Rhi Reynolds
“If I have made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent.” ~ Sir Isaac Newton
Patience is a talent within itself. Whatever talent or exceptional skill you possess, it will never shine unless it’s in the light of patience. Patience above all; hard work, determination, and continuous positive support from my peers is what made this past meet one of the best ones I’ve had.
As you’ve been following along, you are aware I was cutting to the 53kg category. I was doing it slow and steady; as to not lose any strength. As the meet inched closer and closer, I was getting a little nervous about lifting in this weight class. Although I felt great in training, it’s always different when you step into a competition forum. I had never cut weight before; naturally I had a few lingering doubts in the back of my mind. I weighed 53.6kg on Friday when I woke up, which was around where I wanted to be. I drank a lot less water because I “hydrated to dehydrate” throughout the week. I walked on the treadmill Friday morning for 30 min, had a protein shake and a sweet potato post walk, and had 3 meals of protein shakes and a handful of mixed nuts the rest of the day. The plan couldn’t have worked out better: at 11am I weighed in at 52.3kg, and was feeling absolutely fabulous! The minute I stepped off the scale and gave the official my openers, I decided to put up a wall between my worrying and my performance.
Of course, the moment I even walked into Lost Battalion Hall Weightlifting Club I felt that stomach-sickening surge of adrenaline. My teammate, Rebecca, was doing her first weightlifting meet as well. There were a few times where we looked at each other and I knew she had that same feeling. I gave her as much advice as I possibly could, but also informed her that she and I are different people, so her experience will be unlike mine. Having another person there to share your nerves with eases the tension a little. Plus, it’s also more fun. I couldn’t wait to see her lift on the platform for the first time!
Just like I stated in the last blog, I decided to keep my openers to 67 and 83kg (sometimes I’m indecisive). Before we started, my coach went over to check out the cards to add the final touches to the warm-up strategy. I was opening last, and we had 22 girls in the session. I had a really long time to wait. I decided to just hang out and listen to music, and assist Joe in warming Rebecca up. When it came her time to lift, she snatched an all-time PR on her second attempt, and was almost standing up with another PR before it fell behind her. I was so pumped! It’s always great seeing others pour their hearts out on the platform. After she was done, I started doing some bar warm-ups. LBH had a cool set-up around the platform: the crowd was seated all around and a lot closer than what I’m accustomed to. To me, the energy in this place was high. I couldn’t wait to get out there and do my first lift.
Warm-ups went really well and were timed perfectly. What was even more exciting was that I was the last lifter of the session; having to take all three attempts by myself. Wow, what an experience! As I walked out to the bar for my opener, I felt that switch. The switch where you go from normal, everyday life, into clear-minded athlete mode. Before I knew it, I stood up with 67 with confidence. My next attempt was 70kg, which would have been a 1kg PR for me as a 58. I wanted those red plates so bad. My coach gave me a pep talk and I marched out, determined to make this lift as easily as the last one. And I did. I was all smiles as I let the bar fall to the floor. With the same attitude I attempted 73kg – falling just short by losing it behind as I stood up. 73kg is there. Hopefully, I’ll be opening with that in the near future.
Rebecca was up for clean and jerks. She made her opening attempt like a champ, but was called for a press out on the second attempt, and she missed the jerk on the third. I was so proud that she got her first total. I felt like a weightlifting mom watching her baby (even though I’m not her coach). After she was done, it was time for me to warm-up. I was listed last, again, so I had a million years before I started. Warm-ups were going well, except for the fact that I missed the jerk on my last two warm-up attempts before I opened. Now, I’m not trying to sound petty, but people walking very close in front of me while I’m lifting causes me to lose focus. I just can’t help it. I’m sure as I get more experienced it won’t bother me as much. But for now, it still does. On my last three warm-up attempts, I had someone walk, perfectly timed, within a foot in front of me as I started my jerk drive. I made the first one, barely, and missed the next two. I was getting really frustrated because I tend to freak out when I throw warm-up attempts for stupid reasons. Not only was I unnerved, but my coach was also mad. This is normally common knowledge in the weightlifting world. But alas, I walked over to sit down and wait for my attempt.
It was down to myself and another lifter for the clean and jerk. She took her opener at 80kg, and then moved to 83. I was up first, and walked out to the bar slightly annoyed. Unfortunately, I let what happened in the warm-up room get to me: I missed the jerk for no reason whatsoever. I looked down at the bar partially confused as to why it was not over my head. When I sat down to follow myself, my coach gave me another great talk that lit that fire inside. You want to walk in front of me and mess up my attempts? Too bad. I made the 83kg the second time without a problem. Previously, the plan was to go 83/86/90, yet the plan had deviated slightly. We decided that I would take 85kg and secure a nice total in the 53kg weight class. And that I did; I was on cloud nine the moment I got the down signal.
What a day! Not only was I excited that my hard work paid off, but I was so thankful for this whole experience. I met a ton of awesome girls, and got to know a lot of them on a personal level. My coach was just as motivational as ever, and I got to see a teammate compete. It was really great lifting in a place with such high energy. And, we were all pleasantly surprised by the appearance of Donny Shankle! That couldn’t have been a better end to my day. We stayed to watch him snatch before the women’s award ceremony. It’s really inspiring to see someone so calm and collected walk out onto the platform, and easily make all three attempts as if they were the training bar. I want to be that person one day; the one who walks out and everyone’s camera comes out. The one who walks out with such a composed demeanor, yet tremendous ferocity as they attack their lift. I felt ferocious at this meet. But next time, I want to be more ferocious. Now, back to training. 6 weeks until the 2014 American Open. I can hardly wait.