First Full PL Meet

[strongpath]

Yesterday I stepped up to compete in my first full meet after a couple of years of bench-only. No pics/vid as I went alone. But I thought I would share my experience for those of you wondering/thinking about competing.
Short answer is do it! Longer report below.

M2/93 kg class at UF Fitness in Arnprior, ON. For U.S. readers, this is an OPA meet-affiliated with the IPF (you must compete clean and there is random drug-testing). Great gym. Awesome people!

I weighed-in at 85.5 kilos and the day unfolded with me hitting 8 of 9 attempts:

Squat: 335/355/369(red lighted)
Bench: 275/285/292(the bar moved faster than I expected-felt great)
Dead: 385/395/413

I was the only M2 at the meet so competing with myself (lol!).

My goal was to hit qualifying numbers to compete later this year at Provincials and Nationals. I hadn’t competed in over a year and I was just coming off a beach bum surf Cape Cod vacation.

For a first-timer, there’s a lot of logistical details to get sorted and it’s easy to forget something. In my case because I was deadlifting and squatting for the first time I was focussed on ensuring I had my new gear (belt and deadlift socks) but forgot my wrist wraps for bench!

At weigh-in you have to make sure you have already gotten your rack heights for squat and deadlift. At the weigh-in you have to give your openers for all three lifts, then you are given slips to fill out your 2nd and 3rds and you have 1 minute after you complete your lift to submit your next attempt to the technical table.

Unfortunately the red light (spotter on my right intervened while I felt the bar was still moving and I thought I had it) left me 5 lbs short of the qualifying total I need to compete in a full meet at Provincials and Nationals. On the upside I surpassed my bench number from Nationals in 2017 and I know there is more in the tank. I also managed a decent deadlift (for me) despite injuring my glute two weeks earlier. DL is relatively my weakest lift and the lift I learned the latest in life.

I train all three lifts but bench is what I love. So next decision point is to take some time to reflect on whether to go to Provincials and Nationals in bench-only, or find another comp to hit the qualifying total.

PS for older newbie lifters coming back to the gym and asking whether to focus on getting lean or getting stronger, for me it was strength. I wanted the mental boost associated with seeing the weights steadily go up. That motivated me and supported making other lifestyle improvements (diet/sleep). I just like the mental/physical process of preparing myself to face the bar that has more weight on it than I ever imagined I could lift when I got back to the gym. I eat a mainly whole food diet, cook my own meals. Any other “improvements” are a consequence of the primary goal. Powerlifting is the foundation underpinning my other sports: xc-skiing,snowboarding and surfing. I am searching for the “sweet spot” balancing strength with endurance sports. In fact I will probably compete in lighter weight classes and continue to slowly reduce fat recomp over time to get faster and become more nimble. I’m in no hurry though.

Positive aesthetic changes will take care of themselves if you adopt a balanced approach to strength. Living healthy and strong over 50 automatically puts you in a very small demographic, going against the trend of our increasing obesity numbers. People notice, comment and ask questions. These days I catch the skinny surfer kids with no pecs staring at my chest. One of my surf coaches even commented on how I filled out the rash guard. It’s amusing and affirms that I’m on the right path for me.

[tblodg15]

Congratulations, I don't know much about PL but those look like some good numbers! How old are you and how long have you been lifting?

[strongpath]

Thanks. 53 years old. Started lifting at 45 (except deadlift). I finally got some coaching and learned to deadlift at 48.

[Garage Rat]

Nice work!
8 out of 9 is a good day.
First meet at your age means you'll have many more ahead if you want.
Your powerlifting age is young so you have room to get stronger in the up coming years.
I know many guys that started in their 50's and 60's and are still at it.

[ljimd]

Good deal.

[LisaSkinnoble]

Congratulations!!

[tblodg15]

Thanks. 53 years old. Started lifting at 45 (except deadlift). I finally got some coaching and learned to deadlift at 48.

Awesome!

[strongpath]

The plan is to keep at it. I know guys in their 60s and 70s going strong. It’s pretty inspiring.

[strongpath]

Thanks!

[strongpath]

Congratulations!!

Thank you Lisa. I have followed yours and Flex’s competition stories for some time. It’s one of the reasons I posted mine!

[Bando]

Great write up. Glad you switched from bench only to full power, nothing more aggravating for full power lifters than a bunch of bench only guys arriving late, slowing down the meet for everyone and then taking off.

[strongpath]

Great write up. Glad you switched from bench only to full power, nothing more aggravating for full power lifters than a bunch of bench only guys arriving late, slowing down the meet for everyone and then taking off.

Lol! Thanks for that-not the the coffee I choked on laughing though!

[PhantomMaxx]

Congrats on taking on your first full powerlifting meet. I learned to squat and deadlift at 49. It's never too late to be better.