ASC All American Strongman Challenge (Fit Expo)

I have wanted to compete in this contest ever since I attended the 2005 Fit Expo. In 2005, I went to the Fit Expo to referee at the powerlifting meet, and on day 2 I was on stage for the strongman contest spotting and resetting the weights. It was this contest that convinced me to compete in the 2005 NorCal strongman contest, my first strongman contest. If it was not for this contest in 2005, I might not even be in the sport of strongman right now. So you can see why I could not wait to compete here.

Unfortunately, I had some setbacks in training which made preparation harder for such a big contest. I was really hoping to skate by on the first four events and qualify for the finals, then let my better events come out and play. It just did not work out that way.

Day One

1. 335# Farmers for max distance: I knew going in this would be a tough event for me. I am typically not horrible at the farmers walk, but in this group of guys competing, my grip is lagging. Odd’s farmers implements are challenging due to the thicker handle (and the fact that they were freshly pained did not help much!). I knew to have any shot at decent points, I would need to make at least 80’. The pick felt extremely easy, but as soon as I started walking, I could feel the implements slipping immediately. I made it only 12-15’ before I dropped them. Not an auspicious start, but with yoke coming up next, I hoped I could make up the points.

2. 880# Yoke for 82’: Yoke is typically a good event for me, but as luck would have it, training for this contest took a toll on me and I was battling severe shin splints for the last two months or so. I was hoping that I could heal them up by taking a complete week off of training before the contest. After my last warmup with 780#, I knew this would be tough as my shins were already screaming at me. I got to go against Brad Dunn, who I knew was pretty good at the yoke. As we started off, I could see he was going faster than me. All I could really focus on was the pain in my shins step after step. At about the halfway mark, I was forced to drop it. After re-picking it, I made it about another 10’ for a total of about 50’. This was truly disappointing. Since yoke was a better event for me, I knew a poor performance would spell certain doom on my chances making the cut.

3. 30,000# Truck pull for 82’: I tore my calf a few months before this contest and we got hit with some serious rain so I never got a chance to practice this event. After the yoke, I was almost considering pulling out as my shins were hurting and I was afraid of re-tearing my calf. The fighter in me, however, kept me from withdrawing. I was first to go and had a horrible start. I was too high, and was a bit to cautious on my calf. After the truck got moving, I realized the calf was okay, so I really start to get low and pick up speed. I felt I was moving pretty well until I was about 15’ from the line. At this time my biceps were cramping and I had trouble keeping my hands on the guide rope. This without a doubt cost me some time. I passed the line in under 43 seconds, not a blazing time, but I was actually happy considering I had not tested the calf at all since the tear.

Day Two

4. 300# Log press for reps: Going into this event, the only chance I had of making the cut was to miraculously bust out 15 reps or pull a Tonya Harding on all my competitors. I opted to just set a PR and I did just that. I got 6 reps pretty easy, and set the log down. I almost had the 7th rep locked out, but could not finish it. After I went, some of the guys told me I was getting some really long down calls so that could have cost me a couple reps. But all in all, it had no bearing on the final placings, so I was happy with my PR, but sad that my day was over.

After I was done, I had some time to think about this contest and the mistakes I made. I could reflect on my training and how it could have been better. I thought about the crazy problems I have been having with injuries (in the last 8 months, I have had 2 serious back injuries, a torn calf, and the shin splints). But above all, I was amazed at the level of every athlete at this competition. It was pretty awesome and extremely motivating.

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