There were quite a few powerlifting posts in my Instagram feed this weekend. And I noticed that it was not the biggest lifts that were the most amazing.... but it was the ones that were a surprise. Not the monster (affectionately!) who squatted well over 700#, but rather the lifter who looked like a 'regular dude' (or dudette) and still pulled, or pushed a relatively big number. That 'wow, I didn't expect that' moment is pretty sweet. I again realize we are so, so much more than what you can see.
I know that for some people, seeing the biggest dudes do the crazy lifts is the only thing that charges them up. But for me, I like the element of surprise.....
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I was talking to the Mavens last week about long term goals with powerlifting. And I told them what I am about to tell you. I want to qualify for nationals in 2021. It's a long way away, I know. But I will be in the next age group up, and I figure I can improve at least for 2 more years... (I don't really improve in any great leaps, but I think it's reasonable to make some small gains for at least that long). and then even maintaining, for the year I would be Master Level II, the standards should be do-able.
I think it would be an amazing experience, and if I can't do it by then, well, it's unlikely I'd ever be able to do it. So I am setting the bar (pun intended) for a meet around my 50th birthday with PR #s. Now I just have to do the work, which I enjoy anyway! I usually don't have an interest in sports (other than Formula 1). A live game of anything is always fun, but I have no drive to watch anything. Even during the Olympics, I usually will pause for a moment for something like gymnastics (how do they DO that?!) or Ski Jumping (WHY do they do that ?!).... just because it's such an amazing spectacle.
Yet now that I have a sport of my own, I found myself more interested in the Olympics this year. I watched some of the decathlon coverage, and they talked a lot about it being a competition against your own numbers, and your own fatigue. I understood. This same week, I received my first issue of the IPF Magazine ( http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/media/ipf-magazine.html - I doubt the link will work forever , but there you go...) One of the articles was about the IPFs drive to join the Olympics. Interesting journey. Anyway, from Zero interest in sports, to both watching for fun, and getting a sports magazine subscription in the same week. Overboard? I was in my first powerlifting meet yesterday. I hesitate to call it a competition; I pulled less weight than anyone. Well, except the guy that bombed out on his three benchpress attempts and didn't get to finish.
And I finally get the concept of only competing against yourself. I never understood it when golfers talked about it. And to be fair, I'm pretty sure a number of them (golfers and powerlifters) care a lot more about competing with the other participants than it being only about beating your best. But, I'm really not worried about the low weight, or my missed third attempt on bench. In fact, I'm really proud I tried for the 115# BP. I've never been able to do it in the gym before with the pause, & I was feeling really good. And maybe I could have gotten it if I was just a bit slower. But I actually tried something that had a goodly chance of failure ..... In front of a bunch of people. Because nobody wanted me to miss. It wasn't a competition at that moment; not against each other anyway. Just me and the bar. And everyone got it. And now I have numbers. A very clear place from which to improve. To measure progress. I was impressed by a lot of people yesterday. But I don't remember their numbers. Just their resolve. Me. The bar. It's so simple that it's hard to understand how I didn't get it before. But I do now. And that's progress too.... So, that's a bit of an issue. 3kgs over the weight I want to be for the meet in a week. Garth and Jerimiah don't want me to do any cutting ...and to be fair; I should have been a bit more controlled before, but it is what it is and I don't want to abuse myself over it. There's enough going on with a first meet that some compassion is in order as well. There's that theme again. Anyway, in looking at cutting (not gonna but was ...) there was some stuff that I divited I CAN do that will move me closer without undue pressure. And just cause I won't make it is no reason to give up, either. I am just not ramping up to crazy. So here's the plan;
Oh, and I went for a run tonight. :) At the outset of the year, I decided that I wanted to improve, but resolutions were not exactly for me. But I did want to think about what was IMPORTANT for me, and keep those at the forefront whenever possible. My list:
And they were about balance. Controlling food but not being compassionate to myself, for example, would not be a 'win'. Anyway, I was being a bit scared about the upcoming meet, and one of the Mavens referred to something that reminded me to check my list. My fear is allowed a voice: she is trying to protect me. So I should have compassion for myself, and not be embarrassed that I am afraid. But it won't decide.
KH thinks Instagram is killing powerlifting. That its losing its edge. That it's no longer true to its origins. I am one of those very same people influenced by my Instagram feed. And I love it.
'Cause while I hear him, I have to figure that if staying the way you were was so important.... he'd still only be pulling 3 plates.... Progress, after all, requires that you are not the same as before. It means better. I guess we just differ on whether we think the surge in popularity, and the way that it's being shared has made it better, worse, or just changed it. I guess I can only say..... better for ME! We also debated the POINT of sports. He insists (and my sweet better half agrees) that it's ONLY about winning and losing. The whole point. The be-all-and-end-all. I disagree, but it's based on feeling, vs rational. But I figure that if I push myself to a limit (an HONEST push). If I am improving. If I don't give up. (And have fun), then it still counts. Win or lose. So.... it's a SPORT, and I AM AN ATHLETE. |
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