Bench

I was in my first weight lifting competition today.  I made the decision to compete six weeks ago.  I knew I wasn't giving myself adequate time to train, but I was determine to do the best I could on that timeline.  In the scheme of power lifting, the bench press is my weakest lift, therefore, I wanted to compete so I would be forced to push myself.

On week one, I got bronchitis, lost 4 days of training and my training partner.  I was told I wasn't taking the competition seriously and that I was on my own.  I was really disappointed but I
couldn't let the doubt of others stop me.  I decided that if I could find someone to spot me, I could figure out the rest. 

My husband does not have an interest in lifting heavy things for fun, nor has he ever had the desire to work out at the gym but he stepped up and volunteered to help me train anyway  His decision to help me was a perfect example of how he backs me up 100% .  He was completely selfless about giving me his early mornings twice a week for something that was not going to directly benefit him.  There is certainly a relationship related moral in there somewhere. 

 I had a couple good resources to refer to and studied as much as I could about the bench press and how to execute it properly.  I picked my friend's brain at least once a week and trained with my husband twice a week for 5 weeks. 

The day I signed up for the event I felt really good about it.  I smiled all day and was motivated to do everything right in the final stretch of training.  I ate super clean, followed instructions given to me by a fellow lifter and friend and was very much looking forward to the competition.

My last training session before the event went terribly.  I was struggling to put up my warm up weight and was frustrated to the point that I couldn't focus on the work I was there to do.  Part of me wanted to walk out but the other part of me was reminded that when things get uncomfortable, something amazing is about to happen.  I pushed through it and was very uncertain about what was happen at the meet.  I finally accepted that a bad workout is just one workout and focused on my next one.

The day of the competition finally arrived and I was feeling a little bit nervous.  When we arrived,  I just wanted to get in there, get warmed up and focus on what I was there to do.  When I got inside the gym, two big guys helped me warm up and explained exactly what was going to happen. I was very relieved and ready to go.

I was the first person to lift in the whole event.  This was something I had been worried about the entire training period.  Of course I pulled my confidence out of  my spandex waistband and executed a solid 100 lb lift.  My second was 120lbs and I took third place with 130lbs. I have to say that I am happy with that.  I know I put in three solid lifts and  made progress through this experience. I can't wait for the next one.