Qualifying for the 2015 American Open

Share

I qualified for the 2015 American Open yesterday! This has been my goal, not just for this year, but since I started competing in weightlifting. I still cannot believe that I did it. I feel like I’m still in shock. Honestly, it could not have went any better. However, I should turn back the clock[…]

Flow State: Turn Your Mind Off

Share

Thoughtlessness. Complete darkness. Just go; just do it. That’s what top athletes try to do in their top performances. Many call it “flow state.” I love TED talks, so here is one on the flow state. I think he can explain it a little better 😉 In this state you are just there; being, breathing,[…]

The Differences in States of Human Functioning

Share

What are the differences in states of human functioning? Intrigued by the title? Yeah, it is pretty catchy. I was thinking of writing on this topic for awhile now. A few weeks ago I stood behind our counter at work, staring at some people training; just wondering what the hell they were trying to accomplish with[…]

Road to the 2015 American Open: Game Day, Take 1

Share

I competed at the 2015 Rocky Mountain State Games Weightlifting meet on Saturday in hopes of qualifying for the American Open only to fall a little short. However, I will say that I am not that disappointed because, as I mentioned in my previous post, my last few weeks of training had been riddled with[…]

Road to the 2015 American Open: Competition Week

Share

This road to the 2015 American Open has not been an easy one. I’m sure you could tell from the lack of posts in the last few months. I cannot believe I’ve been so far behind on my training log! My apologies…it’s been a crazy last 10 weeks or so since my last training log[…]

Power, Power, and Power

Share

Power is, well, a powerful word. Can I say that? Anyway, one of my coworkers brought up a good point about the fact that “power” is used throughout the semantics of weightlifting. I have never really thought about this before; I guess because I understand these semantics from being a part of the sport. Just[…]

What are You Really Training?

Share

When we train we adapt specifically to that training demand; sound familiar? Yes, that’s right! The S.A.I.D. principle; Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands. Now, most of the time I think of parameters like load (intensity) and repetitions (volume), or the combination of both (volume load), which is ultimately what the body “feels.” Volume load is[…]

Elbows Up! Is this Necessary?

Share

For many years I’ve seen coaches constantly screaming cues for their athletes to keep their elbows up in lifts like the front squat, press, and jerk. I’m here to tell you to stop it before you make the same mistake. What if that athlete has certain restrictions that don’t allow him/her to get into the[…]

Road to the 2015 American Open: Week 6, Day 4 and Week 7, Day 1 and 2

Share

Training is going great! My knees are a little tight, but that’s the only issue right now. I wasn’t able to get my fifth day of training in last week due to a road trip down to New Mexico for a presentation that I was fortunate enough to give. I may only get four days[…]

Road to the 2015 American Open: Week 5 and Week 6, Day 1, 2, and 3

Share

Wow! I didn’t realize it would be so hard to post once I started up training in the evenings with the Front Range club. This is going to be a bigger post, so don’t go away too soon. My first week-and-a-half has been awesome! It was definitely a good decision because I’ve been hitting all[…]