Eat. Lift. And Remember to Breathe

Snake River Strongman Challenge  May 4, 2013 Nampa, Idaho

The last couple months of my training have been interesting to say the least. From two black eyes, 5 stitches, and smashing my hand with the stone, I was mostly hoping to come out of the Snake River Strongman Challenge injury free. Aside from the blonde mishaps, there were also a lot of good things as well.  About two weeks prior to the contest I finally humbled myself into asking for more help, mostly with nutrition and contest prep. I love learning about different thoughts of training and dieting, so I nagged Relentless Gym with endless questions and comments. Without this step, I knew I'd be cutting myself short in reaching both long and short term goals.  About four days after starting this new plan, I hit a PR with my deadlift, pulling 305. Not the smoothest deadlift, but a PR I was happy with. 

So back to the contest... so I decided to follow up afterwards because within two days following, a handful of people were asking me about strongman, where to train, and how to get started. It really hit me at the contest that not much more than a year ago I competed in my first contest. I am incredibly thankful for strongman and the difference it has made in my life, so promoting the sport is what its all about. If someone can learn about it from a small blog or video I post, cheers! My friend Kalle also mentioned a blog would be a good idea, thanks for the nudge. 

The contest was held outdoors at a local Crossfit gym in Nampa, Idaho. JoAnn Hagadorn was the promoter of the contest and did an amazing job running a fluid event.  We started with the competitors meeting, the head judge telling us what you can and can’t do…me trying as hard as I could to keep what little food I had in my stomach and to focus on what he was saying without my nerves getting the best of me.  I am still learning how to best warmup the day of a contest as well as eat throughout the day without getting sick. The first event is always a little sketchy.

Event 1: Last Man Standing Log Press

Women’s Light Weight started with 100lb log. Each press increased by 10lbs. Fail to lock out your press, you’re done. The first few presses were basically my warmup. Up to 150 felt good as I tried to ignore the sound system screeching mid press lol. At 160 I had to split and was a little shaky, but locked it out. 170 I missed. It’s my PR in training, but I didn’t get it when it mattered. My back was really tight with the clean and call me crazy but pressing outside in open space is very disorienting. So outside training begins J

Event 2: Farmers

LWW started with 110lb suitcase farmers in each hand. 15lbs were added after 25ft, once you drop, you are done. I went up to 170 in each hand and finished at 173.9'

Event 3: Tire Flip

I changed my shoes I don’t know how many times thinking the next event was the deadlift…nope tire. They had two tires going at the same time, moving things right along. The tire stood upright and once they said “flip”, I shoved the tire and just kind of zoned out and got in my awkward groove that works for me when it comes to a 450lb tire for 60 seconds. I think I got about 9 flips and won in distance by a short 4’.

Event 4: 18” Tire Deadlift, Reps for 60 seconds

Finally, the deadlift. I don’t think it was quite 18”, but didn’t matter too much. My blonde hair was obvious in this event as I pulled the first rep and stared at the judge like I was going to get another command. LOL, just go he yelled. Oh, shi* okay…just pull, down command, pull; down command, pull... Finished with 24 reps. A weird rush of both adrenaline and exhaustion hit you all at once. This is where I say, I absolutely love strongman :)

Event 5: Stone Over Bar (49”)

Stones. The last few contests, the stone event has not been my claim to fame. More like a fine line of punching a window and wanting to scream. August 2012 I zeroed the stone in Reno. In training I was getting better, but still the height of the bar was always a challenge and getting more than one rep just didn't happen. So, I tackied up, told my brother, “I’m not going to zero this *&%! stone.”  Again, very weird mindset you get into as people are screaming, the judge staring at the stopwatch, and hoping the stone will just cooperate this time. I finished with 4 reps. Had the 5^th up, but it turns out it’s a good idea to breathe and I got dizzy, stressed on time and dropped it. I wasn't even sure how many I had gotten I was so out of it. Once again, I love strongman J Roller coaster of emotions, but these are the best. Overcoming something that had knocked me down and felt so discouraged from in the past. 

My goal going into this contest to was to win each event. Some were close, but I did it. I won each event and more importantly I walked away learning more about myself and what I need to do to continue to improve.  Almost anyone in Strongman will tell you the best part about the sport is the people.  I've made the best friendships with people from all over the world.

My training will now focus on preparing for the Nevada Trucking Association Strongman Record Breaker in Reno, Nevada. Until then, I will keep working hard, dialing in my training, and remember to breathe as I can hear shouted at me almost in every video :) 

Deadlift Face :) 

I'm behind the tire on the left. Too small for Strongman?