[Contest Report] Eighth Annual Vis Vires Strongman Competition

[El Exorcisto]

Two years ago today I went and watched this contest, having just started training a few months earlier. That day I decided I wanted to be a strongman. I wanted to compete last year but it didn't work out with the powerlifting meet that I had planned in August and ended up not attending due to an injury. This year that wasn't an option. This was my second contest but this one was unsanctioned. The last two years it has been a rep fest. The promoter apparently decided to change his ways. Today was no rep fest.

 

I didn't do any specific training for this contest. I've been running 5/3/1 for a couple months just aiming to get a better base to build from for my next sanctioned contest next April. I played with my axle a couple times and did terribly, still haven't got my stones to my new house, and my Zercher yoke has been sitting disassembled for a long time. I didn't have real high hopes going in but it's a great contest about 15 minutes from my house. Anyway, onto the report.

 

Event one: Kubota 4x4 pull, hand over hand. This was my favorite event of the day and a complete wild card as to carry over from my training. Simple enough, grab a rope and pull a 4x4 75'. It started on a slight downhill grade that we had to pull it through and then it was fairly flat ground. I didn't even pay attention to my time but it felt fairly fast once I broke it free. After this my hands hurt really fucking bad and my grip was shot. The perfect event going into...

 

Event two: log frame deadlift for reps. The first time I saw this two years ago the winner took it with 60 reps. Last year apparently they took it with 40ish. This year they decided to use a big fucking slab of granite across the logs and bring it way up close to the handles. I was the only lightweight not to zero on it and I only got one rep. I got a second but I lost my grip and dropped it, so no rep. The strong guys there were guessing it somewhere between 475 and 500 pounds of real weight. It sure felt like it.

 

Event three: heavy object medley, no drops. The implements for this were a giant 185 pound dumbbell, 205 pound milk can, 250 pound keg, and 275 pound 8' beam. I had no problem with the DB but when I lapped and pulled the milk can for a higher carry the unbalanced weight rolled forward and I couldn't recover it. I finished last on this event due to a stupid fuck up. No one finished in the 90 second limit.

 

Event four: 190 pound axle press for reps. I fucked around with my axle a few weeks ago and couldn't even continental 160. I figured this was going to be a zero for the day and I just got right with that. I walked up to the axle, cleaned it, and jerked it overhead like it was my job for a 10 pound PR. I tried for another couple but couldn't get them up. I was the only lightweight to press it out. Fuck yea!

 

Event five: 200 pound Hussafel stone/tire flip: I fucked around getting the stone up and wasted a lot of time. Once I got comfy it was fine but I only got the tire back about 2/3 before time was up. I came in third in my weight class.

 

Event six: Conan's Wheel. I couldn't even pick it. Zero. Fail.

 

Event seven: Hercules hold. I held for 1:18 and took third in my weight class. The winner held on for 2:25. My hands were completely torched after this. I held so tight the knurl from the handles was printed through my fingerprints.

 

Event eight: Atlas stones. I hit the 110 and 180 fucking FAST but the 240 wouldn't budge. My abs cramped hard and I couldn't stand it up. I need more work on stones on the regular. The load at my last contest was a weakness and so was this. I don't seem to get a lot of carry over from gym work to loading apparently.

[El Exorcisto]

At the end of the day I finished third out of four in the lightweight division. I've gotten stronger since my last contest for sure. I hurt all over, and my forearms look like I went after them with napalm and a wire brush. It was a great contest. Going into the fall and winter I need to adjust my training from straight base building to something a little more specific. My loading needs a lot of work and I can't imagine that it would do anything but help my deadlift and clean. My conditioning needs work but I'm not going to sweat that until around January when my next contest is getting closer.

 

I said it last time and I'll say it again, if you have any thoughts on wanting to get out and compete then stop being a pussy and just fucking do it. Nothing feels quite like this, the afterglow after pouring my soul out on a beautiful sunny day under a pile of iron and concrete. 

[Bullroarer Took]

Sounds like you had a great time.  Time to start building a wheel of pain in your backyard!

[El Exorcisto]

Sounds like you had a great time.  Time to start building a wheel of pain in your backyard!

 

I had a blast. I have a yoke that I can set up at roughly the same height as the Conan's wheel but I think I'm going to stick with Farmer's walks for my only moving event until snow flies. They're the biggest bang for the buck and should have carry over to my deadlift and clean.

[Rooks]

Awesome stuff as always EE. 

[matty_mcfly]

I second Rooks. You're 3rd out of 4 beats my 3rd out of 3, lol so good shit.

Fuck, all I had over you was presses and at one time bench. I'm slipping...

Great job though especially since you didn't train specifically for it. And another one in April? Gotta catch up with these too.

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[El Exorcisto]

I'm doing the Lift for Autism again next year in the 175 open. It was such an awesome show. So yea... stop being a bitch.

[matty_mcfly]

We both know that's easier said than done for me. But I would like to get at least one in next year.

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[El Exorcisto]

"Would like to" and "at least one" in one sentence... Fuck, bro. Grow a pair of balls.

[matty_mcfly]

This was supposed to be me telling your ass that you did a good job...fuckin eh

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[El Exorcisto]

[goodbye_farewell]

Well done EE

[Meteoric]

This is awesome.

 

As someone with very little knowledge of strongman, my favorite part of reading these meet reports is just seeing all the different events (and sometimes googling them to find out what a Conan's Wheel is).

[miss_marissa]

At the end of the day I finished third out of four in the lightweight division. I've gotten stronger since my last contest for sure. I hurt all over, and my forearms look like I went after them with napalm and a wire brush. It was a great contest. Going into the fall and winter I need to adjust my training from straight base building to something a little more specific. My loading needs a lot of work and I can't imagine that it would do anything but help my deadlift and clean. My conditioning needs work but I'm not going to sweat that until around January when my next contest is getting closer.

 

I said it last time and I'll say it again, if you have any thoughts on wanting to get out and compete then stop being a pussy and just fucking do it. Nothing feels quite like this, the afterglow after pouring my soul out on a beautiful sunny day under a pile of iron and concrete. 

Pun intended?

[Shortgorilla]

I am excited to see where you are in another year.

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