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Getting Stupid – Powerlifting Idiocy

I wander into the gym at my regular time on Friday and make my way over to the drop pads with plans to do dead lifts. Taped to the mirror is notification of an upcoming powerlifting competition sponsored by RAW United.

I’m not a strong-man, but I can move a decent amount of weight for my size (188) and age (44). Reading the notice immediately makes me stupid, and I start loading weight on the bar for dead lift:

• 135 x 6
• 225 x 5
• 315 x 3
• 365 x 1
• 415 x 1
• 435 x 1

And that’s enough of that.

I didn’t hurt myself, but it’s been a long time since I’ve gone anywhere near that high, and my back felt the strain.

I wisely skipped squats, but continued my stupidity on the bench, where I ended up doing 215 for 1. Not much, I know, but more than I’ve done in a long time given my elbow and right shoulder. I think I might be able to do a little more.

My stupidity temporarily depleted, I finished the rest of my workout normally.

When I got back in front of a computer, I looked up the RAW United web site, and found the records under the Ironman Category. The Iron Man is lifting with no assistance at all – no belts, straps, wraps or gloves, just some chalk for grip.  Perfect for me, since I don’t use any of that stuff anyway.

The first thing I notice is that there are no records in the 181 pound class for the 40 – 44 age group. Which, of course, means I could easily set the record for dead lift, squat, and bench.

In the 198 pound class, 40 – 44 age group, the record is:

• 330 squat
• 300 bench
• 600 deadlift

Now the event isn’t until April 17th, almost two months. Given the 198 class records, I think I’ll aim for 181, which means I have to drop about 8-9 pounds. Easy enough. 

Realistically, I think I could shoot for:

• 425 dead lift
• 340 squat
• 230 bench

for a 995 total. I might be able to eek out another 5 pounds in there somewhere. Back in my early 30s, before the elbow and shoulder, I benched 285 with a three lift total of 1085. Without my bench, I don’t think I could get that high again.

Anyway… I’m thinking about entering. Haven’t made up my mind, and I have about a month to send in the contest fee ($25). Who knows?

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