I am posting this video today for very good reason. Yes this is the first time I have picked up 165lbs for more than one rep but that is not why I am posting it. Three years ago I was able to pick up 165 for a single rep, but things happened and around that time I stopped barbell training in the same way. Recently I have picked it back up because I realized that I needed a better strength base for kettlebell sport. I am working with an excellent strength coach, Rob Ventre, with the goal of increasing my basic barbell lifts during a six week period before going back to full kettlebell sport training in mid March. So far so good. In just a couple months I have already surpassed any personal records I had from before and my technique is much better than it once was.
Now why am I posting this do you ask?
Because I am weak. I am not strong. I thought I was but I was very wrong. What I am is a technically sound and well conditioned kettlebell sport athlete who moves very efficiently. My efficient technique has helped me receive many accolades in kettlebell sport but that efficient technique began to fail me as I transitioned to lifting the 20kg kettlebell last winter. I aim to put up impressive numbers for a 115lb female with the 20kg kettlebell and then I intend to transition to competing with the 24kg kettlebell. Yes 24kg is approximately 53lbs. Yes I weight just under 53kg. My entire body weighs just under 53kg and yes I will be lifting a 24kg kettlebell for 10 minutes straight.
And I will need to be STRONG to accomplish that. I am humbled by my current training protocol and humbled to be considered a fitness 'expert', whatever that means. I am a weak human who intends to get stronger and I am a healthy person who once had a chronic illness. These are the things that I know. I also know that there will be many more road blocks to come between here and my goals, but I am ready to take them on. And yes, I am grateful I picked up 165lbs three times in a row.
