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My First Super Total Meet
Yesterday I competed in my first ever Super Total Meet in Raleigh, NC. The Meet Director was Lynne Morehouse from Train Strongman, and he killed it. I had a blast. The events were Snatch, Clean & Jerk, Squat, Standing Strict Press, and Deadlift.
We started at 10a on the dot, and we were finished before 4p. I loved the pace. I train fast paced all the time, so this meet was perfect for me. If you were not in shape, yesterday’s competition would have been rough.
The meet brought together athletes from several sports. There were strongman competitors, weightlifters, powerlifters, and CrossFitters. I was one of the few that actually train for both sports, so I definitely had a slight advantage.
I ended up totaling 2230lb with a 285lb Snatch, 365lb Clean & Jerk, 650lb Back Squat, 255lb Strict Press, and a 675lb Deadlift. The Snatch tied my competition PR, the Clean & Jerk was a PR, the Back Squat was a PR, the strict press tied a PR, but I missed a 705lb Deadlift that would have been a PR. I went 14 for 15.
I had a strategy going into the meet, and I actually stuck to it for once. My goal was to open light, take a big jump to a normal-ish second attempt, and then PR on my third. Here is an example:
Snatch 255lb-270lb-285lb
The goal was to not bomb of course, and with five lifts there were plenty of opportunities. The Snatch is always the easiest to bomb on, so I opened with something that I could power snatch with ease. I definitely sacrificed an attempt at a PR, but in the Snatch I just wanted to get every pound possible.
I applied the same strategy to the strict press because I am not as familiar with this lift. I wasn’t 100% on how I would feel at this point of the competition. I opened up at a very light 205lb. Then I jumped up to 235lb, and then I ended with a PR tie of 235lb. Now I am not a fan of matching a PR, but a Five Lift Meet is different. All of these were PRs in such an event. I just wanted to put up as big a total as possible.
Here are a few takeaways:
1. Tapering from the #SquatEveryDaySuperTotal was golden. I have never felt so fresh and ready for a meet. I started to taper two weeks ago, and then really cut back this past week. My legs felt brand new.
2. New Challenges is the key to staying in this game for the long haul. This event was totally new to me. It felt like that first weightlifting meet, or that first powerlifting meet. It was a new adventure, and I was going to attack it.
3. Once again, I was reminded about the power of the Barbell to bring people together in a very special way. All of the competitors are now my friends. My biggest competitor, Josh Wells, hung out with me all day. We actually shared strategies all day to help each other. He actually taught me a better pressing technique.
Having my family at the event was a true blessing. My wife, Emily Drew, my son, Rock, and my mother and father-in-law, Rick and Mary Taylor all made the trip down to watch me compete. I tell you that it is an unfair advantage for me to have my wife and son sitting right in front of me when I am lifting. The love that I have for them radiates from my body like a nuclear reactor. It’s like nothing that I have ever experienced in my life.
I used to lift with hate and rage. I can honestly say that extreme love trumps rage and anger any day. My love for them is so overwhelming that it actually fills like my body is being warmed from the inside out. I wish that I had them around when I was competing at the top of my game. I would have broken many more records than I actually did. I often wonder why God blessed me so plentifully with such an amazing family. I know that I don’t deserve it, but I am very thankful.
Adventure! That is the key to my success competing at a high level at 42-years-old. Also taking the time to experience the people has always been a favorite of mine. Yah when it is time to go out and lift, I focus and keep to myself. However in between attempts and events, you can count on the fact that I am going to be enjoying all of my new friends. That’s the whole essence of “The Barbell Life”!
I am competing in one more Super Total Meet again in December down in Miami with my friend Danny Lopez at CrossFit Soul. I am excited because I love Danny and his whole crew. It should be a lot of fun. I hope that I have encouraged all of you to step outside of your comfort zone. Just compete! It’s always fun!
We are looking for partners with the immediate need on sending our onsite athletes to the American Open. We are not looking for handouts. Here is what we are offering:
• Free Consultation with me that is Coach Mash for a Donation in any amount. We can cover any topic that you need help with: programming, business, technique, muscular balance, or any other topic
• Free “I Do What I Want” T-Shirt and a Consultation for a Donation above $50
• Free 12 Week Personalized Program along with the Consultation and T-Shirt with any donation above $175
Here is where you Donate:
Help Support Team Mash Mafia Weightlifting
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Aweome article.. and the thing about your family was beautiful.. I totally understood and felt what you meant.. keep on killing it!