24 Hours at a Powerlifting Competition in Gloucestershire

After a three and a half hour drive, we arrived in Gloucestershire, where I was preparing for the powerlifting competition.

I arrived 20 minutes early to the pre-competition weigh-ins. Finally after some dawdling, people started turning up at 8am on the dot. I weighed in at precisely 98 kilos and was competing in the competed in the 105 kilo weight class.

Next on the agenda was of course a quick brekky. I needed some fast-acting carbs for this, and with minimal preparation due to traveling up the night before and staying with a friend, i ate a packet of five bagels - plain. The photographer was kind enough to catch me mid-scran, looking absolutely stunning.....

As well as the bagels, I had some Sour patch kids for blood sugar. Now you're probably thinking: what on earth sort of diet was this before a major competition.

I get it, really, i do. It sounds ridiculous. My thought process was as follows:

1. i did not want to have anything too heavy on my stomach before lifting

2. 2. I needed a fast acting carb

3. I knew id need something to spike my blood sugar

   
   

   Once I had completed my first squat warm-up, 3/4 of the way through, I'd had a pre-workout top-up, Overdrive, which you can get here.

   
   

   Then the next phase commenced...

   
   

SQUATS

My first attempt was good, as was my 3rd squat attempt, but my 2nd squat attempt didn't go as well as expected and played it safe with 217.5 kilos (in my head i wanted 220 on the day) once id did 217, i knew there would be plenty of room to spare.

With this being my first powerlifting competition, i wanted to focus on getting all of the lifts in rather than missing any, the journey not the result sort of mindset. With it being my first competition, I wanted to go 9 for 9 (3 lifts on squats, 3 bench 3 deadlift) for optimal momentum.

BENCH PRESS

By this point, I was losing energy due to longer wait between people in lower weight classes doing their bench presses first and I was in heavier weight class which meant that I was near last. I managed to secure 125 kilos however with the long wait it was very nice to network and meet fellow lifters from all around the UK.

DEADLIFTS

Now onto my deadlifts, my bread and butter lift. I attempted 26 kilos , which, to my surprise when compared to 260 earlier in year, the weight absolutely flew, much easier than expected. Throughout the day when talking to people, I was listening to my favourite playlist on my headphones. I had (yes) another scoop of pre-workout. (side n

(I do not recommend this) but it got me through the initial fatigue of the day nonetheless.

Despite it being my first comp, it was great to see what others were doing and network with like-minded people, and so I would rate it a successful competition.

Ultimately, its all about the experience. My message to other fellow lifters out there would be to stay composed, stay calm and remember the months and years of training that have led you to this moment, and overall, just don't overthink it.

Let me know in the comments your powerlifting tips/experiences below!