Competing in my first US Strongman competition and my first one in nearly 12months was a great feeling besides the usual nerves. On Saturday 10th march I competed in the Capitol Classic Strongman Challenge just outside Washington DC. Despite having pulled my back 2 weeks prior I still was eager to get my season underway and decided to compete.

The first event was a very unstable Viking Press with the weight of the equipment plus the 290lbs added it was 300lbs plus. I was second to go on this and after the first guy couldn't rep it at all I was very unsure as Overhead Pressing can be hit and miss for me. I was very happy to press out 5 continuous but VERY difficult reps, although did expect more.

Then came the IFSA Shield Carry weighing 400lbs! Having 400lbs of steel sat on your chest attempting to breath is tough. I made a rookie mistake here attempting to move as quick as possible before my grip went. I ran out of the blocks without concentrating on my grip and made it 40 feet. When carrying that amount of weight it’s a split second from feeling fine and dropping it! One guy blacked out while another was very close, tough event.

We then moved on to the “Hummer Tire Deadlift”. 2 Weeks ago I was very confident with this but pulling my back lifting 865lbs in the gym totally knocked my confidence here. I worked up to 700lbs before failing. Disappointed but not unexpected, still beat the majority of the field though.

Frame carry was next, 700lbs 80ft. By this time many of the guys backs were getting very fatigued and grips were failing. I managed a very quick first 40ft, turned and the struggled the rest of the way-back really feeling the 700lbs pick-ups!

Atlas stones finished off the day as well as my back! It was an awesome competition with some great strong competitors in all divisions. I missed out on qualifications for the nationals this time round but knowing that one extra rep on the Viking Press, a few more feet on the Shield carry, an extra 50lbs on the Deadlift and a few more meters on the frame carry could have made all the difference. 10 weeks until my next competition in Maryland with another opportunity to qualify and achieve this year’s goal of competing in the North American Strongman National Championships!!

I am even more determined and will be posting my progress in the gym and event training over the next 10 weeks!

Thanks