The River City Strongman was my first strongman comp (4th comp overall, with 3 PLing meets). I prepared for this with just my normal PLing training (mainly bench, squat, DL, rows). I didn't try out any of the events before meet day and that definitely had me nervous. It turns out that I didn't do too bad. However, not really knowing how to clean and press an axle (shoot, I don't really know how to clean a regular BB) had me up at 3am. Smile

Unlike a PLing meet I was completely unconcerned with bodyweight. I was just over 190 on my scale at home but came in around 198 on the meet scale in my clothes, after breakfast at home, and then pancakes once we got to richmond. Quite a contrast from not eating and making a dozen trips to pee before weighing in for PLing meets. As fat as I am, though, I could be in the 175 class so, who knows, I may do that next time.

First event - axle clean and press

I tried out the axle in the warm-up room using 120. It tweaked my wrists so I dug my wrist wraps out of the bag and just waited for my opener. All three of my attempts (160, 180, 200) went up real easy. I honestly didn't expect to be able to hold onto the bar with my small hands but it wasn't an issue (for the C&P). I should've done more on the 3rd attempt.

C&P pic

Second event - farmers implement DL

I was much more comfortable with this one although I had no idea what I could lift. I DL sumo and squat fairly wide so having my feet close together was a change. I opened with a conservative 500 (I've DLed 500 for 7 reps with a reg bar) and that went easy. 560 followed and was also easy. I finished up with 620 and, again, wished I'd attempted more (maybe 660).

DL pic (dang, that's a big belly)

Third event - Fat Bastard "crusher" hold

I don't know the diameter of this thing but it was large. I couldn't even pick it up with just 100 lbs on it. I guess some grip work could've allowed me to at least get it off the ground but I have a hard time believing I could be good at an event like. My hands are the same size as my 5' tall wife's.

Fourth event - sandbags to 48" platform

This was my first time lifting something like these "sandbags". I picked up a couple of them wrong (2? and 4) and they got some momentum behind them and just swung out of my hands. I had just gotten the 4th one back into my lap when time ran out. I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get the 4th one up there. This event also took a lot out of me and my legs were feeling pretty rubbery.

Sandbag load pic

Final event - yoke squat

I'd never used a yoke before and was pretty surprised at how much the thing moves around. Still, I was confident that, even with the rubbery legs, I could do well with it (I'd prepped for this event in my powerrack). The weight for the lightweights was 650. Somewhere around rep 5 or 6 (not that I can count above 3) I hit the right side of the yoke on the side of the platform thing and proceeded to hit it or nick it a bunch after that too. I should've taken the time to get the thing back in the middle after the first hit as it would've saved me time overall, I think. Nonetheless I did get 15 reps before time ran out (I think I 'lost' one along the way too). I think the other lightweights were doing ~5 reps except two 231s who got 19 and 23 reps. So, I was particularly pleased with this one.

Squat pic

Overall I had a good time and enjoyed the different kind of pressure from doing PLing meets (where I kind of know what I'm doing and have specific goals). The PLing-like events went well for me and I'm glad of that. I wish I wasn't the only 176-200 lb competitor though. I'll definitely be doing more of these comps and might even set up some cheap equipment to actually train some events. Oh, I really should have better GPP too, which I was planning on fixing even before yesterday.

Thanks to the TWR guys for putting this thing on!