Competition bound!

[Catrin]

I crossed a milestone today We did multiple lifts at 4 minutes per hand (Jerk 4 minutes per hand, rest 4 minutes, Snatch 4 minutes per hand, rest 4 minutes, then do it all again). A true competition set is 5 minutes per hand, so my conditioning is coming right along! My coach dropped my weight quite a lot since this is the first time I've gone this long, but that will change. Of course you have to pick a pace and keep it to keep from wearing yourself out. He knows his business and will NOT allow us to injure ourselves as much as that is in our control for, of course, any competitive activity does have a higher risk. We've decided that I WILL go to the December 13 competition in New Jersey if things continue as they are!

[emily_in_nc]

That's awesome, Catrin -- congrats!

[Catrin]

That's awesome, Catrin -- congrats!

I think I've finally learned from my prior over-use injuries. I really and truly enjoy kettlebell sport (GS - Givorey Sport). My primary focus is to do it as well as I possibly can while maintaining my health. This is far more important to me than attempting to set some national or world-class record for my class. Competition is just one way of setting a goal, and it provides me that taste of adventure that I've learned I require.

At 54 a serious injury could very well end things for me. Sure things can still happen, but it won't be out of ego. It really helps working with a 68 year old coach who has been there, done that I didn't realize just how well he is known, and his true reputation in the world of GS until I started talking to others I've met who have been around much longer than I. I knew he was good, but I didn't know just HOW good until I started getting feedback from everyone who learns that he is my coach. He hasn't had any competitors for a few years due to health problems, so I and two others who are planning on the December competition will work hard to do him proud!

[Irulan]

..speaking of competition, this gal is amazing

http://www.nbc.com/american-ninja-wa...-dallas-finals

[Catrin]

The link isn't working, but I've heard very good things about her. The very first woman to qualify!

----------------edited

Here is another link that is working, at least I hope it works for others. This little lady just plain kicks butt and takes names, she is awesome!

[Catrin]

My coach put us through our very first 2 sets of full 10-minute competition rounds yesterday. 10 minutes of jerks, 15 minute rest, 10 minutes of snatches. It may not sound like much but it is...it is! The jerks were fine, my weak arm started tiring halfway through the snatches on that side so I had to cut the second set a little short. Not bad for a stubborn old broad on her first two competition sets! A total of 182 reps between the two lifts! Quite the confidence builder.

This picture was taken afterwards, and that smile is one of relief :-) I was pumped all day yesterday about this, and NO repercussions from the work. Thankfully our coach didn't warn us so we had no idea what he had in store for us. That is preferable than thinking about it all of the previous night! I don't even appear to be sweating in this picture, but the facility we were at is VERY cold! Also got to try out my lifting shoes for the first time, and I decided they had magic powers :-) They are expected at competition so I figured it was time to start training in them. All joking aside, even at MY level I found they made quite a difference, especially as I became fatigued.

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[Crankin]

That sounds extremely challenging! You must really love it!