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As we set out for the BC Powerlifting and Bench press championships early Sunday June 26th we had our usual concerns...did we forget any equipment? were there enough "Power Drinks" or Meal replacement bars in the bags..would we weigh in within acceptable limits--would we make our goals in our lifts??
Would our style meet the tough demands of the BCPA judges?? Little did we accept a new unknown ....The "You cant get there from here" factor....as Nancy Carpenter and I motored down 4th avenue to the Jericho Hill venue...we noted a road block at 4th and Burrard..."Oh it's Kitsilano days..and the entire district is blocked off for a 'fair' or festival today ...how neat... but we'd better go up to Broadway" So after a "What the HELL is this??" from me --On Broadway it is (cue the Drifters)....now 5 minutes later...."What ?? oh no !! not again??" Greek days had blocked off Broadway at McDonald ..so another detour was made over to a continuation of 4th ave...just past Alma street ..what is coming our way?? a runners Marathon....heading right for us ...there is a lane to the side, but having 2000 runners coming at you in 3D is a little Felliniesque..not to mention how my diesel auto fuel is not being enjoyed by the runners passing 3 feet away from the car in the opposing lane...luckily we're very close to our destination and we turn from the choking runners and go up the hill to the venue...The area we lifted in was spacious and well set up with banners from sponsors and an attractive lifting area ..on this day everyone was extremely friendly and on a high positive mood wavelength --I've never seen such welcoming attitudes from every single lifter and judge...spotter, loader ..everyone was ready to have a great day..and we all did ! We had ample refreshments from the sandwich-apple-orange-muffin -coffee-pop booth--and sponsors like Popeyes supplements were on hand with samples and info on their products...Raptors Gym had the tee shirt concession and it seemed they sold completely out..there was rock music to accompany the lifting ..this was something that went over well at the Nationals and seems to be a trend everywhere now...It originated in more "Extreme Powerlifting feds." and is being adopted even by the more official and standard lifting associations such as the CPU/BCPA and USA's USAPL ..the DJ did a pretty good job and the scoreboard was projected for all to easily follow the meet saw many young lifters in their first contests..there was a predominance of RAW lifting and some extremely good numbers coming from that..in general the lifting was good with some very fine numbers coming from many of the best like Jay Arnold who is astonishing in the bench press...Gibby Chasse who set a new National record of 242.5 KGs in the 110 kg Open class in the Bench...Joe Oliviera did not disappoint with a great total..and in general a fine days lifting and inspiration took place on this day ! You'll find the results at this site Click here On my usual personal note Nancy Carpenter was there to 'up' the BC Bench only record and 'up' it she did to 75 KG ..Nancy was in battle with her friend/competitor Jane Smith who lifted in both the bench only and the 3 lift contest...both did extremely well ...and Nancy had been ill with the flu all week long ...even having to take days off from work for recovery from that strain that's going around that makes you feel like you'd rather be dead..luckily Nancy started feeling better Friday before the meet --that gave her 2 days to take her life back from this nasty flu...she lifted 'sick' but not so ill that she couldn't come out with first place in the bench only 75 kg class. I was out to "get my groove" back ..there has been something wrong with my form and confidence with the 500 barrier lately..before all the appearances in Powerlifting USA and internet forums as the first 60+ lifter to break the 500 PLUS barrier in the bench--I've been 'over thinking' my form and strength level and have even been so 'suggestable/superstitious' as to think the number 2005 (as in the year) was bad luck for me and that I couldn't wait for 2006 to start...But after training and resting and visulizing success I went into the Bench only Super Heavyweight battle against Warren Orr who has lately transformed himself to a more 'bodybuilder' sort of physique and is getting personal records in each contest so I had my work cut out for me..plus I'm 62 and he's very young ..this wasn't my usual 'masters 3 ' event this was the open...I opened conservatively with 485 pounds --success--501 --success --and 512.5 light as a feather EASY up so FAST but only one white light 2 judges would've liked a longer pause ..This had me winning the class and Warren was happy too because he got a personal record lift in both the bench only and the 3 lift meet !! wow good going Warren !!.. I now had my strength back --and was so confident about my strength level that day --I woulda bet on a 529 going up ..and I have Bruce Everett to thank...he's noticed on heavy training days at Nancie's ..that I am grooving the bar very close to the nipples and not down to the legal solar plexus area ..that re grooving of the bar has made me struggle with weights all year and it was a simple thing only a training partner can observe ..it cured my temporary loss of power this year armed with this confidence I can get my superheavyweight PR and WABDL World record way up high in the next meet. Oh flabby...er....HAPPY...day !!! |