Monday, June 17, 2013

Buffalo German Festival Strongman

This was a fun contest with some tough competition. Thanks to Landrich Power Systems and the Buffalo Heavies for putting on an awesome contest. It ran smooth and pretty quick as strongman competitions go; lasting about 4 ½ hours. The events were slightly different than anticipated, so here we go in order of the events:

1.     Keg carry and load: We had to carry 5 kegs weighing 165 lbs. each (one at a time) 50 feet and set them upright on a 48” tall platform. I thought by shouldering each one I could get better strides and end with a better time, but I still ended up in 4th place in this event. There were some fast dudes in this contest! Not me of course ; ) I moved as fast as my body could move which wasn’t fast enough. I finished in 1 minute 1 second.
2.     Log Press: clean once and press overhead as many repetitions as possible a 275 lbs. steel log. This should’ve been my best event! I’m a good presser and would typically get 275 for 6-8 reps in a gym standing on cement. But this was done on soft grass after my quads were fried from the keg race. I ended up with 3 reps and tied for 3rd place in this event.
3.     Farmers walk: carry two 255 lbs. tubes (one in each hand) for distance around a 50 feet course. The implements were terribly awkward and you had to take little steps or they would smash up your legs. The handles were very smooth too which made it even tougher on your grip. I was pretty surprised to get 1st place on this as it’s not one of my strong events. I think I carried it like 106 feet.
4.     Seated arm over arm sled pull with a 1 ½” rope: I am not sure the weight of this sled but it was very heavy and stopped every time you readjusted your hands. My forearms are still twitching from this sick event as I can barely type. I managed 2nd place in this.
5.     Crucifix: hold a 30 lbs. keg in each hand out at your sides for time. You could not use the handles so you had to pinch grip it. OOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!!!!! I somehow got 2nd place in this too.
6.     Husafell carry: We had to pick up and carry a 250 lbs. metal wedge for 50 feet as fast as possible. I’ve said before that any front carries are my worst events and this was no exception. I can’t believe I dropped it with like 2 feet to go!! It was kind of slippery and hard to grip. My worst event and I believe I got 5th.
So after it was all said and done, I earned 2nd place overall! I was extremely happy to have been able to finish ahead of some big, tough dudes. The winner was a huge man from our brothers to the north, Canada. I think he took 1st in almost every event. I’ve been praising God over and over again that I got such a high placing with no major injuries. I strained my right calf muscle a bit but nothing a little ice and rest won’t fix. I was also the oldest competitor and the only one over 40!! I thank God again for my health and my strength. Psalm 18:32 –“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect”.

 

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