Topic: My Third WL Comp - Some thoughts

[Zach Wheeler]

I just finished my 3rd WL comp. Thought I'd post videos, some of my comments and maybe get some feedback. I gained a lot of experience during this one, more-so than my first two. A little disappointed with the lifts, but I'll learn.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPUfi8ko14c

Before the Comp

First off, I was a little on the heavy side prior to the weigh-in (~96kg, trying to get to 94kg). I didn't eat from 6pm until 10:30am...really bad idea. Even after I ate I was really lightheaded and wasn't feeling that great. Plus I was dehydrated. On a side note, too much caffeine sucks...combined with nerves and my heart was pounding a little too much.

Alll in all it was a horrible way to start the comp haha

Snatch

I mismanaged my time and had about 15min to warmup, not the best way to warm up to your opener.

Opener @ 80kg was good IMO...first lift is always awkward. I thought about opening @ 75kg, but I'm pleased

Second lift @ 85kg was horrible. I popped a MASSIVE blister in my hand as soon as the weight came off the floor..right under my pinky. I ripped the skin off and the exposed skin hurt like hell. I put a band-aid on and some tape to minimize the pain, it helped somewhat.

Third lift @ 85 kg...felt heavy, but on the video it seemed fast. A little disappointed I didn't get to attempt 87.5/90, but I'm looking at 90kg as my opener for the provincial comp in March

Clean and Jerk

Warmup was good. I didn't do that many lifts. Doubles with 50 and 70, and a single with 80. Some people were doing a TON of sets, is that normal?

First lift @ 90kg...WAYYY too light. The caffeine was really kicking in at this point and was making me a little sick. I was planning on changing it to 100kg, but backed off.

Second lift @ 100kg...felt just as light as my first lift. The jerk kinda sucked foot wise.

Third lift @ 105kg...light, should have given 110kg a shot.

If I had my time back I would have gone 100/110/115, I'm sure some of you can relate to this feeling.

[Shaun Le Conte]

Those snatches were very easy for you - I'll look for higher results later this year. Where in Canada?

[Zach Wheeler]

St. John's

Where are you?

[Shaun Le Conte]

In Malaysia, southeast Asia but I will be in southern Ontario in a few weeks. Good luck with training. Didn't know there was anyone lifting in St. John's. That's good that you are. Who else trains there? Who is the coach? Bert Squires?

[Zach Wheeler]

There are a few juniors who lift, but not many older then that.

We had one lifter, Nick Roberts, who just broke the Canadian record for total (he went 150/193) in the 94kg class...but he lifts in Quebec now

[Justin Ott]

Well for some positive feedback-
your clean and jerks looked pretty good and your snatches looked light for you. You have the strength to do a lot more weight.

Some constructive feedback-
I also had trouble getting the full(deep) snatch down and did power snatches most of the time. You need to learn to catch the bar in the deep position. Easier said then done but it is a must and I sympathize with you because this was a stumbling point for me. Start going down all the way in training and warm up with drop snatches to build speed and muscle memory. The other thing I noticed was you had a lot of excuses. There is no excuses, you lift what you lift. End of story. Try to control the things you can like, making weight, proper diet, positive attitude. by the time you are on the platform just think of the lift and make it. There is no room for excuses. Please take this as constructive as it will help you in the long run. No one is perfect.

[Mike Cook]

I was going to suggest the same thing about the snatch.  If you are able to receive the bar in a deeper squat, you will be able to lift a much heavier weight.  I too had a lot of problems with that.  What helped me fix it and get used to the low receiving position is practicing hang snatch, with starting with the bar at your waist.  Use a fairly light weight to start with maybe 50% of max and really try to get under the bar as quick as possible.  The other things that will help are drop snatch as suggested above and overhead squats.  Finally, I think you could improve your ankle flexibility.  That will make the start position easier, so you can get all the way down with your heels on the floor.

[kaptain.kayak]

Hey Zack! It's Andrew. My friend linked me this page saying "this gym looks awfully familiar!".

I'll be home next week for a few of weeks, though I'll only be in town for part of it. We should get together and lift sometime.