Washington's Strongest Apple 2011

The weather was perfect - sunny, high 70's, enough breeze to keep you cool.

Grant put on a great competition again ;)

My main goal at this year's competition was to beat my previous performance at Strongest Apple, especially on the farmer's walk and yoke walk.

Strongest apple 2010 was my first Strongman Competition. I had never touched a yoke, farmer's walk implements or keg. I had just learned the previous month to clean & press and I had practiced flipping a tire a little lighter than the event wt.

I went into this competition with a shoulder injury, only Adam, Mike and my chiropractor, Gib, really knew how bad it was (I told KVW about it the night before..). I was in a lot of pain the week leading up to the competition. All we can figure is I pulled/injured something (most likely subscap) and everything else in my rotator cuff and my lat on my right side spasmed and overcompensated. Its really gnarly and more painful than anything I have had in a long time. Lots of ice and ibuprofen for the days leading up to the event, Vicodin in hopes of sleeping..anyhow..that is my "excuse" for feeling like I kind of phoned it in on kegs and sled.

I did beat my previous farmer's walk. I made it 80 feet with 2 drops, picked it a 3rd and 4th time to try and get around the cone but couldn't do it. We have a 2 drop rule in training, to save your back for the rest of the day..but everyone was yelling to get around the turn..couldn't do it.

I am pleased with my distance. 153 lbs per hand for 80 feet, better than I have done in training for distance with that weight. And much improved from my first competition at apple last year :)

The yoke was 585lbs. I made it further than I have in training with that wt. ;) I didn't get my official distance, but I think 40ft...

The Events in order:

Farmer's walk - worst for first :) but it was good

Keg load/sled drag - I loaded the kegs alright (150 and 180) but couldn't get the sled going. The act of picking up the kegs seems to piss off my shoulder.

Deficit Deadlift - I did well, got 15 reps with 231lbs. we hadnt trained quite deep enough, but I am pleased with 15.

Yoke walk, as I said above, I was pleased. this yoke was heavier than the weight we did at nationals last year, which seemed easy at the time. I think my poor sleep due to shoulder discomfort probably affected everything but I was happy with it.

Keg Load to platform. 150, 180, 200, 220 I got the 150 easy, I carried the 180 and my shoulder was done. I did better last year on keg load, but can't remember if our kegs were lighter.

It was a great group of competitors. Everyone is so supportive, especially Kristyn :) and everyone had a great show, even the guy who smashed his fingers on the first keg load (ouch).

Adam did great , this was his first competition.

Lisa really kicked ass ;) she really made a good comeback to strongman competition, she gave Kristyn a good run for 1st.

And Mike did awesome, as usual. I am always impressed watching Mike and thankful and proud to be part of his training group. I will miss Mike and Lisa terribly when we move.

So, that's as much as I want to type with my shoulder still aching. I go for deep tissue and maybe acupuncture tomorrow, hopefully will be healed up and training in no time. I can still do some leg work in a few days :)