Fit Expo Bench and Deadlift Invitational

This past weekend I had the honor of competing with some of the strongest ladies in the USA in the US Powerlifting Association's Fit Expo Bench and Deadlift Invitation Meet.

It was very fun, I had a blast even though I lifted Raw (no gear, just a belt), so my numbers, especially in my bench were way below most of the other ladies. My raw deadlift was about in the middle of the class. I weighted in at 141lbs and lifted in the 148 lb class. My powerlifting buddy Emilio from back in the day handed off and handled me, then he had to go for his softball game and Justin Lovato helped me with my deadlift. The slaps helped, thanks man! It was a huge crowd and lots of my golds gym buddies stopped by, hung out and cheered for me! it was soo cool! I was not nervous at all, I mean, its just for fun, right!?

In the Middle Weight (132,148, 165 pound) classes, I came in 3'd in the Bench and 3'd in the Deadlift out of 5 girls. Which is cool b/c I lifted raw, no bench shirt, no deadlift suit.

What I realized is that I am a way better Olympic Weightlifter than Powerlifter. I was one of the tallest girls there, definatly the tallest in my weight class! I realize that I love WL more than PL, but PL will ALWAYS  hold a special place in my heart and I know I will always be hitting up some PL meets! I love that I can't be pinned down as one or the other! I also love that I lift at "The Mecca of Bodybuilding!" I love combining aspects from all three sports to benefit each other.

I also met Olympian Cara Heads, which as very cool!! what an humble, amazing athlete and classy lady!

Thanks to Steve Chen, Max, and Larry for taking video and pics! My friend Larry lent me his mom's (how cool is that!?) old belt for DL in!

Faith and Patience

Well I better write down my 2011 goals before its not January anymore!

*Clean and Jerk 100 kilos in Competition-currently 96 kilos. handling 90 kilos on a weekly basis for multiple sets and doubles on jerks. 

*Be able to HANDLE 70 kilos in the Snatch in training-currently have randomly hit 70 in training and 65 consistently. 

*Back Squat 150 kilos-currently @ 136 kilos, and can hit 130 almost any day.

*Power Clean 85 kilos-currently @75 kilos for sets of doubles, 78-80 max PC. 

*Shoulder Press 135 lbs- currently @115 for triples. 

I have been thinking about the Pyramid Of Success lately, by John Wooden. He died about half a year ago. I have read most of his books and his ideas have formed a huge part of how athletes are spose to behave and act and view success and "failure."

My favorite idea that Wooden had is what is written at the top of the Pyramid. "FAITH AND PATIENCE."

Faith and Patience: all good things happen with time.

When I started Weightlifting I was 23 /24. WAY TOO OLD by anyones standards to start a sport, much less one that takes YEARS AND YEARS to get good at.  And that you have to start when you are FIVE!! I planned on WL till I was 30. Now I am 29. But I refused to believe that. I knew I had the perseverance and stamina to do whatever it took. I will be so tired from work, but the moment I step into the gym and smell the iron and sweat and I feel alive. Everything else melts away. Its just me and my passion. 

These are mostly the same goals I have had for years and years. Silly me thought that I was gonna clean and jerk 100 k in my first year of Olympic lifting. I had no idea that kind of strength/form/posture that it really takes. So these are my seemingly modest goals. When I accomplish them I will be very proud of myself. I love my sport more than anything. I would do anything to be able train everyday to improve.  I used to have daily training goals, ie, hit a certain number. I do not have those anymore. I do not need the extra pressure b/c I know I would never not try my absolute best every attempt. To not try my best would disgust me. 

I have faith in myself.

I trust myself that I will always Find A Way.

I believe that if I always give 100% and train smart I will do my best. Doing the best that you can do is all Wooden asked of his athletes and thats all that I ask of myself. Have fun, enjoy the ride and push harder!