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Articles of Interest to Those New To Powerlifting,
As Well as Sport Veterans. |
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Take A Chance With Me
Donna Marts
Growing up, whenever I heard the phrase "it will be good for you, it builds character" I knew my parents wanted me to do something that was outside my comfort zone. Forty some years later I still resist doing anything that would require me to step out side my box. I mean, how much character does one really need that it is worth the big chance you take when you step outside your "safe" zone? Well slap me silly because I am here to make a pitch to you fellow novice lifters to take that step to the next level in your powerlifting, get out of your comfort zone and compete in Nationals.
2005 was my first trip to Nationals and I was so green I didn't even know what I didn't know. I was shocked when it was time for my weight class to begin lifting and no one gave us a recap of the rules. I almost went into a state of shock when I realized some guy I didn't know would be handing of the bar to me on the bench press. How would he know where I needed the bar placed? But just as panic was about to set it, a "veteran" calmly put her hand on my shoulder and assured me that it was just like lifting in a local meet, you squat, you bench, you deadlift and then you go eat! She was right and as the lifting began so did the fun. One of my favorite memories was watching a fellow Master's Women who had come to her first Nationals Competition with her teenage daughter as her helper. When that women finally made a legal squat on her third attempt it was hard to tell who was prouder, Mother or Daughter. I doubt either of them will forget that moment of pride and satisfaction and I don't think I will either.
Last weekend I went to my second Women's Nationals and this time I was more prepared and a lot more nervous. This is still way outside my comfort zone, I still have to go through the rules in my head before I lift and making depth on the squat is by no means a given. There were less surprises and many more amazement associated with this trip. I spent more time absorbing the entire event instead of focusing on my panic attack. There were teenage girls, seasoned competitors of all ages, and yes, novice lifters, all lifting because of one common thread; they love Powerlifting. All these women took a chance either on this day or some day previously and took that step outside their small pool and jumped into this much bigger lake. It was wonderful to see and feel the excitement and satisfaction that all the competitors had in just being there and trying their best. What sticks in my mind most about this trip to Nationals was that every woman who got up on that platform was cheered and encouraged by name from the audience. You could not tell by the crowd response who was a World Champion and who was a forty-something lady from Idaho. Although I literally sweated through three pairs of clothes (my mode of panic) Saturday morning before my weight class began, I would and will do it again to feel the joy of accomplishment and satisfaction that can only be felt when you really put it all out there and take a chance.
Women's Nationals 2007 is already on my calendar and I know I will be nervous, I will have at least one panic attack prior to and probably during the competition, I will drive my Husband crazy with my diet, but I will have the time of my life and feel like a queen for at least one day. To all of you wondering if you are good enough, tuff enough, experienced enough, anything enough to go to Nationals, forget all of that and just ask yourself why would you want to miss out on such a wonderful, gratifying experience. You really have nothing to loose and oh so much to gain.
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