By Rhiannon Reynolds
I’m pretty pumped to write this blog today: more psyched than I was before Nationals. Sometimes it takes a moment of quiet reflection to appreciate what you have, what you’ve done, and what you are going to do instead of focusing on the door that is already closed. I feel refreshed, with a new outlook on weightlifting and life from the experiences I was so fortunate to have gained from my time in Salt Lake City.
Time seemed so slow to pass before weigh-ins. I was anxiously waiting to lift from the time my feet touched Utah soil. I had taken a peek at the venue the day after we landed, which I believe is where the excitement began to build. I couldn’t believe my eyes! The platform and ballroom were HUGE! The room was not only huge, but filled with hundreds of chairs, all for spectators. There were two elevated platforms separated by an American flag. I walked up onto the platform and was greeted by a huge light shining right where I would be lifting. The light did a great job of disguising how big the audience would be. I found my focal point directly in front of me in the back of the room: one of the many chandeliers lining the beautifully decorated arena.
I’m the type of person that doesn’t fully react until the day of the meet. I am always excited leading up to it, but when the day actually comes, emotions are pouring all over the place. When I got on the scale and officially weighed in on Friday, I felt a huge surge of adrenaline. This was the day I had been training for since the 2013 American Open. This is the day that I was more than physically prepared for, hitting great numbers in training and feeling healthy. When the official asked what my openers were (66/84), I feel like I screamed them at her out of excitement. I weighed in at 56.27kg, and was ready to lift.
Once warm-ups began, the adrenaline turned to used energy. I was just so excited to be lifting backstage with these girls. Remember, I train alone the majority of the time, so when there is a room full of girls with the same or better ability, it almost feels like electricity in the air. Everyone is feeding off of each other’s energy, all while being competitive at the same time. When it came time for the first lifter to perform, time started flying by. My coach did a beautiful job running back and forth from the scorer’s table to make sure I took a warm-up and made sure I was fully aware of when I had to take my first attempt. I started getting nervous the closer my first attempt got, which I was trying desperately to control because I know how my nerves usually affect my performance. And then the moment of truth came when they announced my name at 66kg. I took a few deep breaths, walked up to chalk my hands, and looked out into the audience. I couldn’t believe the amount of people watching, and how bright that damn light was as it shone directly onto the bar. I went through my practiced routine: I looked at the chandelier focal point as I set up and quieted my mind. The room was also silent; the only thing I could hear was the shutter sound of a camera as pictures were being taken. And then I found myself standing up with the weight over my head, fast and strong. I was aggressive with my snatches, hitting 66, 69, and missing 72. That damn 72: I wanted it so bad, but was happy that I made my first two and was able to at least attempt it. I know I will get it next time and am completely capable of snatching that weight and more.
I felt so much better after my snatch session. If you’re a competitive weightlifter, you understand how much of a relief it is to hit your opener on the first try. The stress and nerves calm down quite a bit after you have a few lifts towards a total. My clean and jerks felt strong in the warm-up area. I couldn’t wait to get out there. I was opening at 84kg, which is pretty easy for me at this point. I really wanted to go 84/88/92: I was dying to see a green plate on the end of the red. Unfortunately, because I had these expectations already set in my head, I began getting nervous again. I understand that everyone is a little bit nervy at a National level meet, even the pros. But there was no reason for me to be nervous for a weight that is made easily in training. I made the clean and was called out for an elbow wiggle and got two red lights. I was a little annoyed, because that messed up my entire plan. I decided to go up one kilo and make the lift. Since I was frustrated, I completely got distracted from how well I can perform this lift. I definitely felt it as soon as I started pulling from the floor: my back wasn’t in the right position, my knees didn’t clear the way they are supposed to, and I didn’t actively pull myself under the bar. This resulted in a terrible catch position, and I was unable to catch the bounce. I didn’t give up, however, and just took a little longer than usual to stand up with the weight. I took a few moments to get my air after I stood up, and made the jerk. Yikes, I didn’t like that close call. I again got more frustrated because I knew I could lift better than that. I went on to 88kg with the same result, and this time I missed the jerk.
Immediately after I was finished, I was upset. I wanted to perform so much smoother. I wanted huge weights. I wanted to show what I’m capable of and what I’ve been working so hard on. I wanted a lot of things. But the door had already closed. It’s funny: we train, hours upon hours, for this one moment. It took about 45 min of quiet pondering to come to a resolve. The moment I stopped focusing on that closed door, and shifted my attention to the ones that are still open, I got excited again. Well, and I was also excited that we were headed to a Brazilian steakhouse for a celebratory feast…
I felt 100% better after I took that short period to reflect upon. I couldn’t have any negativity, I was at Nationals! It has been exactly 1 year of competing and I took 15th place in the 58kg weight class out of 50 girls: 50 of the best, qualified weightlifters in this country. That’s not half bad in my opinion. Just having the experience made me more excited for the future. I know I’m the strongest I’ve ever been in my life just from preparing for this competition. I also know that I can get a hell of a lot stronger, and I’m not even close to my strength ceiling. I’m using this experience to get more competitive. Instead of going out to “not miss” the lift, I need to go out aggressively, with no intention other than making it and going for more. Instead of getting frustrated in between lifts, I just need to correct what is wrong and make the next attempt. STAY POSITIVE. Positive thinking can’t be emphasized enough. I need to build a competitor’s mentality. Being a competitor is a completely different mindset. My coach brought up a valid point: my best performance so far was at the Larry Mintz Memorial, when the other lifter messed with my clean and jerk attempts. I didn’t have that same mindset this time, when I needed it the most. And he’s right: if someone pissed me off I would have done things differently. Now I have to find that mindset without the external stimulus. I have to tap in and identify my own competitive nature, and use it at EVERY competition. Now when I compete, I will have the same attitude and aggressiveness to fashion myself into skilled competitor. Now, if this week of rest would just end, I would like to start applying it!
All in all, I had the time of my life. I got to see a few familiar faces, and meet a lot of new people. I was able to watch some amazing lifting sessions that have further inspired me. I found even more love for weightlifting and the bar. Competing in the 2014 Nationals and walking away as if on clouds has further proved that this is my passion. I’m so excited for training, and I am eagerly awaiting the 2014 American Open. Thank you all for being such a great support system and keeping me motivated during the grind. Hard work truly does pay off – and I can’t wait to get back to work.