100% Raw Worlds

Squat: opened w/ 551 - got it, but stalled half way up for a split second. The bar was thinner than I have been using in training. My squat descent is usually pretty quick and the thinner bar was kind of "whippy" throwing off my control of the bar.

I slowed down my second attempt of 584 and didn't go low enough (3 red lights). I knew when I came up that I missed proper depth. The judges said I missed depth by an inch. 

I was planning on 601 for my 3rd attempt but because I missed 584 and was having trouble timing the bar "whip", I chose to try 584 again. I sunk it deep and fast and stood up with it. I "blacked out" (but didn't fall) and found myself standing in front of one of the side judges looking down at him. I literally have no memory from the time I racked the weight to several seconds after. I must've been wandering around the platform for a few seconds because the side judge was yelling at me "you got it- you got it!!". It was kind of comical because when I finally left the platform I still was asking people if I got it. So I did finally get 584 which is a raw personal record (PR)!

Bench: opened w/ 435 - got it easy.

2nd attempt was 457 - got it but received 1 red light because the head judge said I "jumped the press command".

3rd attempt was 468 - another raw PR!! I should've gone heavier in that I definitely could've gotten 475+ as my form was dialed in with respect to leg drive, elbow tuck, and bar path.

I knew from my training that I could possibly PR in the squat and/or bench. Everything in my training went exactly how I wanted it to w/ respect to my squat/bench. My deadlift was another story as I had several misses over the course of the training cycle.

Deadlift: opened w/ 568 - no problem, got it easy.

2nd attempt was 606 - nailed it!

I really wasn't paying attention to my placing and chose to go for another PR. So I chose 634 for my 3rd attempt which would've been a 5 lbs. PR. I got the plates about 3 inches off the ground and felt something "pop" in my shin! It felt like someone drove a spike starting at the top of my foot straight up to my knee. Needless to say I dropped the bar and limped off the platform. I am still not sure what caused the pain as I limped around for a few days and then the pain went away.

I ended the day w/ 584-468-606 for a raw 1,658 total - not my best total, but I couldn't be happier with 2 PRs. All in all I am very pleased with my training cycle and my performance at the meet. I feel very blessed that I am able to continue lifting and competing after having gone thru cancer treatment and dealing with all of the ailments that radiation and chemotherapy cause. Praise God! To Him be the glory! FOREVER!