Psst, wanna know a secret? I didn’t do this alone! I’ve got discounts and giveaways from my favorite vendors at the end of the post!
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As I talked about in my post about Building Emotional Strength Through Strongman, this journey from morbidly obese couch potato to competitive Strongwoman athlete has been more than physical for me. I’ve gone through many emotional roller coasters as I’ve come to terms with this change in my life, and learning to handle that has been a struggle (to say the least). I am the utmost control freak, and I really have a problem when there are things in my life that either a) I feel like I cannot control, or b) Don’t go my way.
If you recall my last contest went well. I came in first in all of the events and got my invitation to Nationals. What more could a girl want? Well, a repeat at the NOVA Summer Strongman Showdown, of course!
Since that contest only a couple weeks ago, I’d changed my training routine, my food (if you want more info on why Carb Cycling didn’t work for me and I talked about it on The Paleo View Ep 105), traveled across country, entered the busiest time of the year in my full-time job, and am working on finishing up three books (info coming soon!). My point is that (not surprisingly) Saturday didn’t go my way. I couldn’t get my head straight and hadn’t been able to sleep the night before. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. I tried to stay positive and calm, but even my best events didn’t go as well as I know they could have (for example, several events went better in training, whereas contests are usually days to break personal records). And not dissimilar to the experience I had in March when things didn’t go my way, I got more and more frustrated with myself, causing more trouble, as the day went on.
Spoiler: I didn’t win, but I’m trying to learn that’s OK!
I did tie for first place and the tie breaker (number of first place wins) went to an amazing athlete who sincerely deserved the title. It was a good lesson for me! What I’m learning is that there are still so many lessons for me to learn! Ultimately I did place first in all 3 of my competitions this year, all within my first year of Strongman training. Considering my overall health story, this is certainly something I never saw myself capable of. Months ago I said my goal was just to end up on the podium of an open competition – and I did just that (multiple times)! It’s also good to have some non-competition goals, like hitting certain personal weight lifting goals, making friends, and having fun. Again, all of which I did – multiple times!
What I am learning is that I need to trust myself and my training on competition day. I get too caught up in rankings, points, and who’s in the lead. Then, if it’s not me, I mentally freak out. If I focus on what I need to do, and hit it hard the way I do in training – that’s when I succeed. I fail when I compare myself to others; but when I just do the best that I can do, not only do I feel a sense of accomplishment that I did my best – but I usually end up on top that way! Hmm, sounds like an extension of life motto here.
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Ready for the recap? I mean, it wasn’t all bad, I DID win 2 of the 5 events to tie for first overall! I came in 2nd on 2 of the events and placed 3rd on the keg carry (epic fail on my part, I was capable of much better). Here’s a video compilation of the whole day!
Although I recap below, this is the video of the day’s events. Except keg, because Matt didn’t realize I was up yet to take video so it’s a shortened version that skips the beginning.
Event 1: Strength Shop Log Press Medley – 130lb log clean and press on 8″, 10″, and 12″ logs.
As I’ve said before, logs are much more difficult than a regular barbell and pressing is my worst event. So, I was thrilled to start off the day taking 1st place in this event. In training I nailed all 3 multiple times, so I am personally disappointed in my performance (I could have definitely gotten my head through and under the log better on those attempts); I was still happy and proud to win this one.
Event 2: Deadlift Medley – Barbell 3x at 214lbs, Axel 2x at 245lbs, and 1 Farmer’s Pick at 300lbs
I ended up coming in 2nd place for this event, about 1 second outside first place. Replaying it back I see I could have been quicker at the top of the lifts and faster with transition. I think for me personally I didn’t train lighter weight to be able to work speed enough, so it’s something I need to ensure I practice more in training.
Event 3: Keg Carry for 120ft with a turn at 60′ (also known as the epic fail life lesson)
This event will be one of those things that haunts me until I nail it in a future contest. I got going way too quickly, got off balance, tripped over my own feet, dropped the keg and then the video starts at the repick. As you can see, I’m comfortable and quick with the keg – it wasn’t too heavy for me and it’s an event I normally do well it. That darn drop was just all about my mental state not being right after the deadlift event because I was disappointed I didn’t win it. Ultimately, if I hadn’t dropped the keg I would have at least come in 2nd place in this event which then would have had me win the whole contest rather than tied. Like I said, a good lesson for me to learn!
Event 4: Yoke Carry for 60′ at 400lbs
I love yoke; this event helped anchor my mind and get me back on track. A combination of legs and upper back, two of my strongest features, I would happily yoke all day every day. I won first place and got my mojo back!
Event 5: Stone Carry 15′ then load over 44″ bar at 155, 175, and 205lb stones
Recently stones have become my favorite Strongman event. They’re classic to the sport and require full body engagement and strength. This month I was able to lift the 225lb stone multiple times and it was a huge personal accomplishment. In training I ran through this event and my best speed was 38 seconds. So, although I came in 2nd in this event at 30 seconds, it was a personal best I was pleased with – a nice note to end the day.
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The Awesome Brands that Sponsor this Sport
In addition to participating in this event I happily worked with my coach (also the event organizer Mike Lusby) to set-up amazing prize packs for the athletes. In fact, I heard from a number of athletes and people in the community that they’ve never seen anything like this event at an amateur level – I’m honored and proud to have contributed to that. This sport is growing (as it should) and generous sponsors like these are helping it do so.
The good news for you? 1) I hand-picked my favorite products and companies for this event, and 2) many of them are giving you discounts and items to giveaway (all those in boxes)!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://paleoparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ssusa.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Strength Shop – Top quality, wide variety, affordable lifting supplies and equipment donated 8″ log, 10″ log presses for the “Strength Shop Pressing Medley.” Get 5% Off Weightlifting equipment at StrengthShopUSA.com with code: PALEO5. [/author_info] [/author]
Inzer – Generously donated Gift Certificates for the best weightlifting belts in the market!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://paleoparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/petes-paleo.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Pete’s Paleo – Donated their fabulous Paleo BACON! Pete’s Paleo Meal Service now has a line of 21 Day Sugar Detox approved meals, Wahls Paleo Meals AND a Gut Healing KIT! How awesome is that? You can also get 5% off total order with our discount code: thepaleoview .[/author_info] [/author]
Out of the Box Bakery – This paleo-friendly bakery in our area catered our 10 Year Vow Renewal and came on-site to provide amazing grain-free snacks!
Stretch Moves – Provided on site professional stretching for the competitors.
Exo Protein – Donated a HUGE amount of their amazing cricket-flour based protein bars.
Ladies Lift Here – a community of ladies that like to lift heavy things was on-site with awesome shirts, banners, and smiles #ladiesliftthere
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://paleoparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/soxbox.png[/author_image] [author_info]The Sox Box – Fun and functional protective knee-high socks, with a message. Need some workout socks and want to support soldiers? Stacy’s favorite brand from thesoxbox.com gave us the discount code for 5% off your order with code: “stronglikestacy”(plus 20% goes to wounded veterans!). *SEE GIVEAWAY*[/author_info] [/author]
Victory Belt Publishing – Award winning publisher of the best health and fitness books donated 2 copies each of Beyond Training, Becoming a Supple Leopard, Free Style, Practical Paleo *SEE GIVEAWAY*
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://paleoparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/LifeAsRx-sq.png[/author_image] [author_info]LifeasRX – Donated gift certificates for prizes! You know Matt’s awesome shirt that says “My Girl is Stronger Than You”? It’s by LIFE AsRx! Want 10% Off? Use Code: PaleoParentsAsRx at their online store. *SEE GIVEAWAY*[/author_info] [/author]
AMRAP – Donated Sports Apparel and my new favorite paleo-friendly egg-white protein bars for the competitors *SEE GIVEAWAY*
US Wellness Meats Gift Certificates door prizes to their website full of healthy grass-fed and pastured protein.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://paleoparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/maca-team.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]The Maca Team – Donated their premium blend of organic maca: real foods based supplement for performance improvement. Want to start adding Premium Maca for added strength to your protein shake like Stacy? You can use code: STRONG for 15% Off at The Maca Team Store.[/author_info] [/author]
Mark Sisson and Primal Blueprint Publishing – Copies of Primal Connection and samples of Primal Fuel in assorted flavors for the competitors to re-fuel with!
Reebok – They provided me with new Nano 4s and their new High-top Lifters to try out for both of my contests this month. I’ve used and loved Nanos since I started Crossfit and Strongman, but I am in love with the high top lifters. I highly recommend them (they’re like Converse only with comfortable padding and a wider toe box). I’m super thrilled Reebok is offering a pair of Reebok shoes of their choice to one lucky winner! *SEE GIVEAWAY*
Want to Win an Awesome StrongMan Giveaway that will help get you started?
You have ELEVEN opportunities to enter below the image with the Rafflecopter App. No, you don’t HAVE to do all eleven, but each thing you do gets your name entered once. Some of the options you can even do once a day until the contest ends, giving you even more entries. This giveaway is for US Residents only, UNLESS you are willing to pay out of country shipping charges!
