Next Up....1st Annual Mid-Michigan Kettlebell Sport Championship

After a disappointing performance at the 2013 IKSFA NY Open Kettlebell Sport Championships, I'm eager to get back on the platform to redeem myself.  1st Annual Mid-Michigan Kettlebell Sport Championship...here I come!  Proudly hosted by Kettlebell Hot Spot, this event will mark the culmination of my recovery from a debilitating illness.

Kettlebell Hot Spot is a privately owned kettlebell training facility based in Spring Arbor, MI that specializes in Group Fitness Training, Kettlebell Sport Training, Jr. Athletic Training and Kettlebell High Energy Athletic Training (H.E.A.T.).  The competition will also mark the Grand Opening of the 1st American IKSFA International Kettlebell Sport Fitness Facility located at Kettlebell Hot Spot.

Big thanks go to Rhonda Glick, owner/founder of Kettlebell Hot Spot Athletic Training and IKSFA Representative in Michigan for her contributions to the promotion of Kettlebell Sport in the United States.

I look forward to seeing my KB Sport friends there!

RECAP: 2013 IKSFA New York Open Kettlebell Sport Championships

Big thanks go out to Vadim Noskov and Long Island City Crossfit for hosting an awesome event last weekend. Vadim and IKSFA ran an incredibly efficient and professional event. I had a great time seeing old friends and making new ones. Can't wait to go back next year. It was also an honor for me to share a flight with legendary GS Coach Sergey Rudnev.

For weeks prior to this event, I saw my snatch results on a steady decline. My control test set 2-weeks out was an epic disaster that resulted in 80, weak reps in 6mins. After a doctor appointment and a week's regimen of antibiotics I slowly started getting my strength back. Unfortunately not ALL the way back. I managed 112 reps in 8mins 20secs. While I'm encouraged by this result, it's still a disappointment.  My grip stayed strong throughout. I just got exhausted. As I continue to recover from sickness and my energy returns, I expect my results to increase dramatically.  For now, I'm enjoying a relaxing Stage 5 of my training program.

Check out pics from the event here and here.

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NEVER SKIP A HARD WORKOUT!

DAMN!  Only three weeks into my training program and I've already missed a "hard" workout.  "Hard" by the standards set by the IKSFA coaches who ran the Level 2 coaching seminar I attended last month.  Late this past Friday night I contracted sake-itis from a downtown Japanese BBQ spot.  This untimely affliction prevented me from completing my scheduled Stage 2 workout the following day.  But after rallying Sunday morning to run the NYRR Race For The Parks 4Miler (PR 28:47) I felt strong enough to do it on Monday.  To put in perspective, at the 2011 IKFF Nationals in Michigan, I completed 80reps in 10mins.  Monday I was able to complete 100reps in 10mins with a little left over to keep going!  Also had energy to do the circuit training and cardio that were originally assigned for that day.  Here is the lesson:  When designing a training program,  the coach MUST take into account the athlete's other responsibilities like work, family, drinking large amounts of sake, etc BUT NEVER skip a "hard" workout in favor of an easy one.  That's just irresponsible.

THE CONTINUING STORY OF YURBUDS BILL

Ever since I began long-distance running to improve my conditioning for Girevoy Sport, I've waged a personal battle with headphones.  Either the Apple earbuds supplied with my ipod are too small for my petite earholes.  Or, my alcohol infused sweat shorts them out creating a brain blasting sound that is reminiscent of a Yoko Ono album.  But my new Yurbuds Inspire earbuds seem to be working.  The patented Twist-Lock technology totally secures the earbuds in place.  Sound quality is decent.  And after a handful of sweaty workouts, NO screeching!  Only complaint is the controls mechanism.  Unnecessary ounces for a feature that I personally don't use.  But hey, they're "Developed by athletes FOR athlestes."  There's even an IRONMAN logo on there to prove it.  Give it 4 out of 5 Yoko Onos.

LOVE LETTER TO MY COACH

Before I make any further contributions to this blog, I MUST acknowledge the expert coaching I have received in Kettlebell Sport.  Lorna Kleidman is a 3-Time World Champion lifter, World Record Holder AND the FIRST woman to achieve Master of Sport International Level in 20kgs snatch.  Lorna also found time to author the book, BODY SCULPTING WITH KETTLEBELLS FOR WOMEN.

A competent coach must be able to instruct and inspire.  Lorna does both of these like a true professional.  With my limited experience with kettlebells, she was able to get me ready for the IKFF Nationals in November 2011....IN ONLY TWO MONTHS!  Lorna expertly makes adjustments to my technique without making me feel discouraged.  Most importantly, she has me motivated to keep making progress in Kettlebell Sport.  I'd be lost without her  Thanks Lorna!

Not lucky enough to live in Manhattan and want to train with 3-Time World Champion Lorna Kleidman?  No problem, she is available for online training through the IKSFA (International Kettlebell Sport and Fitness Academy) website.

THE KETTLEBELL SAGA

I'm starting a blog to document my training as I journey through the world of Girevoy Sport. Or as we call it here in The US, Kettlebell Sport. With two competitions under my belt, I've set my sights on the Long Cycle Croatia Open Championships on July 28, 2012. The goal is to complete 74 repetitions during the 10 minute event.

 Future blog posts will highlight: My invaluable coach and 3-Time World Kettlebell Champion Lorna Kleidman. The greatest kettlebell instructional organization, the International Kettlebell Sport and Fitness Academy. And my Super-Pupil Megan Densmore.

Thanks for reading.