|
|
|
|
2004 NATIONAL BENCH PRESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
RESULTS: BENCH: 286lbs. 2ND PLACE 132lb WEIGHT CLASS MEET DESCRIPTION: Life had dramatically changed by the time the 2004 Bench Press Nationals had rolled around. The adoption of Jennifer’s first child had been finalized and the new baby was at home. Tucker, Jennifer’s first child, was adopted from Russia at about 8 months old. Not only had home life changed a lot, but adoption is a long time consuming process. The adoption process consisted of months of paperwork and social work visits. Followed by two long trips to Russia about a month apart. Then suddenly there is a brand new child in your house. A child from an orphanage needs a lot of time and attention to catch up on their nutrition and physical skills. This all took place in the months leading up to the Nationals. This led to some difficult months of training. Some of the training sessions were done in hotel rooms in Russia, doing push-ups and sit-ups. Once at home, training consisted of alternating holding the new baby and doing sets. Needless to say Jen was not at her peak fitness level, but having the new child made it worth it. Everyone wanted to meet the new boy so the decision was made to bring him along. So off the new mom went to Nationals with, almost 10-month-old, Tucker in tow. Complete with all the diaper bags, bottles, and stroller. The travel was easy, Tucker was used to travel after his trip back from Russia and others to see his new Grandparents. The good thing about power lifters is that they are great people and friends. There were plenty of sitters and people to play with Jen’s new baby boy. This was good because she was going to need her full concentration for the competition at hand. Jennifer Robertson, who was 2nd at the 2003 Worlds, had made some great strides. This combined with limited training was going to make for a very competitive Nationals. Weigh-ins went fine and taking care of Tucker leading up to the competition had helped to keep the nerves in check. Leaving Tucker with friends was tough, but it was now time to get to the business at hand. Jen choose to open light at 287lbs and locked it out easy. It was turned down 2 to 1 for technical reasons. With Robertson getting 292lbs on her opener, Jen was in trouble early. Jen repeated her opener of 287 and this time it was a good lift. Robertson went to 303lbs and locked it out for a good lift. With Jen being lighter the decision was made to just equal the 303 and win on bodyweight. Jen had done this in training but said that he was struggling with her left arm strength. She took the 303 down without any difficulty, but on the way up her left arm lagged behind and it was a no lift. When she came off the platform knowing that she was second she was extremely disappointed. She just felt that she didn’t give it her best effort and couldn’t understand where her strength had gone. With Jen needing to get drug tested, I went to find Tucker. He was having a blast with all his new powerlifting friends. He was laughing and playing and carrying on with them. I think with all the attention and distractions he forgot that he couldn’t walk yet. I was holding his hands and he just let go and took off walking for his new buddies. Jen showed up soon after that, from doping control, very upset that she had just been beaten. She took one look at Tucker taking his first steps and everything was finally back in perspective. It was just a bad lift, and she had a new son and a bunch of fantastic friends and family that loved her, no matter how she had done. The after party was a little different as well, it consisted of laughing and playing with a 10 month old who was so excited that he could finally walk by himself. Once again, enough thanks cannot be given to all the great friends Jen has made in powerlifting, as well as the continued support on Jen’s sponsors. |
|
Special Thanks to Richard Weed and Carol Latta Chromosome Donors
|
