I thought I would start a journal regarding our trip to the WPC Raw World Championships in Idaho on September 3-5th.
This will be of interest for Max to look back on in years to come, as well as be entertaining for some of you guys.
I'll start at the beginning.
Max decided to have a crack at PL after hurting his back training for OL. He was at a National Level standard for OL whilst training in the garage, and Armando, an ex OL who lifted internationally for Australia, took him under his wing as started training him. After hurting his back in January 2010, he took a break for a while, then slowly started training again.
In March, he started training exclusively for PL. We planned to lift at the Vic State Titles in May. We saw that NSW was having its titles in April in Albury, so we drove up to get him some experience. He did okay and set NR in the 17yo 75kg class. He totaled 467.5kg @ 72kg.
In May at the Vics he totaled 487.5kg @ 74kg in the 18-19yo class.
I contacted Amy Jackson who is the WPC rep for the Raws and expressed interest in coming over to compete. The National titles were being held 14 days AFTER the cut off for entry. CAPO never planned for the Raw Worlds, just the equipped. They are 3 months AFTER our Nats, the way it should be, and this has caused us plenty of headaches.
Now I had a problem in that it was going to cost us around $6000 for the trip. I started fund raising and everyone has been so generous it has actually embarrased me.
I originally got quotes for the flights at $1600 each. We hadnt raised the money, so I couldnt book them, not knowing this was a big mistake at the time. I had no passports either.
We decided to wait for the Nats, to ensure Max didnt get injured, and on Monday after the Nats, I got the ball rolling. He totaled 500kg @ 78kg so he's progressing good, everything was set.
First problem. The guy doing the passports said we should pay the premium price to ensure we got our passports on time. This made them $570 total. I was shocked. Got a quote for the flights, was over $4000 Melbourne to LA to Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls, for the both of us.
Now were screwed, I dont have enough money. Nina and I had saved an extra $1000 that I had to use to buy a computer and fix something on our people mover 2 weeks ago, it was essential.
We have $3000 left after the passports and entry fee. We need to book flights, accomodation.
Then I decide we'll drive from LA. Its a 14 hour drive, car hire is just over $300 for the week. Flights are now only $3030. Those flights advertised at $950 to LA sell out months before, and the price goes up as the departure date gets closer. Something I was unaware of.
Regardless, we didnt have the money back then anyway.
I've just come back from the travel agent. Passports are paid for, flights are paid for.
We dont have a cent, we need to book a car and motel rooms.
We leave on Monday the 30th of August and arrive back on Thursday the 9th o September.
Money issues aside, everything is going well. Max is getting heavier everyday. We are all healthy, and were going over regardless, even if we have to sleep in the car.
Now, Max's training. We really are unsure if there is a best way to train, we actually only have 2 weeks for training from the Nats.
On Monday Max squatted.
165kg x 1 x 5 sets
Assorted squats from different pin heights, with a pause on the pins
110kg x 10 x 4 sets
Tonight is bench press, I'll post up what we did later on.
We are planning to catch a workout at Golds in Venice when we get there on Monday night, then leave first thing in the morning for the 14 hour drive, which takes us through Las Vegas and Salt Lake City in Utah. Its a 24 hour weigh in, so we have to be in Idaho Falls by Thursday evening, as Max is lifting on Friday evening. Presentation is on Sunday, so we'll head off on Tuesday.
Apparently there is a gold, silver and bronze medal awarded, they need a flag and recording of the Anthem.
Thats it for now, and if you guys see 2 guys robbing a bank in the states wearing PTC hoodies, dont say anything lol
No seriously, dont say anything.
This will be of interest for Max to look back on in years to come, as well as be entertaining for some of you guys.
I'll start at the beginning.
Max decided to have a crack at PL after hurting his back training for OL. He was at a National Level standard for OL whilst training in the garage, and Armando, an ex OL who lifted internationally for Australia, took him under his wing as started training him. After hurting his back in January 2010, he took a break for a while, then slowly started training again.
In March, he started training exclusively for PL. We planned to lift at the Vic State Titles in May. We saw that NSW was having its titles in April in Albury, so we drove up to get him some experience. He did okay and set NR in the 17yo 75kg class. He totaled 467.5kg @ 72kg.
In May at the Vics he totaled 487.5kg @ 74kg in the 18-19yo class.
I contacted Amy Jackson who is the WPC rep for the Raws and expressed interest in coming over to compete. The National titles were being held 14 days AFTER the cut off for entry. CAPO never planned for the Raw Worlds, just the equipped. They are 3 months AFTER our Nats, the way it should be, and this has caused us plenty of headaches.
Now I had a problem in that it was going to cost us around $6000 for the trip. I started fund raising and everyone has been so generous it has actually embarrased me.
I originally got quotes for the flights at $1600 each. We hadnt raised the money, so I couldnt book them, not knowing this was a big mistake at the time. I had no passports either.
We decided to wait for the Nats, to ensure Max didnt get injured, and on Monday after the Nats, I got the ball rolling. He totaled 500kg @ 78kg so he's progressing good, everything was set.
First problem. The guy doing the passports said we should pay the premium price to ensure we got our passports on time. This made them $570 total. I was shocked. Got a quote for the flights, was over $4000 Melbourne to LA to Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls, for the both of us.
Now were screwed, I dont have enough money. Nina and I had saved an extra $1000 that I had to use to buy a computer and fix something on our people mover 2 weeks ago, it was essential.
We have $3000 left after the passports and entry fee. We need to book flights, accomodation.
Then I decide we'll drive from LA. Its a 14 hour drive, car hire is just over $300 for the week. Flights are now only $3030. Those flights advertised at $950 to LA sell out months before, and the price goes up as the departure date gets closer. Something I was unaware of.
Regardless, we didnt have the money back then anyway.
I've just come back from the travel agent. Passports are paid for, flights are paid for.
We dont have a cent, we need to book a car and motel rooms.
We leave on Monday the 30th of August and arrive back on Thursday the 9th o September.
Money issues aside, everything is going well. Max is getting heavier everyday. We are all healthy, and were going over regardless, even if we have to sleep in the car.
Now, Max's training. We really are unsure if there is a best way to train, we actually only have 2 weeks for training from the Nats.
On Monday Max squatted.
165kg x 1 x 5 sets
Assorted squats from different pin heights, with a pause on the pins
110kg x 10 x 4 sets
Tonight is bench press, I'll post up what we did later on.
We are planning to catch a workout at Golds in Venice when we get there on Monday night, then leave first thing in the morning for the 14 hour drive, which takes us through Las Vegas and Salt Lake City in Utah. Its a 24 hour weigh in, so we have to be in Idaho Falls by Thursday evening, as Max is lifting on Friday evening. Presentation is on Sunday, so we'll head off on Tuesday.
Apparently there is a gold, silver and bronze medal awarded, they need a flag and recording of the Anthem.
Thats it for now, and if you guys see 2 guys robbing a bank in the states wearing PTC hoodies, dont say anything lol
No seriously, dont say anything.