Topic: Should I compete at 56kgs or 62kgs?

[Dane Hussey]

Right now, I am training alone which I am sure everyone knows is not ideal or as much fun as training in a group.

Training alone requires one to be highly motivated, etc. There is also no one to spot technique problems, but a video camera would be useful.

Your competition is not the other lifters in your class. It is the barbell that you are going to attempt to lift, because if you can't lift it, the other lifters don't matter.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Training alone requires one to be highly motivated, etc.

Well, I am highly motivated. I am angry and I always lift well when I am angry. Right now, I am very, very, very angry. I don't like being banned from my sport of 20 years, especially for some bizarre, unknown bureaucratic reason.

There is also no one to spot technique problems, but a video camera would be useful.

I am all for it. I am in the middle of a major overhaul of my jerk. It is very, very different. I am finally using finesse instead of just trying to bully the weight as I have always done. I will post video soon.

Your competition is not the other lifters in your class.

Thats certainly true if I lift in the 56kg class. In the 62kgs, I will have some competition and will have to be ready. Though, I will certainly have to be ready as well to set an American Record in the 56kg class. Either way, I must be ready and I will be.

"It is the barbell that you are going to attempt to lift, because if you can't lift it, the other lifters don't matter."

I agree. I have no fear.

Thanks Dane.

[Janet Beckham]

Chris,

I can't believe I'm saying this to you because I've seen what you go through to cut weight to compete at 56, but I think you should compete at 56 ... at least one more time.  You were so close last August.  And you're not getting any younger.  You should go for it while you can still make the sacrifice of cutting weight.  I know what it means to you for your name to be on the record that is rightfully yours.  Regardless of the outcome there are those of us who know that you own that record and that weight class.   :wink:

[Mike Wittmer]

Chris, if you want to win I guess it comes down to whether you think it will be easier to weigh in at 56 kilos or beat Derrick Johnson.  I don't know what you go through to make that bodyweight (56) so I can't help other than to say if you do make weight you'll be a shoe in to win.  I do know that Derrick is finally healthy (I think he had more in him at the seniors and we will see more improvement from him if he stays healthy) and if you go 62 you'll probably have to lift more weight than you have in the last seven or so years.  I know how hard it was for me to improve when I hit 30, but I had two knee operations so maybe it will be different for you.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Mike,

Its very hard for me to make 56. I wouldn't count Aaron Adams out at 62 though. I think he will be in the mix. But, I believe whoever would face me at 62 would have to do 265 to beat me. I think its easier to win 62s then make weight and do a 138 CJ @56. The fact that others might not think I could take the 62s definitely makes me want to go there....

I'm still torn. Of course, first I have to be eligible anyway. I agreed to the USOC compromise offer to join the OOC program and be immediately eligible if they can show me the policy that supposedly rules me ineligible. But, they are having a lot of trouble finding that policy. They have also stated it didn't matter that I was misinformed about it and doesn't matter that they are enforcing it a year and a half or something after I returned from retirement. They may come back if they can't find the policy, which I don't think they will find, and say that doesn't matter either. At that point, I will not accept this compromise and I will probably be embroiled in the battle for who knows how long.

Anwyay, thanks for your thoughts.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Right now, I am thinking I will go 56kgs at Americans and 62kgs at Nationals, probably backward of what most people would do. At Americans, I may simply open with a new American record because I don't care about winning or losing an Americans. I would probably just skip the snatch or snatch the empty bar. And, I would rather win a National title against some competition as it is more satisfying. Just my current thoughts. All feedback is appreciated. My training is going very well.

Thanks

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I am in the process of preparing the 2007 Senior Nationals for the site and I just edited the 56+62kg classes. I thought the way Aaron Adams made his last clean and jerk at 143 showed he could have done more. If I read his body language correctly, he felt he could have loaded up what was necessary to win overall and made it.

I agree with him.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Mike,

By the way, it hasn't been seven years since I lifted in the 62kg class and did enough to beat Derrick Johnson or Aaron Adams best total ever. In 2002, I did 262.5kgs at 62kgs in the senior nationals. And, if i didn't cut weight for 56 in 2006, I could have done right around the same total. It is true that I was not in shape for the 2005 senior nationals. I only trained a few times for 15-20 minutes each in the 3-4 months leading up to that contest.

If I am the considered the underdog in the 62s, I hope some people will take some bets....maybe give me some odds....