IPC UK Invitational Cardiff 23rd January
02 Feb 2010 13:38
Headed off to Cardiff nervous but determined to put in three good technical lifts.
For me, this competition was not about winning, but hey that is always a bonus, but for me this was about showing that my technical ability had improved. No core stability means that the bar is prone to wobbling, not good with the judge's beady eye watching you.
Over the months I have worked on training exercises that include resistance, the aim being to try and control weight tied to bands. Over the months I have learnt to control the bar rather than allowing it to control me.
Cardiff as per usual was well-organized apart from a few hiccups like the weighing machine breaking down just as I was about to weigh in which held us up about 20 minutes and giving the athletes more time to sweat or get prepared?
The women's competition always starts first and I was about fifth in line onto the bench giving me ample time to get warmed up and visualize my technique between lifts.
There is a lot to think about, getting onto the bench and ready in the allocated two minutes. Praying the spotters hand you the bar correctly. On this occasion, the guys spotting were superb and were constantly encouraging me all the way. And then there's the lift itself, getting in the right zone, blocking out any distractions and taking that bar down to your chest controlled, a steady pause to the chest before blasting off evenly up to the top. And then getting off quickly or you could get your lift disqualified. I have a carer to get me on and off the bench so unless she has a mare, we are pretty sussed on that one.
I finished the day with two smooth PBs, a little disappointed I did not get the third PB even though I lifted it (technique!). Job done!