Stones of Strength

A few months ago, I was awarded an incredible opportunity: an entry to compete in the IHGF Stones of Strength world championship this June, in Norway. What is this Stones thing? Think a combo of Strongman and Highland Games... all things Stones: lifting, loading, carrying, and throwing!

Current title holder, Casey Garrison, asked if I would trust him to coach me into this competition. He is pretty much responsible for getting my invitation, so after discussing with my coach, decided it was a good idea. 

Initially I was thrilled to get started training: atlas stones are definitely my favorite Strongman event, I was a thrower in high school and, well, I just really like the idea of picking up boulders HAHA Now I’ll be honest. I was not happy with the program Casey & Nyck gave me for the first 5 weeks. I was bored and missed Strongman (events/equipment). You see, I’ve never had any sort of desire to be a powerlifter, but the start of my programming with them was foundational static strength... and I was bored; nevertheless, I understood their WHY and followed the program (adding in occasional CrossFit WODs and my last minute decision to go compete in Connecticut). They say the things you like the least are often what you need to train the most...

Last weekend, I flew out to California to train with Casey and Nyck (as was planned from day 1). My three days of training at House of Power were pretty awesome. Anyone who trains Strongman and Highland Games knows that most athletes take every-other day off (these sports are extremely taxing on the central nervous system), but I didn’t want to waste any of my limited time with these guys--we set a plan for me to train different events/focus each day I was there [video highlights are hyperlinked]

THURSDAY: Banded axel push press, floor press, pin press sit ups, weighted negatives & chin ups, chest supported row, dumbbell pull overs, bicep curl, banded tricep press down 

FRIDAY: Dynamic warm up, slam ball overhead (mimic weight over bar), Atlas Stones over bar up to 300, AMRAP 240

SATURDAY: Natural stone clean & overhead press, stone put, stone carry medley

All of that event training got me SO hyped for Norway! For these next few weeks, I have co-written my program with the guys and, all my health issues aside, I’m feeling GOOD! I have 3 lifting weekdays, 1 prehab day, and 1 events day each week...

BIG THANKS to Casey & Nyck for putting up w my crazy, being great coaches and motivators, getting me connected w the nurse for blood tests, making me feel like my health and success are your priorities too...and did I say thanks for putting up with my crazy??? 💋💋

Make sure you’re following my training via IG & follow my blog to stay up to date with all things Ace 💪🏼

Post-competition Blues

I stopped updating this blog a few years ago... I never really had the audience and it just took a backseat to the quick posts I could get out via Instagram. 

Recently, I was encouraged to get more content out there. While I’m working on starting my YouTube channel, I figured getting some blogs written would be a great place to start.

I’ve been competing in Strongman for almost a year now and I’ve noticed that after each competition, no matter how I perform, I seem to get the blues. I am lethargic and my depression really seems more prominent than it "usually" is. I was doing some research and I found a few studies of high level athletes (Olympian) who reported similar feelings. When you have an intense high and the adrenaline + dopamine overload of a competition, returning to "normal" neurotransmitter levels can feel like depression; moreover, for somebody who already battles depression, that contrast can feel even more extreme!

So how do we overcome this? Many athletes seem to distract themselves with the next competition on the calendar. While I don’t consider this to be unhealthy, I’m curious what other coping strategies people use!

It may sound weird, but I find tanning can help. If the weather outside doesn’t allow for me to soak up some Vitamin D (boosts serotonin), then I will use a low-level tanning bed to help get those feel-good chemicals going in my brain. Additionally, I get a massage, my nails done... maybe a facial #teatYOself 😁 A little extra self-care goes a long way in pulling me out of the funk. Then setting up my plan for what’s next... always having new goals to set and chase--that’s my game plan!

If you have a post-competition routine, I’d love to hear about it! Comment below.

Reference: Florio, J. "The Dark Side of Going for Gold." TheAtlantic.com . 18 Aug. 2016.