News & Updates

Lauren Plumey’s Reflections on the Beast of the East

After not qualifying at Regionals this year, my CrossFit ego took a little bruising.  Yes, there was the thruster event that left me lagging behind the other athletes, but I still couldn’t help but wonder if I still had the fighting spirit that I once counted on to get me through CrossFit competitions.  I’ve never been the fastest athlete, the strongest, or the most technically sound, but it was this mental fortitude that got me to the Games two years in a row, and won other smaller competitions.  In the months following the Regionals, I began to doubt that this spirit could be mustered up ever again.

When Merle asked me to compete in the Beast of the East, I honestly didn’t want to do it, but figured that 5 months post-Regionals would be ample time for me to step back in the ring.  I was intrigued and fascinated with the fact that these workouts were to be more classic CrossFit/”who has the most work capacity” WODs, as compared to anything technical, such as walking on one’s hands or ring muscle-ups, etc…

WOD 1-5k.  I wasn’t thrilled about this event, but I’m used to coming up from behind.  I’m not sure that I’d know how to compete without this positioning at the start of a competition!  I’m not fast, but I’m not slow.  I was happy to set a 5k PR this day.

WOD 2- Max clean and jerk-not my favorite lift; the jerk that is…As soon as I stepped in the arena (a.k.a. a manure-scented barn), I experienced that jolt of adrenaline that only the heavy lifting component of a CrossFit competition can create.  That same jolt that is responsible for PR setting at CrossFit competitions worldwide.  While I didn’t set a PR on this day, I jerked a weight that I have been unable to move in about two years.

WOD 3-Max deads in 2 minutes~I love it! I injured my back at a small competition a month prior, but it felt good today, and love the idea that the person who wins, does so because they have the HEART to not allow their hands to slip off of that knurling~pure heart….I love it.

WOD 4-One Rep max Turkish get-up-WTF??  That literally was the first thing that went through my head when this WOD was posted.  I had never done a TGU with a barbell and knew that it would be a challenge.  However, on game day, I knew I had to stay consistent with this lift or I would drop off of the board, and it was too late in the game for this to occur.  Prior to this day, 75 was the most weight that I was able to push up at the gym (barely).  On competition day, I got 85 lbs up.  It is amazing how much energy one of those bad boys can suck out of your body!  I was pleased with the outcome of this event.

WOD 5-Overhead squats, burpees, and rowing~right in my wheelhouse.  However, there is always more pressure when an event is in your wheelhouse.  People expect so much more and there is no hiding behind excuse if you don’t perform in the manner to which you aspire.  This workout was a burner (QUADS)!  I was 100% gassed when it was over and pleased with my ranking.

AND THEN THERE WAS THE FINAL EVENT….

A strongman medley with full cleans intermingled.  I wasn’t two minutes into this workout, when my back began to scream for mercy.  I mean scream…bitch in way that it NEVER has at me during a WOD.  I’m not sure if it was pressure from the yoke, poor form on the stones, a forward inclination driving out of my squat, fatigue from the deadlifts the previous day….I don’t know, but it paralyzed me.  I moved that yoke across an arena floor that felt the distance of six football fields, dropping it every five feet.   Each clean wrenched my lower back into excruciating pain (and caused me to “christen” the floor a bit~if you were there, you know what I mean).  Then, Merle came out to ask if I wanted to quit.  Suddenly, something clicked.  That same “click” that went off in numerous competitions in the past.  That same “click” that I thought I had lost before entering the BOE.  Once this happened, there was no question in my mind as to whether or not I was finishing.  When I approached the final set of cleans, I saw that one other athlete was left performing this brutal workout.  Knowing that there was a chance that she could beat me, ignited me into fighter mode.

Before I knew it, the WOD was over.  My back wasn’t broken.  I wasn’t paralyzed, and I took third on podium.

First would’ve been better, but I was given something more valuable than two thousand dollars and a spot on the highest step of that podium this day….I realized that I still have it.  My cleans may not look the best, my Turkish get-up may not be the strongest, and I sure as hell need work with putting a yoke on my back and moving it, but I got my fighter spirit back.

2011 Beast of the East Olympic Weightlifting results.

            Team Connecticut,  and the New England Weightlifting Committee,  http://www.newenglandlwc.com/wp/,  were proud to present the first annualUSA Weightlifting sanctioned Beast of the East Open Olympic Weightlifting Championships at the 2011 Beast of the East Crossfit Games. With an excellent turnout of 49 lifters, young and old, novice to international caliber, this meet was an excellent representation of Olympic style weightlifting inNew England!

See all results, including entire meet video at: www.connecticutweightlifting.com

            The women’s session began at 10 am Saturday, with 8 year old Gwen Rojas making 4 of her six attempts with excellent style. Gwen weighed just 36.7 kg (80.7 lbs), and snatched 22k (48.5) and clean and jerked 25k (55). Gwen’s mom, Gwen Sisto, won the Women’s Best lifter award with lifts of 78kg (171.6lbs) snatch, and 87 kg (191.4) clean and jerk, weighing just 62.8 k (137 lbs). Alison James showed flawless style weighing just 49.6 kg (109.1 lbs), snatching 56k (123.2) and jerking 72k (158.2 lbs!).

            World ranked crossfitter Jenny Davis of Crossfit Performance in Fairfieldqualified for USAW Senior National Championships in her first Oly competition, with powerful lifts of 63kg (138) snatch and 88 kg (193.6) clean and jerk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPhto_jeGjc&feature=related

            Heavyweight Carly Mauch , weighing 80.8k (177.6)  hit a nice 103k (226.6) clean and jerk for the highest Women’s lift of the day.

            Our competitions include Masters Divisions for lifters 35 years of age and over. The Women’s Masters award was won by 42 year old Stephanie Baker of Robinson weightlifting in Bridgewater Mass. Weighing 57k (125.4), Stephanie snatched  49k (107.8lbs),and jerked 58k (127.8). The Men’s award was claimed by 46 year old TeamConnecticut’s Paul Garasimowich. Weighing 91.5k (201.5lbs) , Paul snatched 85 k (187.6 lbs) and jerked 110 k (242).

            The lighter 4 of the 8 Men’s classes followed. A battle in the 69 kg (152lb) class had Brian Swedrock of East Coast Gold leading by 2 kg in the snatch with 92 kg (202.4), but Dave Almeida came storming back in the clean and jerk with 122k (268.4) to Brian’s 120k to tie in total. In case of a tie, the win goes to the lighter lifter, Dave Almeida, who weighed .3 kg less! 

            Yony Andica was Men’s Best Lifter of the day with some absolutely phenomenal lifting. Making just his first snatch with 130 kg, Yony stormed back to go 3 for 3 in the clean and jerk, ending with 180 kg – 396 pounds! This lift is just 10 kg under the American Record! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHc2z5cfxn0&feature=mh_lolz&list=HL1319201443

            On Sunday, the 4 heavier Men’s classes, 185kg (187) and up saw Peter Madow, weighing just 187lbs, do a lifetime best clean and jerk of 164kg (360.8). National medalist, 2011 Crossfit Relentless Open Best Lifter, and Day 2’s Best Lifter Yasha Kahn easily won the 105kg class with fine lifts of 148k (326) and 176k (376.2)  attempting a 183k ( 402.6)  clean and jerk that just wouldn’t go.

            Thanks to all at Crossfit Relentless for inviting us to this fine competition. The energy in the room was amazing! Congratulations to all the competitors for their fine efforts, and thanks to all the spectators for their support. We are proud to be a part of this great display of physical fitness and strength.

            Our next meet is November 20 at TrinityCollegein Hartford. This is an excellent chance to sharpen your Oly lifts and give a competition a try! Spectator admission is free. Lifters entry form is at www.connecticutweightlifting.com. Entry Deadline is Nov 7 so enter soon, and please feel free to contact me at garyv@optonline.net with any questions about the competitions or to try a private or small group session here at TeamConnecticut inWilton.

Sincerely,

Gary Valentine, M.A., CSCS*D

Head Coach, TeamConnecticut

Meet Director, 2011 Beast of the East Olympic Weightlifting Championships.