My Blog

My Blog

British Powerlifting Champion 2012 - Fifth year running!
Since the last visit to Glasgow I've changed my training slightly. I now train at home alot more after setting up a power rack in my garage. Things have been far more settled and happy in my life generally meaning I'm ready to attack my training sessions and I recover better after more relaxation and solid rest.
Things went well in the run up to the competition even despite catching a cold which hung around for longer than a week but which I managed to train through; not to be encouraged but I worry that I'm losing precious time!
My bodyweight has been consistent and I've not specifically been trying to stay lighter than I was last year so weigh in on the day was 54.1kg; enough to retain strength but low enough for a good power:weight ratio which is what I pride myself on.
I've had great support from my other half/training partner who's pushed me in training sessions to lift far more than I ever have before. I usually deadlift solidly in the gym and rely on adrenaline and sense of occasion on the day in a competition. But with his help I've been doing triples at 140kg and pulling a 160kg in the gym too (Thank you Simon). We've trained in some good gyms too which also helps! Another session early on in the year at good friend Matt Griffiths gym 'Central Fitness' in Birmingham was a help, plus OSG in Manchester helped get me fired up with some solid strength foundation work. 

On the day of the competition with his support (I've always been used to sorting myself out on the day, but even having someone there to get boiling water for the post weigh-in porridge carb-load is more helpful than you'd imagine!) I started strong with my squat. A new world record of 107.5kg was a massive confidence boost and proves the overload I've been doing in training has certainly helped. My Bench was consistent; an equal PB and then to the Deadlift. My opener of 155kg was the heaviest I'd opened at and I was extremely pleased with the speed off the floor...it definitely felt much lighter. My second lift of 165kg felt pretty good too, and by the third at 170kg I wasn't giving up without a fight. Check out the videos from the You Tube link to see just how much I wanted to finish it!

The group of ladies lifting was great with the usual sense of collective achivement and support for each other. Nice to see some new lifters too who put in excellent performances. Overall the competition was good. The venue is spot on, albeit a fair way for most to travel, and with it having been Easter weekend it may well have deterred some from attending.
 
I was very happy with my new WR total of 345kg and the fact that I also won best overall female lifter despite being the lightest female there. It all assures me that I'm not done yet; I still seek to prove to myself that age, bodyweight and gender are not a limiting factor to being strong. I now plan to work on my weaknesses for a couple of months before building up again to the Worlds in October in the USA; the excitement of another big competition combined with a road-trip should make for a year which so far has been sucessful and quite possibly the best yet!

World Powerlifting Champion 2011
The run up to to the championships this year had been a fairly fraught one and is a reminder to me that I shouldn't let much else get in the way of what I love most (other than my family) i.e. my lifting.  Pre-comp  prep the day before went surprisingly well helped by being well organised, having support and landing a really nice hotel (at a cheap price!) which meant for good rest the night before. On the day of the comp I weighed in really light (the lightest this year and for quite some time) at 53.2kg. The venue was pretty good with great warm up facilities and it was nice to see other female competitors whom I'm now used to seeing on the circuit.
The day went reasonably well, though could have flowed better which caused a bit of unrest among the competitors; it's difficult to not be nervous as it is, but when there's confusion or disharmony on the day its easily felt among the lifters and makes for a far more tense atmosphere. That aside I lifted pretty well; not as well as I'd hoped...but then I always have very high expectations of myself. I'd gone there wanting to beat my own records. And where better to try for them than at a world comp? So on my third lifts I tried for what I hoped were perfectly achievable lifts, and didn't make them. Very frustrating. But it was a decent competition with the other ladies in my weight category and so with the title under my belt for another year I can't be too unhappy. Plus compared the my lifting the rest of this year the totals were pretty consistent which is good when the power:weight ratio is taken into account.
Always want more! That's my problem - but then if I'm the only one to influence the outcome then I only have myself to blame or be pleased with when I see the results. So the plan for next year is to maintain solid lifting. Go more for the full power events, not so much single events (oh alright, maybe just the Deadlift then!!) and keep training hard. So it's divisional qualifiers in January, then onto the Singles in February for a decent Deadlift. Big note to self...I still want a 170kg Deadlift at this bodyweight...and I will get one at some point soon!!!

November 2011
It's been a while since an update and I've spent some time enjoying different training with my training buddy Andy at the gym at Impington Sports Centre, Cambridge. Late summer we did more bodyweight work, dips, pull-ups supersets and have started playing with Cleans and full C&J. It's a departure from just lifting heavy all the time but I've spent the last few weeks building back up to 1RM ready for the World Powerlifting Championships which are in less than 2 weeks away up in Glasgow.
I've also been fortunate in many other ways this year by training with some other lifters and in some great venues. Central Fitness in Birmingham opened; an awesome array of Powerlifting racks and weights as well as Strongman equipment makes it a strength athletes' playground. Much appreciation and respect to very good friend Matt Griffiths who co-owns what I now think of as 'Planet Awesome', for a training session we shared a couple of months ago. Anyone in the neighbourhood of the Midlands needs to find Central Fitness and go there for a play. Anyone who considers themselves a gym bunny will love how well its kitted out.
Much pre-competition training gratitude also goes out to the owners of another gym; March and District Weightlifting Club which is in my birth-town of March, Cambridgeshire. Darren George and Simon Rutterford have been great in supporting my training by giving me use of their private gym. It's effectively a small gym with everything in it that someone wanting a good workout could need. Thanks guys; I'm humbled by your support and generosity in sharing your baby with me.
Training becomes such a delicate balance when you're training for 1RM that meeting up with someone on the off-chance when you were going to train solo makes a reasonable quick session into a really satisfying one (Thanks to Strongman-in-the-making Simon at IVC gym for that!!). I also owe others for their tips on Bench and general support; I never lose focus for my love of lifting, but sometimes life offers distractions, both good and sad, and a decent support network always helps keep things on track.
I always concur with the notion that whatever life throws at you, and however people come and go, the iron is always a constant you can rely on; it won't disappoint or set you unrealistic expectations - that's down to yourself and how you perceive things. Lifting is lifting; simple as that!
I'll update again pre-comp when I've had the last couple of sessions this week and am on my rest week...during which time I'll likely be climbing the walls wanting to lift..which is a good thing!!!
Early indications are however, that the Deadlift feels good and I really want to lift out of my skin up in Scotland. Hopefully Squat and Bench will feel similar - which is solely down to me; which is what I love about Powerlifting!

July 2011
The World Championships went pretty well. I'd hoped for bigger lifts in the Bench and Deadlift, but surprisingly started the 3 day event with a WR Squat and best overall female lifter. Amid the impressive backdrop of a theatre, where we actually lifted on the stage, I felt excited that I'd had such a postive start. Bench on day 2 was a little tentative and feeling that I had little to lose by the 3rd lift I tried for a PB, but my shoulders said otherwise and I dropped back to a decent lift, but one I've done many times in the gym. It made me feel that I probably should have been a little more prudent and gone for something somewhere inbetween. 
Day 3 (three days of weighing-in light is definitely tough; so much tempting food in America!), but I felt confident in the warm up and knew what I wanted to do. First lift in easy, second feeling it, and by the third I did the same as I'd done in the Bench - I should have been content with trying just a half kilo over my own WR to set a new one. But I tried for more and although I lifted it, 2 Refs deemed it a no lift. I'm well aware my form is already nigh on totally reliant on my back (it's just how I lift!) but fairs fair, and if it's a no-lift that's it. My total was still 148 points which I was really pleased about given I was one of the lightest lifters, and which also earned me best overall female Deadlifter.
I love the USA, had a great time on my road trip (managed not to be at least a dangerous driver in my huge car) met some great people there, enjoyed a competition with an increasingly high standard of female lifters across the weight categories. PLers are generally such nice people - so supportive, even those we're competing against.
I'm now enjoying a month of training a bit differently (super-sets of high reps; which really hurt!) until I ramp up again toward Novembers World Full Power in Glasgow. 
And finally a quick nod to he who expounded the benefits of the foam roller; yes it hurts, but yes it helps...immensely, Thanks!

June 2011
Yay I'm back in the USA; probably my most favourite country in the world! I'm here to compete this weekend in the World Single Event Championships, in Muskegon in the state of Michigan. I flew into Chicago 3 days ago and after a spot of shopping (rude not to on the Magnificent Mile), I then trained at the world famous Quads Gym. It was an honour to train in such a renowned place and to find that it was so well kept, and respected by those who train there. Plus the guys I met in there were helpful for a spot (cheers Scotty!) and such nice people. Owner Dave is a lovely guy and justifiably takes a pride in the place, and talks about the great Ed Coan with affection. I'll definitely go back as it's actually cool training there; it's not just about the name, it's about the environment and atmosphere Dave DeYoung has created there.
So all set for a trip from Grand Rapids (where I've driven to this evening) to Muskegon to register and make ready for Friday; Squat day, followed by Bench on Saturday and my favourite, Deadlift on the Sunday. 3 nights of weight watching, light eating and weigh-ins is tough going but I'll be trying to make it count on the platform in what promises to be an amazing location in the Frauenthal Center (a restored performing arts theatre by all accounts).
Big Thanks again to York Fitness, my sponsor, for getting me here and financing this weekend. I hope to do them, England, my supportive family and friends and most of all myself proud this weekend!

March 2011
After February's British single event championships I had felt inspired to  train hard ready for the British Powerlifting Championships, knowing that it promised to be a well supported and well organised event down in Bournemouth. I'd started regularly training with 2 hardcore PLers who have a wealth of experience and whose performances speak for themselves. Their help with my squat particularly was practically immediate and I felt inspired that I really could get the squat, at some point in the near future, up to the levels of my Deadlift. Plus the excellent banter combined with helping to really get me fired up during training sessions was refreshingly motivating. Having different people to train with adds a new angle to every session and I simply can't relate to people who complain that gym training is boring...I think they're just not getting it somehow! So with more motivation than ever (if that's even possible) for competition I was really looking forward to the event.
However - and there had to be one; I picked up the insidious virus again - I don't know of one person who hasn't had at least one of its symptoms in the last couple of months. So on the week preceding the Championships I was trying to sleep it off, feeling awful and panicking that on my rest and recovery week, I'd be losing strength and not fit to lift. However (this one's a better one!) I gave myself a stern talking to and put into perspective that my lifting, and essentially competing at it, is what I live for and I absolutely HAD to be up for it.
And that's what happened. On the day of the comp, I weighed in pretty light and after eating and drinking felt more like myself during a comp, i.e. nervously excited. During the competition I ran my own race, as is often the case when there's few of the lighter weight classes lifting, and focused on my total and the chance to get a new record.
Thanks to some helpful support on the day from one of my newly self-appointed coaches and some honest advice on numbers, I got in the zone, felt the fire in my belly, the rush of adrenaline and enjoyed a really good and close tussle with excellent lifter Louise Watton. Our total points were ridiculously close and having just pipped her to the overall female lifter title makes it all the more reason to be chuffed. Plus a new world record total Powerlift of 342.5kg sets the bar that bit higher for those who lift in their own national competitions to qualify for the worlds in November.
I'm not sure what other comps I'll be doing leading up to that since I had been feeling pretty positive about a potential sponsorship deal, however the trail on that seems to have gone cold and I'm disappointed to not have even heard anything. I guess that's what's known as taking the rough with the smooth and whilst I understand the financial climate isn't great for money-spending, it doesn't deter me from representing myself with every muscle fibre I can muster when it matters most; on the lifting platform in a competition. Sponsorship or not, I do what I do for the love and the feeling it gives me and every other serious lifter will understand what that means to them too. As ever, its such a buzz and makes me want to get back in the gym to train to improve more. A nice 350 total appeals now, as well as that 170 DL I've been promising myself this year!

February 2011
Just a brief update to say that I've been expanding this website for a while now in the background. I've added more info about me personally as well as Powerlifting as I get alot of people contact me from the website, YouTube and Twitter and it's nice to be able to add that info for the benefit of those who are interested. 

This month (next weekend in fact) is the British Singles competition and I'll be doing all three lifts this year to see where I'm at strength-wise. I've been really strong in training particularly in Bench and Squat so am keen to see where it takes me in a competition when there's some adrenaline kicking in too!
This month also could just perhaps be something really quite exciting in terms of real, corporate sponsorship. The day when I go to meet them gets nearer and it'd mean so much to get that kind of help and recognition. 

Also this month I've been voted in as the Eastern Counties Divisional Rep within the BDFPA. So anyone in that area of the UK who's toying with the idea of training to compete in Powerlifting - please get in touch and I'll give you more information about how you can start.

January 2011
I've been doing this long enough now to know the drill pretty well; you celebrate the sucesses of the year before, learn from its shortcomings and set yourself some new objectives for the coming year.
This year I've set my sights on continuing to improve on my Squat and Bench. They've taken long enough to catch up with my Deadlift, but in training they're stronger than ever and I'm planning on being consistent in competition this year to increase my overall Powerlift total. I'm keen to head towards a 350kg total in the future!
I'm also after a 170kg Deadlift this year. I managed a 168kg only a couple of months ago and know its within my grasp. But as any lifter will tell you; the extra 0.5 of a kilo feels of alot when you're right up there straining your every last fibre to get a max lift. But one thing is for sure. When I want something, and I want it badly enough, and I only have myself to rely on to achieve it - I usually get it.
Also this year I'm very hopeful that I may attract a sponsor. I'm due to go and meet a sports equipment manufacturer and supplier (one of the top 3 largest globally, no less) in February. I'm ridiculously excited at the prospect of a huge company, with several subsidiaries and existing partnerships with top names, being interested in me and what I represent. More information to come on this, if I'm fortunate enough to be sucessful.

Next month also sees the start of the season, proper. I've already qualified for the British Championships by lifting at an Eastern Counties divisonal competition which happened in November. The first championhips is the individual Squat, Bench and Deadlift. In previous years I've only competed in the Deadlift at these 'Single Lift' Championships. However this year I'm doing all 3 again. Firstly since I hope to do the Worlds in the USA (my favourite country!) in June, and also because both my Squat and Bench have improved over the last 12 months and it'll be a good test to do them outside of a 3 lift competition. Just to explain:- Powerlifting competitions dictate that the 3 lifts are done on the same day...Single Event competitions treat each lift as a competition in its own right and can therefore span 1, 2 or 3 days. Great for recovery time, not so great for eating, sleeping and weighing in several times over more than one day...but that's half of the fun and the challenge of competitive sports...right?!!!

15/11/2010 - I'm Powerlifing World Champion!
This weekend was a really big deal for me. I'd trained hard, been borderline injured, got a bug the week before and fretted about not being able to give my all despite wanting so badly to win, and win well. With a line up of 13 female (and I must point out to those who don't know the sport too well; an impressively feminine line up of women, who really are women) I wanted more than anything to 'run my own race', set the bar even higher with records for my weight category, and hopefully win overall. Having the best power-to-weight ratio means a lot to me. I pride myself on being fairly small (size 8, 8st 4lbs and 5ft 2.5ins...again not what the uninitiated would expect of women who lift), and yet lifting heavy for my bodyweight. I weighed in super-light at 53.2kg; probably lighter than I needed to be but it didn't appear to sap any strength as the results proved. 

With all that in mind, I did a respectable Squat (it's finally improving) and a personal best in the Bench. Lots of work on technique have meant that they're both finally catching up with my Deadlift, which remains my best event. 

So the Deadlift gave me a 168kg which I'm thrilled about. It's a new World Record and the total combined of all 3 lifts was also a World Record of 340.5kg. Breaking the 340kg means so much as does managing a more than triple bodyweight Deadlift again - unequipped (no compression suits etc.).   

I'm proud of my drug-free status and was happy to be drug tested again to continue to prove that there's nothing but me, (and plenty of bloody-mindedness) that helps me do , what I do. 

A brilliantly organised event, with a fantastic outcome for me personally making it all, very much worthwhile. 

06/11/2010 - The countdown begins to the Worlds 2010
Today was my last session before next week's Worlds in Ireland. I've gone through the usual panic of questioning whether I'm flirting with injury or over-training and been ill more times in the last year than probably ever before in my life. I'm sensible enough to listen to my body when its had enough, but there's a certain thrill to pushing yourself to feel that which what was hard to achieve even 6months ago, becomes a 'lighter session' now. But constantly doing that means you're on a knife-edge and prone to picking up the colds and bugs, and more scarily the potential twinges of complaining muscles. 

Today was a good sanity and confidence checker, I was in the gym actually lifting for less than 30 minutes. But that was a defining point at which I knew I'm physically ready for what lies ahead. I have some great people in my life who bolster me when I'm getting the jitters, but ultimately Powerlifting is a an ego-centric sport; you have to learn to be self-reliant and know that it's just you against the iron. I'm now mentally preparing myself for the build up to the day. Eating correctly, getting enough sleep, knowing I'll weigh in ok on the day, and most critically holding my nerve on the all important openers. I have some goals and numbers in mind and they're what I'm focused on. I'm not going there to just do my best - I'm going there to prove that I can be the best. 

06/09/2010 - Thanks for making me a fighter....
Since March I've enjoyed taking the pressure off and training slightly less heavy to avoid injury, mountain biking more for some cardio and enjoying some great training sessions with other lifters. Sessions with others whom I respect for their own strength and dedication has definitely helped me to focus on the areas I need to improve. My squat has finally shifted from being stuck at 95kg for way too long after a session with my very own Yoda (you know who you are!) as well as a great Bench session with a Big Fella whom I owe much, least of which for introducing me to the wonders of wrist straps; no more wrist pain! 
With all that in mind I'd been hesitant about the GBPF British coming along sooner than planned originally, but even after some initial 'no I'm not ready yet' worries I always manage to ultimately trust my own judgement as to my readiness and the thrill of competition was calling me too loudly to pass up.
So I was pleased not only by the chance to lift against some different female lifters, but to test that the training was on track for November's World Championships where I'll be all out to reclaim the title I lost last year.   
I'm pleased that I'm now more consistent with my Squat; it'll never be my most natural of events but it challenges me enough to be kind of growing to like it, my Bench is also improving in competition when I don't overthink it too much and my Deadlift gives me the biggest rush known to humankind; and even if a judge gives me a red light, I still know I've lifted it and I still enjoy that feeling...which is pretty much what it's all about in my book!
Bring on November...

28/03/2010 - Back on the up...

March has seen me feeling like I'm back to feeling about lifting how I used to when I first discovered the sport. The British Deadlift Championships were well supported and in a great venue which made for a positive day. I attempted to beat my 165kg record that day but somehow I wasn't feeling as focused as I'd wanted and the bar stuck on the way up and I knew I had to let that attempt go. I settled for a 160kg which is still something I'd never have thought a year ago that I could lift-to-order.
This weekend in Bournemouth at the British Powerlifting Championships I'd arrived feeling like I knew I'd be able to mix things up a bit for the next few competition-free months and so would see what happened.
As it did happen I started really strong with a 100kg squat...only the 2nd time I've lifted this, followed by the 4th lift we're allowed to take for record attempts and managed a 102.5kg British Record. What a great start! The Bench saw me playing a little safe with a 70kg to make sure I kept something back for my beloved Deadlift;where I was looking for something a bit special!
My 3rd lift saw me grind out a 167.5kg which I knew was never going to stop until I finished the lift and saw the white lights to prove it was a good one! So another World Record, plus I've reclaimed the Powerlift total with 337.5kg which sets me up now for some world class opposition later in the year.
I think I can safely say that 1) the training is working, 2) the mental strength definitely pays off and 3) I am back!!!

07/02/2010 - Starting strong...with more yet to come

This year has started well and although I'm not quite over the hideousness of last year (and the ridiculously bad way it's been handled) I've resolved to not let it knock my  confidence in lifting any further. Last week saw my first BDFPA lift of the year and I only did 2 lifts per event as I only wanted to put in a decent total to qualify for the British. Today I made my foray into the GBPF which was another great group of lifters; all very supportive of each other and definitely enjoying a laugh in between of the tough stuff. I tried harder this weekend and although not especially pleased with my bench...I lost focus, shamefully....I was pleased to have mustered a 160kg Deadlift after still being tired, stiff and sore from last weekend. So it's full steam ahead again with the training to make up for last year's fiasco and see what I can do this year!

22/09/2009 - Testing times

I can honestly say these have been some of the most unsettling times I've ever experienced whilst involved in competitive sports. I'd come away from the World Deadlift Championships resolute that I'd not let any negativity have an effect on my lifting in competition. I'd trained hard and felt as ready as I could be in the lead up to the World Powerlift in Milton Keynes. Fellow lifters who know me always provide excellent support and I felt I had as much to prove to those who doubt me, as I did to myself. However, lifting such heavy weights is as much about mental preparedness as it is physical. And by the time I'd arrived at the weigh-in on competition day, I felt defeated before I'd started. The competition proved to be an extremely controversial one for many reasons other than my own, and although it was a well supported and organised event given the task in hand, many lifters came away feeling disaffected. And not because of their own performance. 

I know I allowed myself to be psyched out by recent events and didn't perform to my best ability. In the end, the best lifter (Bulgarian, Marinova) did lift very well and took my World title. On a good day I'd have enjoyed the tussle, but given my state of mind, I felt she deserved to win on more than the lifting front. 

My finishing total of 307.5kg was way less than my best of 320kg due to being failed at a 155kg Deadlift; it felt and looked like a good lift, but the Ref's decision is final and I had to respect that. I tried a huge 'go for broke' final lift of 172.5kg and even amazed myself that I got it as far as my knees- something which I can take away as a positive.....I got over 27 stone off the ground! 

I'm disappointed for various reasons about this year, I hope for a less controversial year in 2010 where I'll be allowed to lift without feeling like I'm constantly being judged for my integrity as opposed to my lifting as should be the case. 

So I'm still World Deadlift Champion - of which I'm proud since its the event I love so much, and it's pretty much the glory event at the end of every competition.Plus I still hold the World Record of 165kg - which I hope to smash next year!

20/09/2009 - The inspiration I needed

I didn't train to my full potential leading up to the World Deadlifts but on the day the recent problems 100% fuelled me to lift my heart out regardless.

It seems when you do well at something, amid the congratulations you also get the criticisers. It's a shame that people have to waste their energies on negativity when they could channel it far better. Anyway as previously alluded to; that which doesn't kill me certainly makes me stronger.

I've been drug tested many times since I took up Powerlifting, and rightly so - it's a sport where banned substances are likely to be used. However its been proved that I'm 100% me - yes I may have the benefit of genetics and an endocrine system which fuels me with natural (that's NATURAL)testosterone and allows all 8 stone 4lbs of me to lift over 3 times my bodyweight. BUT I have categorically NEVER, EVER taken banned substances, including anabolic steroids. 

So to all the doubters - please do keep testing me to prove that I'm 100% natural and have been very fortunate to have found a sport I'm genuinely pretty good at. As for the haters; sorry that I incite such feelings - I'm just being me.....naturally!

06/08/2009 - Summer Training...
So it's not been a great time with my training since I sustained an injury about 6 weeks ago; plantar fasciitis....serves me right for enjoying running too much. It's never been known to go too well with Powerlifting and I guess that was the proof I needed!

I've been working the weights back up to how I was lifting prior to the injury (not being able to bear any weight on it has been the most frustrating thing!). I've also had an issue where my integrity has been questioned which not only offends me but is quite simply....ludicrous. More on that in the future.Suffice to say I'm 'cleaner than bleach' to quote one of my dearest friends and continue to prove that you CAN be strong, be in decent shape AND be totally legit. As for my detractors; it just fuels me to work harder and get stronger.So I guess in the spirit of seeing the positive in things..it's tested my resolve, and it's strengthened my character even more. 

So to work...to build my Deadlift up for the Worlds in a month's time and then absolutely hammer it ready for the World Powerlifting Championships in November in Milton Keynes. Come On!

21/04/2009 - April's been a tough, but sucessful month!

I knew it was going to be a tough one managing 2 British Championships so close together. The first being just the Dealift Championships went incredibly well with me reaching my personal goal of lifting 3 times my own bodyweight...165kg. Such a good feeling (as you can doubtless see on the YouTube footage!). It was a new World Record and hopefully has set the bar a little higher for anyone else lifting in their respective countries this year before I compete against them in September at the World event. 

Then came this weekend; being only a fortnight later it has undoubtedly been hard to properly recover but then train up again for the British Powerlifting Championships and as always I'd set my sights pretty high. I wanted a bigger total and to replicate that Deadlift. But after a decent Squat and a great Bench; a new PB of 70kg which I can't be unhappy about, I managed a 155kg Deadlift. Still not bad at the end of a tiring competition. Even with that it meant however that my combined total was a new World Record with 320kg which again, I have to be pleased about!

When I take stock of what I've achived and how I've improved in the last year, particularly in my Bench and Deadlift I know there's plenty still to come and it's an exciting time for me to be involved in the sport since we had a brilliant turn-out in full power competition with 17 female lifters! I'm still so fired up about competing, no matter what weights and sizes the other competitors are, we all know how tough it is, and there's always someone else to want to aim to beat in each event. So I'll continue to train hard throughout the summer, throw in some different training to build the leg strength to help my squat improve and maybe do some smaller competitions to satisfy that need to compete!

20/03/2009 - It all starts again....defending titles, increasing totals etc etc etc!

I never really stopped training after the Worlds, although I took it easier in the gym for about a week and relaxed my diet slightly over the Christmas holiday period. I know there's a school of thought that you should step away after a big event to get yourself re-focused and ready for the next challenge - but I'm the type to feel that once I'm on a roll I need to keep going. So I arranged to do my qualifying lifts up in Bradford in January. To ensure you're invited to the British Championships it's compulsory to achieve a certain weight lifted to qualify, and I wanted this done and dusted early in the year so that I could get the training schedule right to peak come April and the British Championships. There's 2 in the same month; firstly it's the 'Singles' which are separate events and I competed in all 3 last year (Squat, Bench, Deadlift). Followed by the British Powerlifting Championships (all 3 events on the same day - much tougher and I much prefer it that way!) just 2 weeks later. This makes April a pretty tricky month to get the training right, stay strong, injury free and be able to peak twice in failry quick sucession. I'm hoping to increase my lifts this year as well as defend my titles and so far training has gone well. I'm fairly stable on my Squat, have increased my strength on Bench so hope to make so big gains. As for Deadlift...well I know how I feel about the Deadlift....! Watch this space for my results in the next few weeks...

26/11/2008 - The World Powerlifting Championships USA - The Aftermath!

I'm still in the USA for my last few days before I return home and I've travelled about 2000 miles and visited 6 states (Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio). I've trained in some local gyms before the competition; Gold's Gym - Bloomington, Cross Fit - Memphis (great gym, great gear and top people there!) and Elizabethtown Sport & Swim Centre.
I had felt fit and healthy on the days prior to the event and when the day came I guess I'd underestimated how much the prior month's excellent totals (and PB's all round!), plus change in food to some extent, staying somewhere different every night, time zone changes and all that driving had affected me. I put alot of pressure on myself to pull the same weight as I did in Belgium and without such close competition I found it hard to perform at that same level. I was incredibly unhappy with my Squat and Bench - but looking back I should be happy that I managed those, given that this is still only my first year of competition and I've improved at each event thus far. By the end of competition day when it was Deadlift time I did feel fired-up (Deadlift always does it for me!) and ready to see what I had. During warm up I realised just how completely fatigued I felt and that my legs and back were already stiff and that maybe the 165kg I wanted might be unachievable. I really didn't want to risk failing an attempt so I opened on 145kg, then 155kg and settled for 160kg last lift. It was a grinder but proved I can still pull a strong lift even when I'm shattered which I needed for my confidence. I made up alot on the Deadlift and had lifted much more than many of the heavier women in the competition, plus I suspect I came top 3 overall across all weight categories. So with that, winning and being World Champion in the 55.5kg weight category, beating my own Deadlift (full power) world record, plus a new world record total weight of 312.5kg; I can't be disappointed! 
My goal for 2009? I'll do only Deadlift in Single Lift competitions (because I love the Deadlift and want to compete in it as often as possible), and I'll work, work, work my Squat and Bench to get those full Powerlift totals up. 
Plus I WILL get that 3x BodyWeight Deadlift to prove I can do it!!!

16/11/2008 - One Week Until The World Powerlifting Championships!!!

I've been in the USA now for 3 days and spent the first 2 in Chicago where I got used to the time difference, did some shopping and took in the sights. The main exercise I took was lifting my cases and walking around countless streets and shops!
Since then I've picked up my hire car and have left Chicago and travelled 160 miles to Bloomington (Illinois) where today I trained at a Gold's Gym. I did a Bench session and also plenty of core work and felt technically pretty good, strong though didn't push it as now isn't the time to be going for a PB. Diet has been good since I got here as I've managed to steer clear of all the wonderful temptations US cuisine has to offer and on my road-trip I'm booking into Hotel suites with their own kitchen so that I can make my porridge and evening meals and generally stay eating clean. Whilst on the road I've plenty of water and protein snacks including Jerky (Chicken Jerky is particularly tasty!) to keep me going. It's going to be difficult to know what my weight is doing since a weigh-in at a gym at the end of a day isn't going to be the same as a first thing on an empty stomach one. But I'm confident that if I continue to eat clean,often and the right things for the next week then it'll be fine.
It seems strange to think that the Competition is next week, since there's so much to see and do between now and then starting with tomorrow St Louis, then Memphis, Nashville, Elizabethtown, Louisville and then to Evansville the day before the competition to get rested and ready. I'm stretching every day in the hotel rooms to make sure I don't get stiff and making sure I get enough sleep too. I plan to do a Squat and Deadlift session this week, not heavy but tapering down towards next weekend. After that....I think it'll be pancakes, bacon and maple syrup for breakfast every day afterwards as a treat for showing such restraint!

07/11/2008 - The Countdown to The World Powerlifting Championships... 

The World Powerlifting Championships in Indianna, USA are just over 2 weeks away and I'm doing my last few gym sessions on home turf. Next week I fly to Chicago, not specifically to meet President-elect Obama, but to start my 2 week road-trip where I'll be visiting, staying overnight and training in 5 different US states. The Championships are the middle weekend I'm there which will give me time to adjust completely to climate, time difference and food whilst keeping the training going right up to a couple of days before. I've no idea who'll be my competition in my 53-55.5kg weight class; competitior lists are never circulated until they're displayed after everyone has weighed-in on the morning of the competition. But as far as I'm concerned I'll be running my own race and aiming to achieve the same competition PB's in Squat and Bench as I did in Belgium and I'm seriously hungry to beat my Deadlift record again. 
It's been quite difficult keeping at the peak so soon after Belgium and training for a competition, then the actual event(s) themselves take alot out mentally as well as physically so I've tried to keep momentum going despite having picked up (as usually expected post-comp!) a cold and being a bit physically run-down. But I remain positive about my lifting and the fact that I'm still on an upward curve of improving my lifts. I love the USA and am excited about just going back there - potentially winning the World Powerlifting title would be the icing on the cake!

14/10/2008

It's been a whirlwind of a weekend in Antwerp and I'm completely thrilled with my performance. My main opponent and I had the closest competition I could have wished for which made for a brilliant set of events. Travelling to the event by Eurostar made for a relaxed lead up and I'd planned my food and training to peak specifically over those 3 days. Bodyweight came in exactly as planned too so I knew I was light yet strong.

Day One - My Squat total of 100kg was a competition best for me and I since my opponent and I both lifted the same, but she was heavier, I won on bodyweight. I couldn't have been happier with that since I've only recently made some gains on Squat technique. 

Day Two - Bench Press felt comfortable but with another neck and neck match of strength between my main opponent and I meant I think the pressure led me to lose some focus on my last lift, failing at 70Kg and hence falling back to my previous lift of 67.5Kg as my total, bringing me in at 2nd place. I couldn't be unhappy with that since it's again a competition best and I knew what I'd done wrong. I now intend to work on my weak spot and lock out in my training sessions pre-November's competition.

Day Three - Deadlift is always my favourite event and the one in which I feel most confident so I knew how much I wanted to not only win but up my current World Record. Again we both opened on the same weight (145kg), then both lifted 150kg, then finished on 155Kg; again my bodyweight being about a kilo lighter meant I'd won the World Title. Now it was a case of us both being offered a 4th lift to beat my existing World Record. Given the previous massive exertions and the fact that at this point I did not want to risk losing my record I went for 160.5Kg and was thrilled with the lift. And I know I have more in the tank for that much-wanted 3x bodyweight which I plan to do next month in the USA full Powerlifting Championships! 

07/10/2008

The Championships are THIS WEEK and I've just had my last training session in the gym. I did all 3 lifts to get the movements ingrained in my muscles and just as importantly, my mind. My Squat technique has been sharpened up quite a bit recently with help from Dave, the owner of my gym (and an ex-Powerlifter himself) and although I know it's not my favourite and best event, I'm much improved. 
Benching today also felt pretty comfortable and after this weekend I'm going to experiment with a slightly wider grip as so far I've been pretty narrow trying to protect a previous shoulder injury. So far my tri's have been doing alot of the work and now since strength has improved there too I'm looking to get the chest to do more than it's fair share. But the week of the competition is not a time to change technique so that's one to work on before the World Powerlifting Championships next month.
Deadlifting never feels the same in the gym as it does on the platform as I can never recreate the adrenaline I get from it. So I kept lighter today and technically it was pretty tidy and I stopped lifting at the point where my hands were just starting to crack. Again the last thing I need pre-comp is a problem with grip because my hands haven't healed properly.
So it's all good and I'm confident. I know I have the ability to do well, I am going there with the intention of winning each event and if not having a good tussle with my opponents in the process. Come on The Fox!!! 

01/10/2008

It's less than 2 weeks until the first of the World Championships I'll be attending and training has so far been on track. 
I've lifted great 1RM's in the gym and have been feeling pretty confident about competing. I'm nervous but also excited about the fact that this is my first year of competing in Powerlifting and I've done well enough to get to what's touted as being the biggest WDFPF (World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation) Singles Championship yet. 
The Singles means that the 3 events associated with Powerlifting (Squat, Bench, Deadlift) are run as separate competitions each on a different day. I'll be competing in all 3 hence 3 lots of weigh-ins, 3 nights of sleeping and dreaming of nothing else (!) and 3 days of being mindful of what I eat to keep the weight down but the energy up. Which is all quite a test let alone the actual lifting.
Making weight has never been an issue before but I'm lifting heavier in the gym than before, have upped my protein intake massively and so I'm nearing the top end of my weight category (53-55.5kg). But I'm confident that making weight won't be a problem on the day(s!) as I'm eating lean, clean and drinking water like it's going out of fashion.
I have, however become pretty paranoid about being around anyone with a cold as its the last thing I need right now and any minor sniffle or tickle in the back of my throat sends me into a panic. But I'm told by experienced lifters that this is totally normal and that having feelings of becoming a recluse are also justified. In the meantime I'm putting my faith in good supplements, diet and covering my nose and mouth if anyone sneezes in my general direction.