointed in my performance, I felt
I still needed some solid time to train and get stronger. Driving home however, I remembered the year
before, the feeling I had in that parking lot.
Someone also said “Why not compete against the best, find out where you
stand?” I decided I would commit the time
I had and compete at Nationals 2013 in Denison, Texas.
Training was hell some days, but I had to make up time. Focusing so much on the record breaker in Reno, I hadn’t put a lot of time into the events for Nationals. I had about 6 training weeks. Back to back event days, often at contest weight, I told myself I would show up without any regrets in my training. I can say I learned more about strongman, myself, and training in the weeks prepping for Nationals than any other contest or event.
Training was hell some days, but I had to make up time. Focusing so much on the record breaker in Reno, I hadn’t put a lot of time into the events for Nationals. I had about 6 training weeks. Back to back event days, often at contest weight, I told myself I would show up without any regrets in my training. I can say I learned more about strongman, myself, and training in the weeks prepping for Nationals than any other contest or event.
My
adventure to Denison, Texas started at 1:30am on Thursday, October 17. My flight didn’t leave Boise until 6:00am but
I couldn’t sleep. I made myself
breakfast at 2:00am, showered and got to the airport plenty early. Of course my bags were searched….and after a
slight struggle to get my bag at 50lbs, I made it. I arrived at Dallas Love, rented the Ford
Fiesta and headed to Denison. It was a
relief to just get there, get some food and groceries and settle in before the
rules meeting. I weighed in at 132lbs
(light weight is 140 and <)
I
don’t often feel very big, but in a room of 186 strongman/woman athletes, I’ve
never felt so small J They
discussed the rules, some event changes and how the two contest days would be
split up. I was happy we would be in the
first group starting at 10am Friday morning at Smitty’s Bar and Grill. After weighting in line to check my yoke
height, I got some more food, and tried to rest.
I
was pretty nervous Friday morning, but anxious.
I was finally able to meet so many of the athletes I have been following
for months and months on Facebook and training logs. Once the first event kicked off I started to
feel better and more comfortable.
First
Event: Axel Clean and Press Away (135lbs)
Confident in my pressing, I was thankful this was the first event. We were somewhat on a slope… I was hoping to hit 15 reps, I had 13 in training. But ended up tying for first with 11 reps (which actually is now a tied record with Stefanie Tropea).
Confident in my pressing, I was thankful this was the first event. We were somewhat on a slope… I was hoping to hit 15 reps, I had 13 in training. But ended up tying for first with 11 reps (which actually is now a tied record with Stefanie Tropea).
Second
Event: Frame Carry (400lbs)
I probably hated training this event more than any others. I was able to move 380lbs but not far, so I was hoping for the best. I picked up the frame, which fortunately didn’t feel too bad and actually came away with an event win.
I probably hated training this event more than any others. I was able to move 380lbs but not far, so I was hoping for the best. I picked up the frame, which fortunately didn’t feel too bad and actually came away with an event win.
Third Event: Axle Deadlift (275lbs)
This was an event change. We were supposed to do frame deadlifts with 550lbs, but due to a few of us being vertically challenged, they changed it to and axle deadlift. Deadlifts not exactly being my strongest event, I was happy with 9 reps, a PR, but would set me way back in points. Getting the deadlift suit on I have learned is far from easy, much less pulling in it. After struggling to get out of it, I felt nauseous and tried to lay down and rest as much as possible for the last event.
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| Lucky pink chucks, signed by Robert Oberst :) |
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| These things are impossible. Thank you ladies :) |
Final
Event on Day 1: Wheelbarrow Load and Carry (kegs from 150-175lbs) (I think J)
Three kegs were lined up at 75’, 50’, and 25’ feet. Load each one into the wheelbarrow and then push the wheelbarrow 75’ or as far as possible. The kicker for me in this event, you only received points if the wheelbarrow moved. Since I failed at loading the 3rd keg, I got a big goose egg for this event, killing my standings for top 3 after day 1.
Three kegs were lined up at 75’, 50’, and 25’ feet. Load each one into the wheelbarrow and then push the wheelbarrow 75’ or as far as possible. The kicker for me in this event, you only received points if the wheelbarrow moved. Since I failed at loading the 3rd keg, I got a big goose egg for this event, killing my standings for top 3 after day 1.
I
knew I would have to make up a ton of points day 2 to make my goal of placing
top 5.
Day
2:
Event 1: Yoke (450lbs)
I love training yoke. I have gone up to 500lbs with the yoke in training, but I wasn’t sure how the BiggDogg yoke would vary from what I’m used to. I told myself I would run with it.
I had my yoke height set too high (note for next time) and the front and back clanged the ground as I tried to move quickly. I had to repick, but still finished with an event win with a little over 17 seconds.
Event 2: Press Medley
I was really looking forward to the press medley as pressing is a favorite… another event change, the dumbbell was increased to the 80lb BiggDogg circus db. I have never used a circus db. So I knew this would be a challenge. I hit the first three implements, 125lb axle, 100lb keg, and 135lb log easily, probably in the first 30 seconds, but unfortunately I couldn’t lock out the db. They didn’t use split time for this event, which was a downside for me, but that’s the way competing goes.
Event 1: Yoke (450lbs)
I love training yoke. I have gone up to 500lbs with the yoke in training, but I wasn’t sure how the BiggDogg yoke would vary from what I’m used to. I told myself I would run with it.
I had my yoke height set too high (note for next time) and the front and back clanged the ground as I tried to move quickly. I had to repick, but still finished with an event win with a little over 17 seconds.
Event 2: Press Medley
I was really looking forward to the press medley as pressing is a favorite… another event change, the dumbbell was increased to the 80lb BiggDogg circus db. I have never used a circus db. So I knew this would be a challenge. I hit the first three implements, 125lb axle, 100lb keg, and 135lb log easily, probably in the first 30 seconds, but unfortunately I couldn’t lock out the db. They didn’t use split time for this event, which was a downside for me, but that’s the way competing goes.
Last
Event: Stone Carry and Load Over 48” Bar
I knew going into the last event I was probably in 5th at best. I lost too many points on the wheelbarrow event. I was excited for the stones as I had never used a 200lb stone. I carried and loaded the first (150lbs) and the second (175lbs) and lapped and carried the 200 to the bar. I didn’t really time myself right, got in too big of a hurry and didn’t get the stone up high enough on my chest. I missed the third stone. I could barely walk after stones, my legs just kept shaking and giving out… crawled myself off the mat and cleaned off the tacky.
I knew going into the last event I was probably in 5th at best. I lost too many points on the wheelbarrow event. I was excited for the stones as I had never used a 200lb stone. I carried and loaded the first (150lbs) and the second (175lbs) and lapped and carried the 200 to the bar. I didn’t really time myself right, got in too big of a hurry and didn’t get the stone up high enough on my chest. I missed the third stone. I could barely walk after stones, my legs just kept shaking and giving out… crawled myself off the mat and cleaned off the tacky.
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| Headed to the Arnold Classic! |
I figured they
would take top 3 athletes from my class to The Arnold Classic. That night they announced the top 6 would get
an invite. I placed 5th. I was dancing around like a little kid. My first Nationals and I qualified for the
big show.
I have a lot of people to thank for their encouragement and support. I have learned more about myself in training and competing than I ever expected and I encourage anyone to step out there and compete, even when you feel unprepared and afraid. I know my weaknesses and I will hammer them in training up until the Arnold at the end of February. I hear a lot of reasons why people didn’t place where they wanted to, or thought they deserved. Bottom line is I placed 5th because of the weaknesses I have and lack of experience with some implements. Not due to a judge not counting a rep, unfair rules, or event changes. I will get stronger.
I went into Nationals knowing I could do well at the pressing events. I
ended up winning two other events, so you just never know unless you show
up!
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| Chad Smith, owner of Smitty's Bar and Grill Thank you for hosting us! |
Big thanks to Dione Wessels and her crew, a lot of people volunteered and worked harder than any athlete to make the event possible!
"It is not the
critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or
where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the
man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and
blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually
strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who
spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph
of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while
daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid
souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
~Theodore Roosevelt
