First Powerlifting Meet

Up until recently, I never really had any interest in competitive lifting. Sure, I’ve always lifted heavy in training, and have always lifted with strength as my primary goal, but never really with an intent on competing. It wasn’t until fairly recently after a few people suggested to me in passing that I enter a powerlifting competition that I decided to do it.

Needless to say, this past weekend on June 5th 2010 I competed in my first powerlifting meet: USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Orange County Powerlifting Championships. I had about 6 weeks to prepare, since that’s about when I decided that I wanted to do it. Not really knowing what the expect heading in, I contacted a number of friends for help, including Jedd Johnson of the Diesel Crew and 7 Time Master’s World Champion Ellen Stein. Ellen was a tremendous help and I would like to take this chance to thank her one more time.

The night before the meet I hit the road for the 2.5 hour drive to Pine Bush. Being from New York City my entire life there is one element of upstate New York that I found particularly uncomfortable: there are no street lights anywhere. I just want to go on record and say that, coming from NYC, there is something very unnerving about looking in your rearview mirror and seeing nothing but blackness. But that’s neither here nor there.

The morning of the competition I was super nervous. Until about my second or third lift attempt I literally felt like I was going to throw up. Not fun. I weighed in pretty light at 137.4lbs in the 148lb class. No surprises there, it’s about what I expected to weigh in at.

Here are my attempts in order for each lift:

Squat

120kg/264.5lbs

130kg/286.5lbs

137.5kg/303lbs – NY State Record for Men’s Raw 148lb class

Bench Press

82.5kg/181.7 lbs

90kg/198.2kg – NY State Record for Men’s Raw 148lb class

97.5kg/214.7lbs – Only missed attempt of the meet

Deadlift

160kg/352.5

170kg/374.7lbs

182.5/402.2lbs

I’m very proud to say that not only did I accomplish two of my 2010 goals (300lb squat and 400lb deadlift) but I also set two NY State records for my class. I’m still psyched about this. I actually went heavier on my third bench press attempt that originally planned. Had I stuck to my original game plan (209lbs) I am very confident I would have made all three attempts. No use in “should have’s” now, though. Go big or go home right?

Now that this meet is done, I am itching to do another one. Not only was it a blast just to go lift, but I have to say that the people at the meet were awesome. It was amazing to hear people I had never met before in my life cheering me on and yelling in the background while I lifted. I’ve heard people talk about how the powerlifting community is awesome, but now that I’ve experienced it first hand I know what they were talking about.

I want to personally thank all of the people from the meet who helped me out knowing it was my first meet. Almost all of the people who helped me out were competing as well, and did not have to take the time to point me in the right direction. I also want to congratulate all of the lifters on some great lifting, many of whom also set state records. I’m looking forward to competing with you all again in the future.

Expect a post with my tips on preparing and what to expect for your for powerlifting meet.