We are home from the APC National Powerlifting Competition. It was a long trip to and back from Peoria, Illinois. 12.5 hours in the car can wear a person out.
My husband and I went up on Thursday to get settled in our hotel. We had to weigh in to determine our weight class. We both weighed in matching our previous weight classes. My husband competed in the 75kg class and I competed in the 52kg class.
After weigh in we went to watch the Women's and Teen's Full Meet (squat, benchpress, deadlift). It was very entertaining and got us geared up for our competition. After watching the Lightweight and Junior's Men on Saturday morning, we competed in the benchpress only competition that was held on Saturday afternoon.
Everyone was so supportive. It is still pretty intimidating to lift with men who press 400 and 500 pounds. Still, they cheered me on for every lift. I was able to break the current National and World records with my second lift. I am thrilled! Having had only six weeks to train between the Georgia State competition and Nationals, I wasn't sure if I would be able to break the records. I only broke the record by 0.5 Kilograms but, I did it!
So the results are: My husband won his class by tying his National and World records, qualifying him to compete in the GPA World Powerlifting Competition in December. I won my class and also won Women's Best Lifter in the Benchpress. I also qualified to compete in the World Competition in December. I also won the Women's Best Lifter award, beating out a very strong 200 lb girl. The winner is determined by running our lifts through a complicated coefficient formula designed to equalize the results after factoring in age and bodyweight. I guess that makes me strong for my size.
With six months to train until the World Competition, we should make some great gains. I am hoping to set new records.
In the mean time, we will take our family on an upcoming vacation for some very much need R&R. During this time, I won't have to wait for him to walk through the door every day after work. He will be with us all week and it will be great!
In celebration of our wins, Stronger Than Hunger is offering 20% off on all merchandise at www.strongerthanhunger.com. Use PEORIA as the discount code. Remember, profits from the sales are donated to the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry for hunger relief. You may also make pledges there for the World Competition in December, 2011. Also, please follow our training and hunger relief efforts on our Stronger Than Hunger on Facebook page or @Strngrthanhngr on Twitter.
