I want to make some observations based on my last couple months of training.
First of all, weightlifting is fun. Fucking Hard, but tons of fun! Although it is about as basic of an idea as could ever be imagined (pick something up and put it overhead, the heaviest thing wins), it can be very complex and fulfilling. As most of you know that have ever attempted a snatch, it is a very complex and technical movement. The margin for error is very small especially at heavier weight. The athleticism need is also right up there with a major league pitcher, professional footballer (soccer or football), or tennis player. Interestingly enough the benefits of weightlifting (snatch and clean and jerk) cover each of these disciplines. To me it seems like a no brainer for people to feel the need to get better at these two movements for the betterment of their sport. I am getting off track a bit, sorry.

More observations:
Little gains make big differences and are a big deal. When i added 3 kgs to my snatch and went from 97 to 100 kg a couple months ago it was a mental victory. Not only did i realize a goal for 2009 but it also forced me to adjust all my numbers. Obviously in training 70% of 97 is different than 70% of 100. All this means is that all my training weights went up and forced me to work harder. I was talking to steve at the american open and as we were pumped about getting PR’s in our lifts, we were a little bummed that training was going to be harder in the future. I guess this forces us to get stronger. Eventually however 90% gets easier and easier as you train more. This is the idea behind progressive loading i suppose.

It sucks training alone. I train in my garage and rarely hit big lifts. I attempt them all day but the atmosphere is different in my garage than say at a national meet. I can’t count the amount of times i have missed a 100kg snatch over the last couple weeks. However, i nailed it at the American Open last weekend. I even got 105 unofficially (press out). Looking at the video, it was easy. What is wrong with me in training?? Well nothing besides the fact that i am barely held accountable. I report to my coaches Greg and Aimee at Catalyst Athletics, but they can’t yell at me before and after lifts and this makes a huge difference.

Weightlifting is hard!
It takes alot of mental strength to get under the bar on the fifth set of squats at 85% of your max for a set of 5. The desire not to fail is crucial. This transfers well into the the mental strength needed for Crossfit.

PR’s are fun, but rare.
As a novice lifter i experienced many more PR’s than a seasoned lifter. I went from a 90 kg snatch and 110 kg clean and jerk to a 105 kg snatch and 130 kg clean and jerk. All my squats and presses have gone up as well. I attribute this to being new and don’t expect as much gains in the future. This is an understanding anyone who has been in sport for a while can understand. Once you get to a certain level, progress is hard and you have to fight tooth and nail to get it and keep it. If you don’t get fired up and want to tell everyone that you PR’d in the snatch by 2 kilos then you might not be in the right field. I watched my girlfriend snatch 55kg a week ago and the smile she had afterwards was amazing! I was like a proud father and wanted to tell everyone. So keep in mind the joy goes beyond just the athlete. One final note here. PR’s are records for a reason. They aren’t meant to be beat everytime you attempt them. its ok not to hit a record everytime. In fact i would say it is a good thing if you miss PR’s everytime you train. To me this means your PR is actually pretty legit and you have to work like hell to beat it.

Where do i go from here?
I feel like i still have tons of potential as a weightlifter. i also have a strange desire to compete in teh CF games in 2010. I think, despite others views, that i can do both and be competitive in both. This will take a strong focus on quality training and will need to be reviewed by someone other than myself. I am too easy on myself. Obviously i won’t make the huge gains in either sport but that i part of the compromise i am willing to make. So now i have to figure out what this hybrid program looks like and talk with my coaches about how to make it work.

Thank you all for your support and i will do my best to make you proud as an athlete!!

Dutch