Newsletter Volume 3, Number 1

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Wednesday 8/8: Arrived in Washington D.C. I got off the plane headed down to luggage claim. At the elevators I found a team mate Andy and we traveled to luggage claim together. We found the US Paralympic table and got checked in. Then we went to find our luggage. Andy got his and they put it on the truck mine wasn’t on the carousel yet and so I had to wait. The other guys Rohan and Kortney were there before us and the three guys took the bus to the hotel. I waited my luggage came and then I took the next bus with one of the coaches Kim Brownfield. It turned out that his crutches never made it out of Tulsa, OK. Crazy airline people! So we arrived at the Embassy suites and the other Coach Mary Hodge was waiting to greet us. We went it and got checked into our rooms. Picked up our luggage and got settled in a little. Then it was time to have dinner. They had a nice buffet for us.

Thursday 8/9: We got up had a nice breakfast we ate as a team and got prepared for the day ahead. We then proceeded to the have a briefing on the village, security, and much more. We went to the appeal for our uniforms. We got lots of cool apparel. Then headed for photos, got a head shot and then checked in with medical to make sure everything was the same as when we sent in the physicals earlier in the year. Then got the cloths altered. – Thursday night was spent traveling our flight was delayed until Friday morning around 1:30am we were on the plane finally.

Friday 8/10: Arrived in Rio at 3pm thank goodness. After a long day of traveling, we gathered and went through security, got our luggage and then headed on buses for the Para pan American village. We got our credentials badges that we wear so we can get in the village and in the venues. And then we were off to our new home for the next week. The Us Powerlifting team, housed on the eighth floor of the Winnipeg building in room 802. The small apartment has 3 small rooms with 2 beds in each room, 2 bathrooms, a common living area with a small table and chairs and a kitchen area with fridge and sink. We then had a briefing meeting for security and media rules, medical and so on. Afterwards we had the rest of the evening to unpack and rest.

Saturday 8/11: Had flag raising ceremony today entertainment was very cool! Today we were able to go train and see the benches get our rack heights and get ourself mentally ready for our competition. Then had dinner and looked around the international zone. Andy and I watched movies in the room and just hung out.

Sunday 8/12: Opening ceremonies, It was a long day. Lots of waiting around. But we enjoyed taking photos and met with the U.S. Ambassador from Brazil. He was very down to earth and we had our photo taken with him. Opening ceremonies were full of entertainment although the speeches were in Portuguese and I couldn’t understand a word. But they were still better opening ceremonies than some years. Later after opening ceremonies Mary and I went to look in the international zone and then had an ice cream sundae. I went to dinner with Sally from Canada. Then went in for the night to get online. Tomorrow the U.S. Powerlifters start their quest for gold. We have Rohan in the morning and Andy in the Afternoon. More to follow on results of tomorrow’s events.

Monday 8-13: Today was the first day of competition for USA powerlifters. Rohan Murphy and Andy Wise, Rohan lifted first and took 3rd in his weight class and 7th overall with a lift of 130kg. Later in the afternoon Andy lifted, unfortunately his attempts were dq’d due to technical problems. Tomorrow Mary Stack lifts.

Tuesday 8-14: Today I lifted (Mary). I felt great. I had a great night sleep and was ready to kick some butt. I was ready to medal! We went to the venue and weigh in, checked equipment. Then was introduced with the other women. I was last in line to be introduced. My main competition was Mexico. I opened at 110kg (242lbs) and put that up no problem easy pause went up straight. So we jumped to 115kg (253lbs) for my next lift. I put the weight up but paused before I got to my chest and then didn’t have enough of a pause. But because I had the weight we went up to 117.5kg (260lbs) I went in back got my self focused and ready for the 3rd lift this would give me a silver. Well I got out on the bench did everything right and everyone thought I had it including Kim and Mary. And still the refs said no lift. I was told I needed to pause it for a hair longer. I WAS ROBBED!!! Later we went to see the Jesus statue – wow what a trip that was. Most of the group was scared to look down and I was having a blast. Awesome view and cool ride up the mountain. Later we went to the mall got some gifts and I got Mary and I apple pies from Mcdonalds our international competition tradition after competition. Kortney Lifts tomorrow!

Wednesday 8/15: Kortney lifted today, went to go watch him and cheer him on. He was unsuccessful at making his lifts. He opened at 152.5. After Kortney lifted we watch the 82.5-100’s lift. There was some good heavy lifting. A guy from Mexico lifted 200kg and broke the Parapan American record. Mary Hodge, Andy, Rohan and Mary stack went to the track and watched April Holmes run the 100m and took home a silver. And watched Jill Kennedy throw the shot put.

Thursday 8/16: time to go home – chilled around the international zone. Took some last minute pictures around the village and housing area. The bus was late but we made it to the airport with time to spare with help from our transportation and airport staff we made it and were able to sit and relax for a while before being loaded. We were welcomed on the plane and the flight attendants remembered us and asked how we did. It was nice. We arrived in Washington D.C. everyone got through security with ease and then we all split. Its always kind of hard to say goodbye but we all went to our separate gates. And that makes for the end of a good meet and good trip. Two 4 places and 2 DQ’s.

When I graduated from Olivet College with a degree in Physical Education my plan was to teach high school physical education and coach varsity football. I had no knowledge or background of student/athletes with disabilities.

I began my teaching career by substitute teaching in Hazel Park, Michigan, my home district. I worked mainly in a special education environment. This was my first experience dealing with special needs students. I fell in love with it right from the start! At the end of the school year I began looking for a full time teaching position but was
unsuccessful. A friend of mine told me about a graduate assistant’s position at Western Michigan University in Adapted Physical Education. This was definitely the position I wanted. After being accepted into the program and graduating a year later, I still didn’t know there were athletic competitions based upon individuals with disabilities.

The following school year I interviewed for the Adapted Physical Education position in the Royal Oak, Michigan school district. By doing my homework before the interview I discovered the district had no athletic s teams for students with physical disabilities. During the interview I was asked if I had any questions. I inquired if there were any sports teams in Royal Oak dedicated to students with physical disabilities. If not, would the school district be opposed to starting a program. I was hired and began preparing for my first coaching experience with disabled athletes.

As a rookie coach I joined forces with the Mighty Oaks, the team from Oakland County, Michigan. We had a team of (70), including my (9) athletes. Our first competition was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan where our athletes competed in swimming, bowling, table tennis and powerlifting. It was an eye-opening experience for both my athletes and me. I could not believe the level of competition, the drive and determination displayed by all the athletes. I was hooked and wanted to participate in more competitions. We went to the Windsor Classic and the Michigan CP/LA Victory Games. Again, the level of competition blew me away. At the Michigan CP/LA Victory Games Mary Stack, one of my athletes qualified for Nationals. Later that summer, Mary and I were off to Hofstra University in New York. Once again, the level of competition was mind-boggling. After talking to different coaches and athletes at these events I learned about Paralympics sports. I knew this is where I wanted to coach. After eighteen years of taking athletes to local and national competitions in powerlifting, Mary Hodge offered me a position as an assistant coach for the United States Paralympic Powerlifting team.

My original plans for my life after graduation certainly changed and I’m glad they did. I couldn’t be in a better position.

In the 10 years that I have been coaching Powerlifting Internationally, I have seen many successful athletes. I have also seen many athletes make the same mistakes and this article is to address those mistakes.

The most common mistake is over training and /or not cycling properly. What does this mean? It means, regardless of what training program you choose, you must give your muscles rest and recuperation time prior to competition. A standard rest period is 5-7 days. During these 5-7 days you should rest physically and spend time on mental preparedness and you should not touch ANY weights. The muscles need to repair and your mind needs rest from the gym and time to focus on the competition ahead.

The second most common mistake is “first attempts set too high or low”. The trick is to get on the boards at a competition. Your first lift should be within comfortable percentage to where you want to end, usually no more than 30-45lbs. less than your planned last lift. You want to execute it clean and when you get off the bench feel like it was an easy, clean attempt….you should have no doubt that you will hear from the announcer ”Good Lift”. If you start too low, you will run out of gas by your third attempt. A good rule of thumb is 20 lbs. between lift 1 & 2, 10-15 lbs. between lift 2-3.

The third most common mistake is not being prepared in the warm- up room. Since most athletes do not travel with coaches, you must do the conversion for all weights from pounds to kilo’s (as the World uses kilos and in the US we use pounds). NEVER come to a competition without your conversion chart and your warm-up routine thought out and converted…….you don’t know who the spotters are and often they don’t know how to do the conversions…..you could hurt yourself before you get to the competition bench if you are not prepared.

Along with preparation in the warm up room, is preparation for weigh-in and equipment check. DO NOT come with a dirty 100% cotton t-shirt, referees will not approve it. DO NOT come without a singlet, it MUST have only 20% Lycra, anything more is not acceptable. DO NOT use a lifting t-shirt at competition, this is not acceptable…. Check the IPC rules www.paralympic.org for restrictions of wrist straps and weight belts. Finally, you should be at the low end of your body weight class. If you are not, you could be in medal contention and lose the medal based on your body weight, see IPC rules for more explanation. Come prepared with your rack height ( done on competition bench before competition) and your first attempt IN KILO’S.

Finally, come prepared to accept criticism from coaches. To be a good lifter takes practice, to be a great lifter takes practice, fortitude and a strong sense of self. If you can’t take the criticism, you’re in the wrong sport! You must be able to take the tweaking and adjustments to win…we know what you want and we are prepared to help you so get in the gym and train hard…….see you in Nationals at UCO June 5-8th!

If you have questions or topics you would like addressed in the next newsletter, please contact Mary C. Hodge ASAP.

If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail: Mary or Michael. The next newsletter will be sent out in approximately August, 2008. Please submit any requests by July 1, 2008. If you have questions or topics you would like addressed in the newsletter, please Click HERE!