2017 RVA Open
This was my first weightlifting meet and I'm willing to call it a success. I finished third in my age/weight bracket (earning a swanky bronze medal), I completed all six of my lifts successfully (with two new PRs), and I had a good time doing it. I will break it down [GoW-style](http://theprf.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=28492#p28492).
*Highlights*: 1. Singlet fit
2. new PRs (164kg total)
3. Solid hangs with Joe and Cy and Swolenik
4. Getting coached up
5. A bronze medal that looks like it could be on a real podium somewhere
*Lowlights*: 1. 8am session start
2. Nerves
3. Shirtless post-session cryotherapy.
To add a little color, I've been way, way overweight the last year or two. I'm mentally chalking it up to wanting mass for powerlifting, but really I just like not paying attention to what I eat and drink. I'm working to fix that now. It is def. work. I'm a big, big fan of "play", and I *loooove* playing team sports. It was cool to hang with the team in my session and I'm double-especially looking forward to training with them over the next couple of months. Getting active input from a vested coach was really great. I trust [Chris Lawyer](https://www.facebook.com/twrva/) to put me in a position to succeed. He does good work.
The negatives from the meet were minimal. Since I'm a new lifter with a relatively low projected total in my first meet, I was seeded in the first session. 8am Saturday start time means a 6-8am weigh-in window. I'm not the worst about getting up in the morning, but this was a bit much for a Saturday. Once we got to the lifting, I was more nervous than I expected. Chris was there with a "hey have a seat and lower your heartrate" (which is just one example of how an experienced coach can make a big difference at a meet), and I chilled out.
My plan, and I realize that naming the plan dooms the plan, is to get on a weightlifting track through the rest of 2017. There should be 2-3 more meets on the calendar and I'd like to get close to 200kg with my total. I think I have room to grow to that number.