I was embarrassed about competing with low numbers when I thought about competing several months ago, but I'm completely, 100% over that now. The numbers I want to reach are a benchmark of my total progress. I want to feel like I've done something before I go to a meet. The last one I went to, there were some guys doing <200 bench presses, <250 squats, and <300 deadlifts. I guess that's good and all, but I didn't think they deserved to be on the same stage as the guys that had put in years of hard work. It was a mockery....almost.

I keep saying "competing" and "competition", but until this morning, I never really considered that there would be other people I'm "lifting against" at the meet. I really don't care one bit about that. For me, the competition is about training with goals, peaking, and then hitting PRs under pressure and making those numbers concrete.

The guys I train with now are the best ever. I feel stronger just by training in that environment. So far, someone has hit a PR during every single training session. I get loads of good encouragement. The other benefit that they keep mentioning from competing in this meet is that I'll be in a good environment since so many of the guys from the gym would be there with me. If I compete in the fall, I might be solo.

If I don't hit the numbers I want at the meet, then I'll be more motivated. That's the way it always works for me. I hate it when important things lose their intrinsic value. It's a pretty bad feeling if you're aware enough to notice. I do wonder how I will feel after I do a meet in the fall.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.