Oregon Feats of Strength Recap

The event was well organized and ran by Dean Munsey and his helpers. This competition had some strong men and women. I finished towards the bottom of my weight class. A huge thanks goes out to everyone that helped make the event great. Thank you!

My main focus leading up to the comp the days before hand and the morning of was to maintain solid control of my blood sugar levels. Once the competition started I knew that I would go a bit high for a while. 

The first event was a yoke walk/sled drag medly. The yoke was 630 pounds and the sled was 470 pounds. The heaviest I have ever done on the yoke was 565. I was about five feet short when the time expired. My blood sugars raised to the mid 200s after this event. 

The second event was a log clean and press for reps with 225 pounds. I zeroed this event. I cleaned the log okay, but couldn't lock it out overhead. My blood sugar kept rising. The highest it went to was 292. I bolused and gave a bit of extra insulin. 

The third event was a farmers walk with 260 pounds per hand with 8 tire flips weighing 650 pounds. We had a minute to get this done. I thought I moved fairly well with the farmers, but struggled a bit with the tire. I flipped the tire three times. The two competitors that were battling for first finished this event around 30 seconds. That was great to watch. Blood sugars were 133 afterwards. 

Husafell carry for distance was next. The husafell weighed 320 pounds. I made it about maybe 140-150 feet. I was pleased with this. I had only done this with items weighing less than 200 pounds. Blood sugars were 142 afterwards. 

Stone over the bar with a 292 pound stone for max reps in 60 seconds was the last event. I finished with two reps. It was great to watch how easy some of the other competitors made this look. Blood sugars were 149 afterwards. 

Overall, it was a great experience. Some people asked about my pump, so I had a chance to explain type 1 diabetes a bit and my goal of bringing awareness. My friend Sean competed as a lightweight novice and did a great job. He is game for anything. Everyone that made this event possible did a great job. 

Competition

There are many reasons why I enjoy competing in athletics. Some are selfish reasons and others are for a reason greater than me. 

My goal is for some newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic to maybe stumble upon my blog and see that type 1s can do whatever they set their mind too. According to the JDRF, there are as many as 3 million type 1 diabetics in the United States. I took this quote from JDRF.org:

“Unlike other kids, I have to check my blood sugar 8 to 10 times a day; everything I eat is measured and every carbohydrate counted. My kit goes with me everywhere I go … Too much exercise or not eating all my food can be dangerous. I think I’m too young to have to worry about all this stuff.”

— Jonathan Platt, 8, California

The feeling of being diagnosed can be very scary and helpless feeling.

I struggle day to day with my disease. It seems the more I learn about it, the more difficult it seems. Things were easier when I knew less. 

Competing and training in strongman has helped me many ways that I am thankful for. I monitor my food and blood sugars much better because if I don't, my performance goes down. Athletics is my time to feel "normal". 

I have a competition tomorrow and my biggest worry is how my blood sugars will react. 

The people that have helped me prepare and very thankful for are:

My wife-no matter what she is behind me.

My family-forever support. 

Sean(Why everyone needs a Sean), will be doing the comp with me. 

Type 1 Athletes Facebook page-everyone sharing their accomplishments has been very motivating.

Kalle Beck-he has been in charge of my programming since March. 

Startingstrongman.com, Starting Strongman Facebook group-answered a ton of my questions about training. 

Tomorrow will be a success. 

BREAK DIABETES!