Saturday, April 26th, 2014 - The CPF Provincials.   I prepared for months.  I lifted regularly and worked on accessory muscles to help with the lifts.   It was going to be a whole new age group for me, so setting new records was my goal.   In my age and weight category, I was the maverick.  No other woman had done it under CPF.   I already have the Canadian and World Records in a younger category, but now I'm much stronger.  This was very exciting.  I'm 'ME' strong.   No drugs, no assisted lifts, no knee wraps, no lifting suits, just plain ol' me. 

I pre-registered months in advance and booked my hotel, booked time off work and then it happened....I got sick.  Two weeks before the competition, the most important time of preparation and I was a total wreck.  I couldn't lift and I was totally devastated.  I told myself it would be short-lived.  I rested.  5 days in, it was my first time ever in the hospital because of some weird infection.  I am usually the one who never, ever gets sick.  I figured that I'd still be able to get my lifts in on the weekend, even though I was taking it day by day.   Sunday came and I got my deadlifts in.  They were absolutely pathetic.  I felt like a beginner.  I was so weak.  It was a horrible feeling.   Tuesday came and I had no choice but to do my squat and bench - just to my opening lifts.   I felt strong, but I still wasn't 100%.   By Thursday, I was at the Doctors office.  He gave me a prescription which I didn't fill.   I was lifting in the raw division (drug tested) and didn't know how any prescription would affect the drug testing at the end of the competition day.   I won't even eat  anything with poppy seeds in it, just in case!  On top of that, any prescription might make me feel weaker.   I just didn't want to chance it.   I could only hope for the best on Competition day and then I'd start taking the meds after.  

After a 6 hour drive, we made it to Cornwall.   It was the night before the big day.  I felt pretty good.   We sat in the hot tub for awhile, cooled off in the pool and then had what should have been a good nights sleep, but wasn't as good as it could have been.   Got up at the crack of dawn and headed in for weigh-ins.   Made weight!   That was a great start to the day.   When it came time for warm-ups,  I knew I was in trouble.   My legs were vibrating.  It could have been nerves but this was something that I hadn't experienced before.  This wasn't my first competition.   I got through my first two warm up sets.   Then I put on a little more weight.  I lost my footing.  All I could think of was "WHAT THE F..."   This NEVER happens!!!   I finished my warm ups and waited for my turn at my first squat, my opener.   I played it safe.  It was a nice light weight, easy.   I did it.   I was starting to feel better but I didn't feel strong.   My next lift, typically an easy one for me, was a 'no lift'   My depth was good, but one side finished before the other.   Ok.   So, on my third lift, I decided not to repeat the same lift.  Instead, I went heavier.   It was closer to my max but I felt confident that if I had the depth, it would be a good lift.   Nope.   I just didn't have the strength.  I didn't even have the depth.   It was another 'no lift'.   I felt robbed!   I had done these lifts regularly!!  How could I not get them today!?!   I can blame it on the whole 'being sick' thing but I hate making excuses.  It was a sad start to my day.

Bench was next.   I did my warm up and felt strong.  This was in the bag!  I had this!  First lift, easy.  Second lift, 'no lift'   What the heck was going on?!?!!   I did this lift every week!   Why....where did my strength go?   Third lift, I kept it the same weight, but again....'no lift'.    It was better and the bar was going up rather slowly, but it was still moving.   They took it from me, in my opinion a little early, but I'm not making excuses.  I didn't get the lift, period.   There was a lot of talk amongst the women, that they waited too long to give the press command but on my third lift, I made sure to stay good and tight while waiting for the command so that I wouldn't lose it.   Oh well.  At least I got my first lift, as light as it was.

Deadlift.   The dreaded deadlift.   Normally I love doing deadlifts but in the weeks leading up to the competition it proved to be my weakest lift.   In the past, that wasn't the case.   I had put so much effort into building up my squat and bench, that I just neglected that lift I guess, but not intentionally.   So, my first attempt is a good, easy lift.   Second lift, I got that too.  Third lift, I decided to go for broke.   I should have been able to pull the weight but I just didn't have it in me.

All I can say is that as much as I was disappointed in all of my lifts, I can now go back to the gym, knowing what I have to work on and can only hope that I will never experience the same thing again.   This was not a day of personal bests for me.  I can only take it for what it is and learn from it.  The only way to find out where you're weakest is by failing.  

But, its not all for naught, I did set new Canadian Records.  I'm not proud of them.  They're low numbers for me and I have time to beat them.   But for all other women out there, its not too late, get out there, lift and beat me!   These records are a mere guideline for you to work towards, knowing that its completely doable, but only if you get out there and just do it.  Its never too late to start, and if you think it is, you're just making excuses.

So every Sunday, I prepare for the week ahead.  Its a busy day for us, but it saves us so much time during the week.   We prepare food for lunches along with a few other things and I don't mean just for the kids only.   I have a day job, kids and an evening job.  I don't have the luxury of staying home and cooking and cleaning for my family like I used to.  I did that when the kids were little.  Now, things are busier and time is tight.  By taking care of these things on Sunday, we end up eating better all week long and I save a ton of time and money too.   

I have a couple of great recipes for you.  Here is a one for morning rocket fuel...a great paleo snack that's quick, easy and delicious!   Its my favorite coffee accompaniment.

You will need:  1 c chopped pecans, 1/2 c chopped walnuts, 1/2 c chopped almonds, 10 dates, cinnamon, and 2 egg whites. 

You know, I see way too often people coming into the club with goals and the need to change for the better.  The one thing that really bothers me is how hard people are on themselves, especially women.   They see someone who has been in class for 3 years and they think that they should be able to do the same thing.  And because they can't, they give up!   Its a real shame. 

Making a change, starting a new routine, takes time.   You have to allow yourself to advance slowly.   You should never expect to walk into a new class on your first day and be able to out-do everyone.  Seriously.   The only thing that matters is that you did your best.   Everyday, you do better then you did the day before.   Accept that you are the only person you should be trying to out-do.  

That really is the number one way to make a steady progress in your training.  Take your time, do it right and keep at it.  Don't look at the person next to you who has been doing it for way longer then you, and think that you should be at the same point.   That person worked a lot longer but started off just like you.

It's easy right.  You pick something and you do it. 

But, is it really that easy?    

I learned the hard way.   There is some planning involved.  

Let's say you want to register for a competition.  What's the first thing you do after writing that cheque?   Let's look at time line.  How much time are you allowing yourself to train properly for that competition?  How often can you train for it?  What else is on your list between now and then?  What will you do to allow for those things that 'pop up" and prevent you from a training session?  

These are things that really need to be considered first.  Give yourself enough time to prepare. Don't go into the competition blind.  Know what to expect.  A few simple things will make your experience much more enjoyable.