The athlete area was quite cramped and while there was an extra Monolift and a mini platform for deadift warm ups it was going to be tight given the number of lifters and I was already thinking about how to get my warm-ups in.
First up I had time to steady the nerves by watching the womens section. PTC had 2 entrants competing, Dani in the Masters1 and Amy in the Juniors. Amy was a good chance to set some records and duly delivered a couple of the junior records, below is her final attempt on the squat.
As the women's flight was running through deadlifts I began my squat warm up jumping in with a number of the guys. The 75kg was being run with the 82.5 and 90's all as a single flight so it was a busy warm up area to say the least. Adding to the anticipation, I was second on the platform!
I'm called into the hole and make my way to the waiting area on stage. The nerves are kicking in as I have read a million articles that reinforce the importance of making your squat opener. Big Dazzer begins wrapping my knees and there is that specific powerlifting feeling as my lower legs numb up a little. Called up to the platform I chalk up for the lift, ref looks across and announces bar is loaded.
I make my way on wrapped legs to the squat rack, look out into the crowd and feel the energy of the place. Given how many issues I have had with injury and getting used to the wraps and monolift I am feeling the nerves on this attempt. Based on my last week of training this opener is a full 13kg's lower than my recent PB so I should have this. I get under the bar plant the feet and feel the weight on my traps, stand up and get the 'squat' command.
Down I go into the hole and its quick and ridiculously light, too light. I hit bottom and inexplicably I pause in the hole for a faction and bounce a little as if its a training warm up. Fuck, that bounce meant I went back down for a second and it's an automatic 3 red lights across the board. Nice one Thomo you newbie dick!
Flip my belt lever and waddle off stage as I undo my wraps. I'm pissed at myself but as I stop by the judges table I ask for the next lift to be increased by 5kgs. Back into the warm-up area I get plenty of support and advice. One of the things that became apparent was how supportive the power-lifting community is, every guy and girl knows what its like to be under that bar. Regardless of which club the guys were from I was feeling plenty of support.
The minutes tick by and in no time I find myself back on stage being chalked for attempt two. I really need to get this. I take another look into the crowd as I settle under the bar, I grip tight and stand up. Feet set, big breath and then squat. Boom, straight out of the bottom, deep and again surprisingly fast. The rack command comes and I spin around nervously but it's all good 3 white lights and I am now on the scorecard!
I let the judges know I want another 20kg's which will be a new PB and my first genuine + double bodyweight squat. I then hang back to watch Spencer, one of my team mates lift. He is 10 years younger and lifting in the heavier weight class but our lifts are almost identical in weight and its great having a team mate so closely matched. He grinds out a nice 140kg through the sticking point and we compare notes on the way back to the warm up area.
About now the nerves settle and I start to enjoy the competition experience. Even at this stage it becomes apparent that the selection of the weight for the 3 attempts is critical. On reflection it's clear I got this wrong for the entire meet. I tended to grind out a second attempt but gassed out for my final attempt. I will work on this for nationals.
So here I am hands on the bar for my last squat attempt. I can hear the other lifters yelling support, I grip the bar tight and wedge it into my trap, waiting for the command...'squat'. Down into the hole and then DRIVE..hips are coming up chest is high, I hit the sticking point..slow fractionally, stay tight... and then stand up with that fucker. The 'rack' command is the sweetest sound only exceeded by the glow of three white lights! A 10kg PB Boom!
On wobbly legs I unwrap and wait for Spencer's attempt at the same weight. Unfortunately he gets buried at the bottom after going far too deep otherwise he would have had it well covered.
Despite missing my opener I was stoked with the squat. Prior to the meet my adductor niggles had severely limited my preparation over the last 6 months. In fact until this meet and my final week of preparation I had been squatting maintenance weights a full 65 kg lower! However on the day my 2nd and 3rd attempt felt really solid and I will take a lot of confidence into Nationals from this 10kg personal best.
So time to rest and get my bench warm-ups done.
Just squat
Thomo
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