UPA Nationals

UPA Nationals- Sandwich, IL 4/17/11

We hit the road around 1pm Saturday, making our way to Sandwich IL, a nearly 3 hour drive from South Bend, IN to make weigh ins that evening. My training partner drove, I rode shotgun and helped with directions, and my brother was in back (he is our video guy). We made it there in good time, I weighed in at 272lbs.

That night, I got maybe 4-5 hrs sleep max. I never sleep well in hotels. It was a lot of fall asleep, wake up, lay there for an hour, fall asleep, wake up and pee, lay there etc.

The morning of the meet I was up at 6am, took a hot shower, ate a few zebra cakes and took a serving of Real Mass. I didn’t really have an appetite. My training partner and I went down to breakfast where I tried eating some eggs and a biscuit and gravy, but I felt like I was going to vomit so I didn’t eat much.

Fast forward to 9am. We had just finished the rules meeting, my partner is in the 2nd flight for squats, I am in the third, I felt like I was going to vomit again. I made my way to the bathroom and did this time…There went my breakfast. Thankfully though, being in the third flight, I had almost 2hrs before I would squat. After vomiting I began second guessing myself and if things were going to go my way today or if I’d even make it past squats. I took my time and slowly started eating again and sipping Gatorade. I was feeling better.

Warmups- Squats

I began warming up with lots of time to spare. There was no rush so i did 135/225 for several sets over the course of a half hour or so. My warm up progression went something like 135x8,8/225x5,5/315x3/405x1/435x1. I was feeling not so good about the 405 and 435. I was in back warming up with Chris Hickson (Bigleanman on another forum you may know of) and he assured me my squats were good and I’d be fine of the platform. I thank him for the confidence boost. I did this meet with belt/sleeves like usual.

Attempt 1- 501.5lbs/227.5kg Good lift

This was easy. After the unrack I felt great. Everything went well with this attempt.

Attempt 2- 534.5lbs/242.5kg Good lift

My previous best was 525, I figured a 10lb jump would be a sufficient move. And it proved to be a great choice, 10lb pr in the bag.

Attempt 3- 545.5lbs/247.5kg Good lift

Made another 10lb jump for my 3rd attempt. If I hit this it would have meant I hit my 6 month goal of 545 squat in competition. While on deck, my training partner began getting me in the zone. This is what I came here to do he said, I couldn’t give up. All I remember is descending, coming out of the hole, and sticking. I was just stuck there. I knew right away I needed to drive my head back into the bar and I could hear the rear spotter yelling at me. I was not giving up. This was my weight. The grinder from hell got me 3 white lights. 20lb meet pr.

Warmups- Bench

I was concerned all week with my shoulder. I still dont know what I did to it but thankfully it didnt bother me on bench at all. Warmed up to 275x1 paused.

Attempt 1-314.1lbs/142.5kg Good lift

Felt good, no problems

Attempt 2- 341.7lbs/155kg Good lift

This would give me a 6lb pr. No giving up on this. Solid lift

Attempt 3- 352.7lbs/160kg Good lift

After the way 341 went I knew i had my goal of 350+ in the bag. Again, a solid lift. Everything went great on bench. 17lb meet pr

Warmups-Deadlift

Warmups for the deadlift went well. At this point in the meet I was drained. I had been there nearly 8-9 hrs, each time I was in the 3rd flight so there was lots of waiting. I warmed up to 455 for a single.

Attempt 1- 507lbs/230kg Good lift

Easy opener. Felt great

Attempt 2- 545.6lbs/247.5kg Good lift

This is a 5lb meet pr.

Attempt 3- 567.6lbs/257.5kg Good lift

I knew for this attempt I needed to keep my hips down if I were to get this lift. When I get tired they tend to raise up and put me in a weak position. I did just what i planned to do and kept them nice and low and got good leg drive off the floor. 27lb meet pr.

I ended the day going 9/9 with 65.9lbs in meet pr’s since my last full meet in Jan and a 1465.9lb total. I took 2nd in the Jr 275 class. Great meet, my thanks go out to the promoters, spotters and loaders that made it possible.

My partner went 501/314/551 and 9/9 as well.

Within the next year my goal is to break the 1500lb mark in the 275′s remaining drug free.

I also met Eric Lilliebridge. Nice guy. Very helpful and willing to talk to anyone. Nothing bad to say about him.