SportsFest Strongman 5 write up

This was my 3rd year competing at SportsFest and it was an absolute blast.  The weather held up so we were lucky to not get any rain and even the temperature was mild compared to the horrid temperatures and humidity during the week.

Overall, there were 6 total heavyweights including myself, 1 who I competed again before and a lightweight who decided to compete in the HW division as training for nationals.

The first event i know was going to be my worst, Circus DB clean and press, 160lbs in the sand.  160 would have been a PR for me.  Sadly, I did not get a rep, 0 points for that event.  3 other people zerod out so it did not hurt me as much.

Second event was hard, 660lb tire flip for max reps in the SAND!  Being the last person to go for event event help me tremendously.  3 people tied with 4 reps so all I needed to do was hit 5 to secure the win.  I took my time and with 10 seconds left, I let go of the tire for my 5th flip and 1st place for the event.

Event number 3 was a 280lb keg carry, 40ft and back, then load onto a 48inch platform, then throw 3 empty kegs over a 12ft wall.  The carry was easy for me, hit a great time but slipped on the load, the keg was just not high enough.  I had to situate myself, load the keg, and quickly toss the 3 empty kegs.  At the end, I came in at second place with 28 seconds, funny because right before I went, I actually called it that I would hit 28 seconds.

4th event was the 275lb farmers walk 40ft, around a cone, and 40 ft back.  Managed to come in 2nd place, just off of 1st place by 1 second.

Going into the 5th and final event, the car deadlift, the standings to that point were posted.  I was in 2nd place, 5 points behind the leader and ahead of 2 people by 1 point each.  Being the last person to go, I knew I just needed to tie those 2 people to secure 2nd place.  They each got 5 reps (or 4, cant remember) and the person in 1st place got 7 reps.  I knew that this was mine.  I strapped in and busted out 8 reps in 30 seconds.  I did not even need the extra 30 seconds to secure 1st place in the car deadlift and second place overall.

I was ecstatic that I placed in second overall but then realized that I missed 1st by 4 points, if i managed to hit 1 rep of the Circus DB, that would have been 4 points and tied me for 1st place.  But overall, I was very happy with my performance.  Each time I have competed at SportsFest, I placed (3rd in 2009, 1st in 2012, 2nd in 2013).  Now I have less than 2 weeks until Oil Region's Strongest Man 5.  That will be a blast, my first year at that competition.  This time, 2nd place will not be good enough.  Its 1st or BUST!