Re-cap of USA Nationals 2015

First I'd like to thank Yuri and Alex and the rest of the American Kettlebell Alliance for hosting a great competition. It was a long day for us lifters and longer for the judges and those helping out. Thank you to Cyrus and Vulcan Strength Training Systems for providing the kettlebells and making sure no one had any issues with the bells. Also thank you to all the sponsors who helped make the event possible of happening.
     This competition was going to be different for me as I would not be competing in my normal 73kg weight class. I would drop down to 68kg for this competition to occupy an open weight class. I used to compete at 147-152lbs in college boxing. So I knew I would be able to get down to that weight. It took some time; reducing calories, increasing cardio, and more visits to the sauna, but I was able to make it down. It took me close to 3 weeks to drop down to 67.4kg (148lbs). I got stuck at 155lbs and then again at 150lbs. I had to fast the last day to make the weight. That was one of the longest days leading up to the competition.
     This event was one of the biggest of the year. It was set up so that those lifting in the professional level would go first and then all amateurs would lift second. Similar to world championships there was only 2 minutes between sets to prepare your bell so you needed a team to help make sure you are set up for your set. There were some advantages to this being there weren't many biathlon lifters and we also lifted first and last. Enough time to get the bells and prepare the handles. The bells we all used were the new Vulcan Absolute Competition Kettlebell (check them out here )

They were different from what a lot of us were use to. Some of us had access to the fist version of Vulcan Bells and others had kettlebells with 35mm handles. So it was time for some adjustments to the plan. The goal was 50 reps in Jerk and 50/50 reps in Snatch but being there would be an adjustment needed for the unfamiliarity of the bells I looked at doing 40 reps in Jerk and 40/40 in Snatch. The plan was to go 6rpm in jerk and 15 rpm in snatch. That's the pace at which I feel most comfortable at. The men's professional line up was a good one. Some of the best in country came out and participated in the event to help make a strong Team USA for World Championships in November. Here are my two sets from USA Nationals

32+32kg Kettlebell Jerk

  

And 32kg Kettlebell Snatch



Both weren't my best sets but I felt I put up good numbers for being in the 68kg weight class. Next time I'll be better prepared when dropping down again to that weight class. Other lifters that did well to make Team USA is John Lesko MS, John "Wild" Buckley, Chris Doenlen, Marty Farrell MS, Aaron Guyett and myself who will round off the Professional Biathlon Lifters. The rest of the professional team includes Juan Pellot, Brittany VS, Melissa Swanson, Erin Moraites, Rick Martins, Will Haas, Svitlana K, Ryle Reeves (junior Pro), Bill Esch and Nocona J. This will be a good showing for Team USA as we are growing in the Professional level.
If you missed the event you can check out everyone who lifted or your favorite lifters on the American Kettlebell Alliance YouTube page.
Over the next 3 months I'll be preparing for Worlds as this will be my first time going overseas to compete as well traveling to Dublin as I have never been there.
I will train hard, train smart and hope to do my best lifting in Dublin!!