"The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break." ~Rick Hansen~What to do?
Yesterday, my competition Kettlebell class had it's mock tournament. At the end of every many-week session, we are tested as if we are actually in competition, doing our chosen lift in the 10 minute time frame. I currently compete in the Long Cycle Jerk using a 16kg (35.2lb) bell. In 10 minutes (almost exactly 5 minutes on each arm) I completed 74 total long cycle jerk lifts. This is 12 more than I accomplished the last time I tested (early June, just before I broke my leg), so I guess I should be satisfied.
I am not, however. I have been studying the ranking sheet over at the IKFF website. Currently, with that test, I would have achieved a 3rd Ranking in the "Sporting Perfection" category of my weight class. In order to accomplish a 1st ranking, I need to add 46 more lifts into my 10 minute time frame, for a total of 120. Or lose 50 pounds before the competition (either June or July). If I lose 50 lbs by the competition, I only need to add in 40 more lifts (total of 114) in 10 minutes.
Or I guess I could aim for 100 total lifts using a 20kg (44 lb) bell.
And here I thought I was doing so well. (Picture the cartoon version of me rolling around on the floor, laughing and crying and out of control.)
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That face I am wearing in the photo? That is my "Oh Dear God ... I am not even finished with the first arm and I am flat exhausted" face. By the time I switched over to the right arm, my legs were tired, my upper back was fatigued and I was starting to lose focus. I was far more disciplined on my left arm, for timing and rhythm, but my right arm had cleaner technique and my lifts were more perfect. This is due, in part, to the fact that my right rotator cuff has been giving me fits and I am very aware that if my form is off in the slightest, that arm will be done for months, instead of merely weeks.
(Thanks, Lynn, for taking the photo, btw. It's always good to see the
Of course, I felt that my right forearm was destroyed before the 7 minute mark and is still wimpy today. My legs were thrashed at the 5 minute mark. I guess I know what body parts need special attention over the next 4 months.
So, I guess I do have a plan of sorts, and some serious goals in mind. I may need to tweak them in May or so, depending upon how I progress. I am going to work on building my forearm strength and endurance. I am going to spend more time on the squats and lunges ... and calf lifts, as my left leg, especially, still gets incredibly tired. I am going to up my cardio for endurance and fat loss. (Yes, that means running again, at least 1 day a week.) I am going to keep that diet clean and be prepared. (Meaning, there will be cheat days, but I will plan for them and not let weekends run off on their own merry way because I haven't properly prepared,)
Who knows? If I am diligent in my training, I may accomplish all of the goals ... gain the lifts AND lose the weight. Then I could compete for the CMS (Candidate Master of Sport) ranking.
I have certainly got my work cut out for me over the next several months.
"The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break." ~Rick Hansen~
"If I've got correct goals, and if I keep pursuing them the best way I know how, everything falls into line. If I do the right thing right, I'm going to succeed." ~Dan Dierdorf~
