We leave bright and early on Friday morning for Saturdays competition.
Completed my last full workout on Tuesday night. I always ALWAYS look forward to getting the competition out of the way. This training is grueling. I'm finally glad more people are competing because misery loves company or maybe familiarity breeds contempt..something like that.
Others are discovering the mental challenges of this training in terms of preparing for a competition. Now, I know that competition stress is not unique to our sport. But, by the time the competition is here, you are ready to just get it done.
This is the first big AKC-WKC meet. So, I would really like it to do well. I really enjoy the multi-event meet. Looking forward to Sundays non-traditional events like the one arm chair press. I'm also looking forward to seeing some of our Eastern European friends compete. Even though there is a language barrier, everyone I met in Latvia was extremely friendly. We'll likely have to wait and see our Ukranian friends in San Diego this December, but it will be really cool if Denisov from Russia (175 jerks with 2-32kg bells in 10 min!) makes the trip to Miami.
I probably feel mentally and physically better for this competition than I have in my last few outings; I'm certainly not anxious this time around. I've done a very thorough job of moderating the intensity and volume of my workouts. I don't get the feeling that I peaked 3 weeks ago like I had prior to other competitions. I'm also excited and looking forward to doing the one-arm Jerk. I think the addition of this event and the requisite training has enhanced my conditioning even further.
The best thing about the competition is that I get to see many of my Kettlebell friends from across the USA. The competition itself gives me training goals, but the event has given me great opportunities to meet some very very great friends over the course of the last 3 or 4 years. Looking forward to seeing the ones that make the trip to Miami. Looking forwared to knocking back a few beers with the crew on Saturday and Sunday night!
Will post pics and a review of the competition when I return next week.
Meanwhile, here is an inspiring clip of 80kg KB Sport Champion, Ukranian Fedor Fuglev. This is a partial video of his 142 rep performance with 2-32kg bells.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Let me explain the title of my blog
I've had another bout of insomnia and decided to post my blog on a more "easier" to read venue. I've blogged on my site off and on, but decided that this was a little more edit and reader friendly than the blogging on my site www.catherineimes.com
If you found your way to my blog from somewhere other than a fitness or Kettlebell related venue, then you'll have to be patient with me. I will talk about something besides Kettlebells at some point. Maybe I'll review the movie I decide to see later on today.
For now, this inaugural entry will be a simple and lengthy explanation on the Blog title. Here is a hint: I WON'T be receiving an invite to next years "Beat Me in St. Louis" S&M extravaganza. I've got the story on how I started KB lifting on my site. It's titled "We all Started Somewhere"...extremely profound I know. But, the history is there. So, I won't get into it here.
The concept of "getting comfortable with discomfort" is the main reason I've embraced Kettlebell Lifting. It has simply made me tougher physically and emotionally. But, I'll go a step further and say that it has done those things...safely. I'm not one that advocates working into pain. True pain is a sign that you should stop what you are doing and cut the offending limb from your body where applicable.
Discomfort avoidance is something that plagues our society. I should know; I've been a repeat offender. I'm not just talking about avoiding exercise because it's hard; I'm talking about avoiding situations in life because they are uncomfortable. I'm talking about finding the true path to complacency.
So, for me the process of embracing my discomfort in my "physical life" is starting to have a carryover effect outside of the gargage torture chamber. I don't avoid conflict. Note: I don't like conflict for conflicts sake, but I don't run away from it. I'm not naturally combative or even that competitive. But it is just like when I'm lifting the Kettlebells, I don't set them down when it gets hard.
It will be an ongoing process; Like my Southern Baptist preacher used to say, I will backslide. The goal is and will be to keep that backsliding to a minimum.
CI
If you found your way to my blog from somewhere other than a fitness or Kettlebell related venue, then you'll have to be patient with me. I will talk about something besides Kettlebells at some point. Maybe I'll review the movie I decide to see later on today.
For now, this inaugural entry will be a simple and lengthy explanation on the Blog title. Here is a hint: I WON'T be receiving an invite to next years "Beat Me in St. Louis" S&M extravaganza. I've got the story on how I started KB lifting on my site. It's titled "We all Started Somewhere"...extremely profound I know. But, the history is there. So, I won't get into it here.
The concept of "getting comfortable with discomfort" is the main reason I've embraced Kettlebell Lifting. It has simply made me tougher physically and emotionally. But, I'll go a step further and say that it has done those things...safely. I'm not one that advocates working into pain. True pain is a sign that you should stop what you are doing and cut the offending limb from your body where applicable.
Discomfort avoidance is something that plagues our society. I should know; I've been a repeat offender. I'm not just talking about avoiding exercise because it's hard; I'm talking about avoiding situations in life because they are uncomfortable. I'm talking about finding the true path to complacency.
So, for me the process of embracing my discomfort in my "physical life" is starting to have a carryover effect outside of the gargage torture chamber. I don't avoid conflict. Note: I don't like conflict for conflicts sake, but I don't run away from it. I'm not naturally combative or even that competitive. But it is just like when I'm lifting the Kettlebells, I don't set them down when it gets hard.
It will be an ongoing process; Like my Southern Baptist preacher used to say, I will backslide. The goal is and will be to keep that backsliding to a minimum.
CI
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