“Being in the moment.” Some of you all may recognize this way of being. It’s the best way to describe my APF Seniors experience. Phil and I talked and decided to have a good time from the get go instead of dreading the squat like we usually do. My day started about 4:00 a.m. when I woke up, dreading getting out of bed because I knew what lay ahead. I started talking myself into a robot mode where I wouldn’t have to think and could be numb to the whole thing. Something made me stop and say, “What the hell are you doing?” I decided right then and there that I was going to experience a full day of life and whatever came my way. I chose to be free.
Squat - 710, 744 PR, 771 PR
The opener was the easiest and fastest I’ve ever done in a meet and sign of things to come. 744 was a 4 lb PR and even though I babied it going down, it came up without any problem. 771 Pat gave me some good feedback about messing around on the 2nd and Gary told me to trust depth and just do it. When I came up into the “thumb of God” as Russ so eloquently named it, I was already past the sticking point and knew I had it. I could see the blur of the head judge pumping thumbs up to keep going and was smiling all the way to lockout. Wendler said my form was right on. I told him they all felt 4” high and he said when it feels that way, it means you’re squatting efficiently.
Bench – 507, 518x, 518 PR
Opener was easy with a little balance problem I felt near lockout. When I pushed on the 2nd off the chest, it felt like I wasn’t wearing a shirt. Could not lockout. Jaime helped me shift mentally here to do what I needed. I had my shirt adjusted like I know how. Put up a smooth, easy PR. Dave Tate told me it looked much better than videos of my other meet benches and the only thing I need to change is to flare a hint earlier.
Dead – 611x, 611, 644x
Before I pulled, Dave says, “You’ve waited a long time for this…DON’T FUCK IT UP!!!” Moved my opener from 606 to 611 for 1900 even. I was dropping the opener and let it rest on my legs so it wouldn’t fall. When I did this I slouched. Did my best acting job and was turned down by the Academy. Had to wrap my wrists to get a better grip for my opening weight? Flexed everything so hard on the retake that my quads are sore today. When I put it down and saw the whites, I said, “Finally Fucking A!” Marris (sp?) almost DQ’d me. 644 – Weight was light as a feather but the bar was sliding out of my right hand near lockout so I put it down.
ELITE TOT - 1901
6 years and roughly 1150 workouts later, I made it. Was it everything I hoped it would be? YES! IT WAS BETTER!
Found out later somebody sabotaged the bar on the dead. Based on the way the 644 felt, I’m sure I could have pulled 300K.
Thank you Jamey Mauldin for being my main corner guy at a POWERLIFTING meet. I wanted a source of positive energy and you sure came thru for me. Gary and Pat, you guys were awesome and made it easy all day. Thanks for being there.
Phil and Ray, you guys are bad mofos and I wanted to be a bad mofo too. You dudes obviously sped the process by coming to BA. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication. I never have to question your commitment.
Kevin and Mike, original posse members, I know you guys were behind me and have been there since day 1.
I want to extend a special thanks to my wife, Cheri Lynn. You brought me back from the dead by infusing my life with your spirit. You were the one person who made me believe I was good enough and deserved it. We’ve shifted our entire lives around this sport for this moment. For all your sacrifices and hard work towards my goal, THANK YOU!!!
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