Ok guys I have been meaning to post this for awhile. I actually started once but because I had not signed in it didn't save it when I tried to post.
Anyway, I competed in my first strongman comp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba over Labor Day weekend. I will go over the events in order and what I think I could have/should have done to improve my performance.
None of the events were what I would call "heavy" so speed and conditioning were what it took to win. The first event was a Keg Carry and Sled Pull. The Keg was a full beer keg (165lbs) carried for 100ft then a 185lbs sled pulled back 100ft. I had absolutely no problem picking up and carrying the full keg. I smoked the guy I was up against. However, I did not warm up properly at all. In fact I didn't even warmup! BIG mistake. I thought that since the weights were light I wouldn't need to. I was wrong. On the sled drag my lower thighs were BURNING! I mean they turned to jelly! I could have pulled the sled with my arms MUCH faster than I did walking backwards and pulling it that way. Another problem I had was it was on grass and had I known I would have worn my cleats. I kept slipping and falling down. Pitiful.
Second event was the deadlift for reps. It was originally posted to be at 350# but it was lowered at the last minute to 315#. I made 10 reps and might have been able to squeeze out 2 more but I had STILL not recovered from the sled drag. I placed 3d in this event. The kid that won this event did 17 reps.
Third event was the tire flip. Now this is something I train regularly on but I don't train it with speed. Big mistake. I had zero trouble with the tire but speed was a major factor. I wasn't even winded when time was called ( number of flips done in 1 minute). I tied for 3d in this event.
Next was the loading medley. Different items loaded from 18 inches to 3feet platforms. As the weight went up, the height did too. First item were two loaded ammo boxes strapped together, next was a huge concrete blob, then the beer keg and finally two 120# dumbbells chained together. I spent too much time making sure the objects didn't roll off the platforms and was too slow moving from object to object. Again, the weights were child's play. I was too slow.
The show ended up with the HUMVEE pull for time. The course was 100ft. I went first.l I pulled it 100ft in 25 seconds. Pretty slow. A major problem was the sand present on the course. I had on hiking shoes ( alot like running shoes) and slipped quite a bit. I told the promoter he shoudk have the course swept as it was a safety issue and hehad it done before anyone else pulled. I was offered the chance to go again and I took it. I went last and did it this time in 22 secs.
The guy that won was a big dude (330lbs and about 6'4"!) who does NOT lift weights at all and only does Army PT. This is not an endorsement of bodyweight exercises and long distance running but rather the importance of cardio to the strength athlete. I was remiss in laying off of doing more demanding cardio/interval training and I paid for it.
One thing I got a kick out of was the big muscle guy (read "flamingo") who couldn't do anything after the deadlift. NO lower back/hip strength. But I am sure he looks "hot and buff" at the club! hahaha
Hope you guys enjoyed this. It was a great experience and I look forward to WINNING the whole thing next time. All and all I felt I did fairly well for a 41yo guy but I can and WILL do much better next time.
Anyway, I competed in my first strongman comp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba over Labor Day weekend. I will go over the events in order and what I think I could have/should have done to improve my performance.
None of the events were what I would call "heavy" so speed and conditioning were what it took to win. The first event was a Keg Carry and Sled Pull. The Keg was a full beer keg (165lbs) carried for 100ft then a 185lbs sled pulled back 100ft. I had absolutely no problem picking up and carrying the full keg. I smoked the guy I was up against. However, I did not warm up properly at all. In fact I didn't even warmup! BIG mistake. I thought that since the weights were light I wouldn't need to. I was wrong. On the sled drag my lower thighs were BURNING! I mean they turned to jelly! I could have pulled the sled with my arms MUCH faster than I did walking backwards and pulling it that way. Another problem I had was it was on grass and had I known I would have worn my cleats. I kept slipping and falling down. Pitiful.
Second event was the deadlift for reps. It was originally posted to be at 350# but it was lowered at the last minute to 315#. I made 10 reps and might have been able to squeeze out 2 more but I had STILL not recovered from the sled drag. I placed 3d in this event. The kid that won this event did 17 reps.
Third event was the tire flip. Now this is something I train regularly on but I don't train it with speed. Big mistake. I had zero trouble with the tire but speed was a major factor. I wasn't even winded when time was called ( number of flips done in 1 minute). I tied for 3d in this event.
Next was the loading medley. Different items loaded from 18 inches to 3feet platforms. As the weight went up, the height did too. First item were two loaded ammo boxes strapped together, next was a huge concrete blob, then the beer keg and finally two 120# dumbbells chained together. I spent too much time making sure the objects didn't roll off the platforms and was too slow moving from object to object. Again, the weights were child's play. I was too slow.
The show ended up with the HUMVEE pull for time. The course was 100ft. I went first.l I pulled it 100ft in 25 seconds. Pretty slow. A major problem was the sand present on the course. I had on hiking shoes ( alot like running shoes) and slipped quite a bit. I told the promoter he shoudk have the course swept as it was a safety issue and hehad it done before anyone else pulled. I was offered the chance to go again and I took it. I went last and did it this time in 22 secs.
The guy that won was a big dude (330lbs and about 6'4"!) who does NOT lift weights at all and only does Army PT. This is not an endorsement of bodyweight exercises and long distance running but rather the importance of cardio to the strength athlete. I was remiss in laying off of doing more demanding cardio/interval training and I paid for it.
One thing I got a kick out of was the big muscle guy (read "flamingo") who couldn't do anything after the deadlift. NO lower back/hip strength. But I am sure he looks "hot and buff" at the club! hahaha
Hope you guys enjoyed this. It was a great experience and I look forward to WINNING the whole thing next time. All and all I felt I did fairly well for a 41yo guy but I can and WILL do much better next time.
