2013 XPC Semi Finals Meet Write Up

Saturday I competed at the XPC Semi Finals. I had an awesome training cycle and had very high hopes going into this meet. I flew up Thursday afternoon and met up with friends and are really good. I had moved up from the 275 weight class to the 308's.  I wasn't worrying about my weight. Friday morning I weighed in at 290.something. That had been my average weight and my gear had been fitting perfect right there. I was with Mick, Drew, Justin, and Brian from Omaha Barbell and we went on an eating mission Friday. That night I weighed over 296...that's the most I've ever weighed. But, I felt really good. We had went to the Elitefts Compound for some pre-meet training and my body was ready to lift right then. I didn't get a lot of sleep with the anxiety of the meet.Saturday morning I was pretty worked up already at breakfast. I ate a little bit and started to hydrate the best I could. During warm ups I could feel myself letting my knees drift forward in my squats. I thought it might just be the lighter weights and my heavier bodyweight. I got to 715 which would be my opener and took it down and my knees went forward again, so bad I had them take the weight. I was very frustrated and concerned with what was going on. Brian changed my opener, which caused a brief argument between us that he did win...It's hard to argue with facts... I was sucking ass that day and I needed to go out and be OK. I took my opener squat, 760, and it was nice and smooth. Knees were forward but not to bad. Went for a PR of 810 on the next and got it pretty good too but I felt a strain in my lower back and oblique on my right side.

 We decided that I would take 830 and unrack it and see what it felt like. I did, and when I broke at the hips all of those muscles told me they weren't cooperating with me so I racked it. Disappointed because I have more than that but it was a PR. Bench warm ups felt spot on. Opener was 575 and it was smooth and easy. I went to 605 which would be a 5lbs PR. I set up and took the weight down pretty good. When I got the press command and drove with my legs my left foot slipped about 6" forward. That threw my balance off and I dumped it. Very annoyed... Took it again and pressed it easy.

So with the squat and bench being off just a few pounds it all added up to a bigger than I wanted necessary pull. I would have to pull 675 to qualify elite and make it to the Arnold. My training had actually been going very well up until four weeks out. I was going to open with 6 and then get my total and if things were OK try for a PR. But by meet time I knew the dead was trying to fall apart. So I opened with 575 which I got OK but wasn't as easy as it should be. I came to qualify so I went straight to 675. Went after it twice and both times stalled at the knees. This sucks... I hate you Deadlift!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I'm trying to figure out what to do. I'll probably do the open meet that's either Friday or Sunday in Columbus. I love going up for the Arnold and Mindy is going this time. I have to seriously look at everything with Brian and make some big adjustments. It is my main goal to PR my dead in March. The list of thank you's is long. Brian Carroll, Ria Carroll,Clint Smith, Brian Mull, Mick Manley, Justin Graalfs, Drew Kleymann,Chad Walker, Greg Staruk, Torey Haun, John Romoser, Phil Halliwell, and I know there's many more. Especially my mother Joye Cole for the help and support. But, most importantly, and without your support and dedication none of this would happen - Thank You Mindy! Thank you.