Long version of meet recap:
385 is a squat I can do any day, any time. However, I did not account for how different this was going to feel using my new highbar squat form. This meet used a mammoth bar weighing 65lbs and the diameter on this thing was massive. Wasnt a big deal when I squatted in the lowbar position but highbar, it was rocking and rolling on me. I took it down, came up and lost balance almost tipping forward and overcorrected and almost lost it backwards.
405 moved better/faster and 435 even better. I had so much more in the tank but played it too safe after the first attempt scare. 435 was a 5 lb PR for naked knees in competition so im not upset but more was there and without it, my 3 lift total goal of 1400 was no longer able to be realized.
While warming up for bench, I felt so good it was unreal. However, once 225 was on the bar, I noticed how thick and squishy the bench pad was creating a very unsecured surface underneath me. Im use to benching on a hard pad and this was nuts. It was a balancing act more than benching. 225 was so unsteady I was shaking like I was using an earthquake bar. I stopped warming up at 275 and just had it in my head I needed to keep my back locked extra tight. 325 moved faster than anything over 300 ever has. 345 also moved so fast but I lost balance on the squishy pad and in catching myself my arms wobbled back and forth a little and I got red lights for it.
I know 365 was there today, if not more if I was on my own bench or a hard one but I could not risk going higher with how unfamiliar and wobbly this damn bench pad was so I retook the 345 and smoked it. This ended up being 10 lbs under my best raw comp bench and my biggest disappointment today in my own execution. To know the strength was there and I didnt get to show it hurt.
For deadlift, I went with the mentality of using my opener as my last warmup before going straight to breaking my own deadlift state record by 5lbs. That was 495 and 545. When I got 545 up, I was all smiles holding on to it and knew I did what I mainly wanted to do today and now it was time to have fun and see just for fun what I might be able to do.
I had them load 565 which is now 20lbs over anything ive ever picked up off the floor. I had no idea if this was even doable, I was just flowing with the energy of the crowd. To my absolute shock, I broke it off the ground, got it to my knees and my eyes must have been popping out my head because I was so excited, I could not believe it. Usually, when I get to my knees with a pull, its a done deal I got it because im strongest there. Its the first 2-3 inches I gotta clear and then we are home free.
Unfortunately as my excitement built, I got robbed. My grip failed me for the first time ever and the bar crashed to the floor. I was so upset because I friggen had it!!!! And then I looked at my left hand and all my callouses were ripped off.
585 aka 6 plates per side has been a long standing goal of mine to deadlift. I am only 20lbs away!!!!!
