Before I continue, this is a lifting related blog post. Not a big fancy Christmas thing I’m doing. Sorry. But while I’m on the subject of Christmas, I have been giving away treats on Instagram, so that might pique your interest? Just saying.
Back to lifting, for those of you still here. This weekend was a Christmas competition with the BPU/ABPU federation in Macclesfield. Though I primarily compete with GPC-GB, this time around, we’re going for more competitions (i.e. coach says I’m doing more). Basically, I’m a little out of practice dealing with nerves etc when I’m only competing once a year. So we added a couple of extra competitions going forward.
And after this weekend, I’m adding the Christmas Extravaganza to my annual competition list. Because I really enjoyed it. And not because I went 9 for 9, or won anything, because, well I didn’t. More on my failed lifts later!
Everything began on Sunday, cold and grey. The venue was The Academy Group Transformation Centre in Macclesfield, and as both myself and my husband walked in, the first lifters were getting started. The day was filled with both raw lifters (like me) and equipped lifters, who use suits and shirts to enable them to lift heavier weights.
I’d weighed in the day before, so had managed an extra hour or two in bed instead of an on the day weigh in, so was feeling pretty chilled and rested to be honest. Thanks to a nasty cold, I had almost a two week run up to this competition. Plenty of time to rest, eat, and save myself for the day. My coach was happy.
I wasn’t when he missed his stop on the train and had to race back from Crewe, so I began my bench warm up solo (and thankfully it wasn’t a straight to Euston train). I was going for both bench and deadlift. The Extravaganza offered either or both, and then there was the option of the curl. My bicep curl is nothing to write home about (let alone compete with), so I stuck with the usual lifts.
In the end both made me very happy.
Bench was 57.5kg for my opener (a personal best in competition straight away).
60kg for my second.
62.5kg for my third. The last was a fail – it got stuck half way and despite giving it everything (legs, arms, lats, chest, willpower) it wouldn’t go any higher.
Deadlift was a similar story. 110kg flew.
115kg was solid.
120kg was a fail.
Though I lifted it, my finger, much like at No Dumbelles, got stuck in my singlet and so with nowhere to go it was more of a shrug/hitch at the top. A red light from any Ref. Annoying, but it means it’s there, I just need more baby powder on my legs to help my hands slide up cleanly.
So why was it so good? Firstly the fails were ‘good’ fails. Both enabled us to see where there’s a problem and fix it. Secondly the venue, though small, was fantastic. Sure, the warm up was crowded as hell, and it was freezing. But the atmosphere, the mix of people, the set up, all made up for it.
Special mention to the spotter who would shout ‘go on lass!’ before each of my deadlifts. Maybe it’s the thing I have for a northern accent, I’m not sure. But I love you. I need someone like you as a personal cheerleader please.
The added bonus was being able to go to Red Willow for a beer afterwards. That’s the kind of reward I’m talking about post competition.
So I’ll see you next year Macclesfield.
Thank you, as always to Serg, Claudia for handling me on the day, and the husband for being bag watcher, cheerleader, support, human hot water bottle and post lift cuddler.
