Post by DJ on Sept 2, 2008 13:25:11 GMT -5
Well, I just got back from competing in the Anytime Fitness Strongman Challenge in Loveland, CO. This was my first meet in 2 years and first one since surgery.
My goals going in were to not get hurt, not finish last and to see where I stood with all the "young guys". I competed in the open lightweight division.
1st event: Hooters girl press
This was a plate loaded type machine that instead of loading with plates, Hooters girls stood on it for weight. It was a seated incline sort of thing with the weight listed at 250. Actual weight in hand was much less, don't know what for sure. I was concerned with this event as it would put alot of stress on my repaired shoulder/bicep.
The way it was setup, it went pretty well for me, I hit 21 reps. Though I was happy with this, it was only good enough for 6th out of 7 competitors. Oh well, here we go.
2nd event: Farmer walk for distance 230# per hand.
We used a 1 1/2 handle farmers with the weights loaded near the legs. The reason I mention this is that you couldn't stride out with them, which is what I like to do. Turns were at 50'. I had been consistently hitting 150' in training with regular grip and setup farmers so that was at least my plan out here. I made it out of the first turn and about 10' from the second turn I could feel them slipping. They had had some tape on them and I just couldn't get my grip right. It was the same for everyone so that is all that matters. I went 105'. Not happy with this at all but it held up for 2nd place as alot of guys were hitting there legs by trying to go to fast and dropping them early on. I was now in a 4 way tie for 1st.
3rd event Tire flip/stone medley 75 sec,
This was a brutal event. You had to flip a tough 600# tire 3 times, then run over and load a 220 stone to a 55gal. drum, then go back and flip the tire 3 more times and run over and load a 240 stone and then flip the tire 3 more times and load a 270 stone. I knew the stones wouldn't be a problem, it was the tire I was concerned with. Also, I knew this would put alot of strain on my repaired arm so was a little worried about that. I struggled warming up with the tire trying to find somewhere to grip it but when the whistle blew, just attacked it. Everything was going pretty well during the run. I had 1 flip left and 1 stone when I heard the timer say 15 sec. left. I knew only 1 guy had finished the medley so if I could finish, that would greatly help my standings. Adrenaline is a funny thing. It can aid you so much, which it usually does for me. I finally got the last flip with 5 sec. left and ran to the stone and got it loaded with 2 sec. left. 1:13 was my time. I was so happy, finishing that event made my day, especially in the high altitude. I got 2nd in that event and was now in a 2 way tie for 1st.
4th event Keg toss over 10' bar
This event I knew would go well for me and pretty much played out that way. We had to bring the kegs to the bar from 15' away or throw them from that far out which really wasn't possible. I brought 4 at a time, as I saw others do that and after throwing them over, went and got the last one and threw it over.
I think my time was 19.?? Good enough for 3rd. I was .8sec. slower than the winner. This event was very close by the top 5 of us.
Tied for 2nd going into the last event, 1 pt. out of 1st.
5th event Hummer limo pull harness style 75' no lead rope
Stayed low and had a pretty good run. 30.6 sec. I had beat the leader to gain my point but the guy I was tied with going into the last event, won it(28.9sec.)
3rd in this event.
In the end, I finished in 2nd place out of 7. I tied with another guy, but won the tiebreaker. I was very happy with this overall as the competition was tough and close all day.
I received a nice medal and $100 for my efforts. Dave, Dave and Pat ran a great show with an awesome venue. The meet was put on in conjunction with Thunder in the Rockies bike rally. The show ran very smooth and quick and these guys should all be proud of putting on a great show. The trophies for 1st place were incredible, just like the WSM statues.
So with that, my first post-surgery meet is complete. I had a blast and it kind of felt like I was doing some of the first Heartland Challenges all over again. Just sat back and waited for my turn and didn't have to worry about anything else. It had been a long time since I competed and was very pleased with everything.
Once again, these guys put on a great show and thanks for everything they did.
My goals going in were to not get hurt, not finish last and to see where I stood with all the "young guys". I competed in the open lightweight division.
1st event: Hooters girl press
This was a plate loaded type machine that instead of loading with plates, Hooters girls stood on it for weight. It was a seated incline sort of thing with the weight listed at 250. Actual weight in hand was much less, don't know what for sure. I was concerned with this event as it would put alot of stress on my repaired shoulder/bicep.
The way it was setup, it went pretty well for me, I hit 21 reps. Though I was happy with this, it was only good enough for 6th out of 7 competitors. Oh well, here we go.
2nd event: Farmer walk for distance 230# per hand.
We used a 1 1/2 handle farmers with the weights loaded near the legs. The reason I mention this is that you couldn't stride out with them, which is what I like to do. Turns were at 50'. I had been consistently hitting 150' in training with regular grip and setup farmers so that was at least my plan out here. I made it out of the first turn and about 10' from the second turn I could feel them slipping. They had had some tape on them and I just couldn't get my grip right. It was the same for everyone so that is all that matters. I went 105'. Not happy with this at all but it held up for 2nd place as alot of guys were hitting there legs by trying to go to fast and dropping them early on. I was now in a 4 way tie for 1st.
3rd event Tire flip/stone medley 75 sec,
This was a brutal event. You had to flip a tough 600# tire 3 times, then run over and load a 220 stone to a 55gal. drum, then go back and flip the tire 3 more times and run over and load a 240 stone and then flip the tire 3 more times and load a 270 stone. I knew the stones wouldn't be a problem, it was the tire I was concerned with. Also, I knew this would put alot of strain on my repaired arm so was a little worried about that. I struggled warming up with the tire trying to find somewhere to grip it but when the whistle blew, just attacked it. Everything was going pretty well during the run. I had 1 flip left and 1 stone when I heard the timer say 15 sec. left. I knew only 1 guy had finished the medley so if I could finish, that would greatly help my standings. Adrenaline is a funny thing. It can aid you so much, which it usually does for me. I finally got the last flip with 5 sec. left and ran to the stone and got it loaded with 2 sec. left. 1:13 was my time. I was so happy, finishing that event made my day, especially in the high altitude. I got 2nd in that event and was now in a 2 way tie for 1st.
4th event Keg toss over 10' bar
This event I knew would go well for me and pretty much played out that way. We had to bring the kegs to the bar from 15' away or throw them from that far out which really wasn't possible. I brought 4 at a time, as I saw others do that and after throwing them over, went and got the last one and threw it over.
I think my time was 19.?? Good enough for 3rd. I was .8sec. slower than the winner. This event was very close by the top 5 of us.
Tied for 2nd going into the last event, 1 pt. out of 1st.
5th event Hummer limo pull harness style 75' no lead rope
Stayed low and had a pretty good run. 30.6 sec. I had beat the leader to gain my point but the guy I was tied with going into the last event, won it(28.9sec.)
3rd in this event.
In the end, I finished in 2nd place out of 7. I tied with another guy, but won the tiebreaker. I was very happy with this overall as the competition was tough and close all day.
I received a nice medal and $100 for my efforts. Dave, Dave and Pat ran a great show with an awesome venue. The meet was put on in conjunction with Thunder in the Rockies bike rally. The show ran very smooth and quick and these guys should all be proud of putting on a great show. The trophies for 1st place were incredible, just like the WSM statues.
So with that, my first post-surgery meet is complete. I had a blast and it kind of felt like I was doing some of the first Heartland Challenges all over again. Just sat back and waited for my turn and didn't have to worry about anything else. It had been a long time since I competed and was very pleased with everything.
Once again, these guys put on a great show and thanks for everything they did.
