As the strongman gods would have it, I have been given a small opportunity to test my grit in some of my favorite strongman movements. The Strongman Games is a Crossfit style qualifier event where lifters accomplish 3 lifts for a max weight or total poundage via video entry. They then submit it online to compare against other lifters in your respective weight class world wide. It’s in its second year and although there are still nooks and crannies to clean up, this very ambitious competition has given my training a breath of fresh air. Don’t be fooled by the Crossfit comparison , this is a very heavy and very competitive Strongman Competition held in North Carolina in December.  Although my focus remains on Florida’s Strongest man, this particular qualifier gives  me a chance to test some of my current strength, try old toys I haven’t used in a while, as well as that long lost tunnel vision I have missed so very… very much.

The events are a log clean and press for 5 reps to obtain a max total (1 clean only), 1 rep max deadlift (suit and straps allowed), and a farmers for 50/50ft with max weight. These 3 movements are a staple in any strongman competition but also a fair way to judge total strongman ability. Press, pull and move. The absolute fundamentals in our sport and not to mention some of my favorites of all time. That being said, just because they are my favorite it does not make them my best events. Despite what you may think, eating a lot and drinking weekend beers is not a competitive event. Due to  such a long lay off from  lifting because of injuries, my strength numbers are no where near what they used to be. Relax, I am not going to give you some sob story about what I used to be but just the reality of where I’m at. I am neither regretful nor so ambitious that I forget just how long this journey has been and how much further I have to go. The plan is to achieve numbers that give me a competitive total, move me forward in my strength recovery, and remind myself (and maybe others) that I ain’t dead yet mother fuckers.

It wont be easy. With only 5-6 weeks left to truly prepare against lifters who have had no off season will be a swim against the current.. but such is life isn’t it? Isn’t it why we are here? Why you’re reading this? Why we push our bodies to the limit ? When the Valkyries catch up with us and we are on the steps of Valhalla.. did we really have what it takes. The importance of your goal is set by your dedication and by your courage. If you are sharpening you sword only to take a lesser opponent less seriously, then you’re as foolish as the warrior who faces his worst enemy with a dull edge (write that shit down). Did I lose you? I hope not. The qualifier is not the end all, be all but I wont approach it without the respect it deserves. The respect I deserve to myself. My mind, my spirit and my body can no longer take athletic endeavors casually. I wrote that check and my ass is cashing it every day. There are just some things I can’t do right now, or ever again if I truly want to obtain my Strongman goals. And although there are many out there taking this as a weekend lift and I am sure they will absolutely set some serious numbers, that is not my path. I have always been 0 to 100 in most aspects of my life (some times to my detriment) and approaching this causally will lead me off the path. Why? Because I know myself and knowing yourself is half the battle….

Support those who support you Inzer

Stay on the path with Gift of Injury 

Take Away Points:

• Short term goals should not deter you from the end game. Meet these short term endeavors with tenacity and ambition but not at the expense of what is on your horizon.
• Be realistic. Stop lying to yourself. Too often we let the pace of others dictate how fast we need to move forward. Acknowledge where you are in your training (physically and mentally) and prepare a proper training cycle to optimize your momentum.
• Sweat the small stuff. The longer you last in a sport or life in general, the faster you realize there are no “small things”. Treat all competitive goals with the amount of respect they demand. Trust me, there is no shittier feeling than losing or doing poorly at an event you thought you’d  breeze by.
• Know yourself. Study your mind set, learn your weaknesses and sharpen your strengths. Spend less time studying strangers on instagram and focus on hardening your mental resolve. Introspection in sports leads to accountability in all aspects of life. There is no question here, I am right on this, trust me.

Never Stray from The Way

MDLP