On a last minute whim, I decided 2 weeks ago to sign up for a local weightlifting meet.
It's been 4 months since State, where I tore my shoulder on my 3rd snatch. Nationals is less than 2 months away. Though I wondered whether it was wise to compete again with my shoulder not quite at 100%, I also didn't want to go 6 months without competing before my 2nd time on a national platform.
Recent training sessions indicated my shoulder was handling heavier weights well enough; and for my mental state leading up to Nats, my coach and I decided getting in a meet would be a good idea. I didn't post or talk about it. I just kept my focus on the mission and executed.
There is ALWAYS room for improvement, but considering the circumstances I am 1) content with how it went and 2) glad I made the choice to compete.
SNATCH: 83kg / 183lb ✅ 86kg / 190lb ✅ 90kg / 198lb ✅
C&J: 105kg / 232lb ✅ 110kg / 243lb ❌ 110kg ❌
TOTAL: 195kg
My first goal was to get redemption on the 88kg snatch after injuring myself on that weight in January. I'm pleased to have done that and more.
My second goal was to finally get 110kg on the C&J. I fell short here. Since the shoulder injury, I've done a LOT of pulls and cleans and hardly any jerks - and it showed. I was able to start doing jerks again in early April, and heavy jerks only 3 weeks ago. I simply didn't have enough reps of heavy jerks leading up to this meet, and I couldn't lock out 110.
On the bright side, the 110kg cleans felt like I had more in the tank. I know what I need to work on.
In January I didn't think I'd be competing at Nationals, or possibly competing at all this year. To have the second best meet of my life four months later… I think I'll call that a win.
Special shout outs to:
palomastrength for doing my badass braids
fleo / katevibert for the sleek new singlet
mitch_rogersdc and mike.mark.mork for helping me rehab my shoulder
joellerblades for being my rock, supporter, photographer, and doer of all things
And my coach, Richard Flemming, who turns 76 years old today and still coaches purely for love of the sport. 🙏🏼🏋🏻♀️
#onward