Scott Tighe 32kg Snatch Set.

2 types of people!

I remember one time this guy told me something and years later, I have to admit... he was quite correct. He told me that there is only bascially 2 different type of people you meet in the gym. The type that is never happy with themselves. They are usually very strong and if you talk to them, they speak about how they are struggling with there weakest link.  When they look in the mirror they are focussed on fixing the weak spot. They are very hard on themselves and very understanding of others. Your opinion of them means very little to them, they know what they are capable of.. they do not need your approval. They live and deal with reality. These people do the "not fun" things even when nobody is looking.

Then we have the other guys. They need outside approval, although they claim the opposite. They look in the mirror and focus on there strongpoints. They want the strong points to be so glaring that you completely forget about the weak spots. If they get strokes, they are elated.. if they get criticized, they are destroyed. 

Every little victory you hear about for years... and no talk of the weaknesses. These people are delusional and grandiose! When confronted about a possible weakness they get violently disturbed. These people are extremely sensitive, easily distracted and needy to the extreme. Avoidance and denial are tactics employed by these people...  They are always talking about the "new" latest and greatest thing. They need you on there side. 

Years later I get what this guy was trying to tell me, there are the workers and the posers. Sooner or later you fall into one the categories, make sure it is the right one!

IKFF/IKSFA Meet 6/25

I went to this meet with 2 of my guys. Scott Tighe, an Jason Sanchez. I lifted the 24kg, my goals were to do 10 Rpm minute on jerk and 15 Rpms on snatch with 24kg. I did the jerks and came up short on snatch by 10 reps per side, I did 65/65. This is not anything great for me. But mediocre numbers that show up will always beat great numbers that never show up anywhere!
Scott Tighe lifted the 32kg, he hit a PR on jerks going 10 minutes and doing 53 reps! On snatches he did 45/50! He took second to Marty! Scott was very impressive and is only going to continue to improve! Great Work! Jason Sanchez is making a comeback after a little lay off, he hit a PR with the 24kg in Long Cycle with 42 reps! His form looks great, now we are going to review our goals and start preparing for WKC Worlds in Chicago...

Making History!!

The Lockout Shirt is showing up in some pretty cool places!! This is the first time American Lifters have Gone to the Chelyabinsk Region in Russia to compete!!  Ivan Denisov is organizing this event!   Pretty Big Deal! They have assigned 2 english speaking tour guides for Steven and Surya for 3 days!!

This is Anton Anasenko, Steven Khauong, Surya Voina-Fowler, Ksenia Dedyukhina, Valentin Ergorov, And Jonny Benidze  

Stick to the Actual!

It is very easy to make yourself totally crazy leading up to,  and especially right before you compete. The numbers are what they are... you can try to do some fancy math in your head about starting fast and slowing down, then pushing it again later in your set for example. Your head will start trying to sell you all kinds of crazy formulas and theories... Stick to your actual numbers!

 The self dialogue can be exhausting and is usually destructive. The fact is, 10 minutes is a lot of time.. if you go into the red too early... you will tank! Gotta be realist about what you are really bringing to the platform. I have found it is a great idea to have your "No Matter what" pace.. this is the pace that you know in your heart that you can sustain for the whole set.. then you have the if I feel good option.. this is the bonus number you would really like to hit.. Then we have the "Pulled it out of my ass number".. This is he Miracle number that we want to, and think we should hit, but it is based on nothing!

It is dangerous to step up and "see what happens" also.. this perhaps is one of the larger mistakes I have made.. This is when you have no plan or targeted pace and just pick em up.. what happens is after about 5 minutes... the WTF am I doing up here thoughts start to swarm like a wild pack of Locusts! If you have no actual plan, you will be watching the other lifters in your flight finish there sets from the Audience!

Get Down to your Local Farmers market

Never mind the supplements, get down to your Local Farmers market and buy some high quality local vegetables. The difference between a local tomato and one from 1500 miles away is a joke! Not only do they taste better, but they are still packed with nutrition!

Tonight I went down to the one around the corner from me and bought some absolutely gorgeous Russian Red Kale and green Garlic.. ( before they dry it out).. WOW! That stuff is strong! I chopped the Kale up and steamed it in a big frying pan.. waited until the stalks got soft.. then I added the coconut oil, sea salt, cracked pepper... Insanely Good!  As an added bonus, the Kale is nature's colon blow! You  pants will fit a little better after that trip to the Looo... Haha!

 Then there was a guy selling Live Lobsters.. I got 2 hard shells and ate this with my Kale.. Very Delicious and nutrient dense! Take advantage of this great resource! These farmers do an unreal job! You are going to have to spend money on food, you might as well eat ultra fresh food and give your money to people in your community! I am excited to see what show up next week!

Dig in!

As soon as you decide that you want to be a competitive Kettlebell lifter, you will become obsessed with one thing that will haunt you continuously....What do I need to do to improve my results?

The biggest mistake that I have made, and that I see other people make is, when the training becomes difficult and they start to experience some backsliding on numbers... people start to look for some outside force to shift the blame to... For Example... the Coach, or his method.. this is the best way to guarantee you stay stuck and continue to unravel... 

"Wrong event" is another good one. If you are doing Biathalon, snatches are tough and long cycle "should"be easier, so shift over there as soon as you can, or vice versa... If both of these events are recently relegated to the scrap heap... Try strongsport, this is great way to train short distances and feel great about yourself for a little while... But that too will cease to be fun after you make it through the first couple levels... 

My point is, as soon as you are serious about getting better, you gotta dig in and face the music...
JUst know some days are great and some days just suck for no reason... It is part of the process..

 Enough tap dancing and seminar going... Suit up and face your demons one rep at time... this will lead to new self awarenesses.... and it is the only real way to get past the rough patches that come after your natural abilities run out.. 

This is the point where lifters are made or broken... WHen the easy steady progress ends... the real work begins... Nobody is rooting anymore... You are alone... just you and the metal, this is where the magic happens...