Weight Lifting Competition -- North Bay Norsemen

On Saturday March 5, Sharon and I enjoyed watching John participate in his first weight lifting competition.  This is not a typical adventure I would write about, but it involved the family, it was fun, and it was tool cool on a lot of levels.  I'll touch on some of levels here.

Larry Sheppard runs the Norsemen Weight Lifting Club in North Bay.  Larry helped me with some students about 10 years ago.  I will never forget his contribution and I am forever in his debt.  I was elated when I heard that John had joined the club.  John's coach is Matt Blanchard.

One thing I like about weight lifting is it is 99.5 percent training, .5 percent competition; it's about training and discipline.  There are no losers.  Everyone pushes themselves to their limit and if you go there and fail--everyone celebrates.  Too cool of a metaphor for life.  I could go on--but I'll save my thoughts on that for another forum.

This local competiton was a smooth operation.  Some of the video highlights Larry's unique way of speaking to athletes, and parents.  He has rapport with everyone.

John was understandably nervous about his first competition.  But his training paid off.

He competed in two competitions: the clean and jerk, and the snatch.

 This event was publicized with possible awards ranging from golf-claps to maybe a handshake and hug from Larry Sheppard.  It was nice to see John win a special award.

Weight lifting is a life-long activity;  it helps with all sports and leads to a healthy and active lifestyle.  I'm looking forward to John's next competition.