Post by ted butler on Feb 24, 2007 12:24:51 GMT -5
I've had a lot of great meets in my career but one that really stands out was on October, 19, 1991. On this particular weekend I drove 400 miles from my home to Blytheville, Arkansas and participated in the Big River Classic. It's the only meet I've ever attended in the state of Arkansas. I dont know why I've never been back because they put on an outstanding meet and the powerlifters were some of the friendliest I've ever met. At the time of the meet I was in the 181 lb. 40-45 yr. division. When I first arrived a couple of lifters approached me and asked what division I was in and it turned out they were both in my division. One of them asked me what I planned to total and I replied that I planned on between 1300-1350. One of them then stated ,"Who in the world are you"! Back then I was opening fairly heavy for a drug free 181 (460lb.), but my warm up didn't feel exactly right, so I backed down to 450 lbs. When I went out for my opener I noticed they had no back spotter, which kind of bothered me, but I didn't ask for one. As I made my first step backwards I whiplashed a little and I knew then I was going down. The biggest mistake I made was I tried to hold on to the bar probably a split second to long. I remember seeing my shoes being straight up above my head. I was somewhat lucky, I was told, because I fell with my neck hitting the bar instead of my head. I was knocked unconscious for a short period of time. The first thing I remember is Darryl Johnson kneeling beside me and he told me to lie still that EMT' s were on the way. At the time I didn't argue because I couldn't move. The first thing that occurred to me was that I would not be able to powerlift anymore. As I lay there a couple of minutes I began to regain feeling in my hands and feet, I was finally able to stand. The EMT arrived and it was determined that I was O. K. I walked back into the warm up room. I did a 405 rep. just to re-assure myself. When I went out for my second attempt I sat down in the hole and stayed there. I went back to the warm up room to have a pity party. A powerlifter that did good to fit thru the door, width and height, walked in and told me his name was Connie and I was going to squat the weight or he was going to kick me all over the gym. I took him serious. As I approached the bar for my third I knew I had it because Connie was behind me. Third attempt no trouble. Connie told me that he was an Arkansas Deputy Sheriff. That was the only time I ever saw Connie. I had a terrible day with the bench, but was confident with my deadlift. When the deadlift started I was around 40 pounds out of first and I believe around 10 pounds out of second. The other two lifters had a best of low 400's after their three attempts. I opened with low 500's and won the meet on my opener. I didn't make the 1300, but made a bad day into a good one. I thought at one time I was going to bomb after driving 400 miles, paying for the meet and paying a motel room. Connie and several other Arkansas lifters give me a very good gut check. I'm greatful to this day.