Ragin Asian
03-09-13, 12:59 am
My Cage experience - I don't know where to start. Every year it has been great and I have always enjoyed every piece of it. I remember our first Cage lift - we were asked to step in by a very good friend who is and always will be our family. I don't know if any of you may remember him, but his name is John Bernor. He couldn't go to the Cage that year because of family issues and we stepped in his spot hoping to put on a good show. This was back when our benching was in it's prime. We gladly stepped in and were introduced to Animal. Ever since then, Animal has been our addiction. LOL!!!!
Here are old pics of our benching back then:
http://fieldsofpower.com/images/600_bob1.jpg
http://fieldsofpower.com/images/600_kat1.jpg
BTW, that was Eric Downey (EZ) handing off to us. That was our first Cage experience. We will never forget that.
Since then, Animal has been so kind to us in allowing us back to do what we love.
Bobby went on to do a double with 800 in the cage with Sam Byrd handing off to him - did the weight touch? Not until the 2nd rep. But who the fuck cares. He doubled it weighing 225 in a shirt that used to be Gene Rychlak's old training shirt that I had to tighten up for him just to do the lift. Back then, an 800lbs bench clean was record lift. So I was very proud of him for even attemtping this in the first place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XaBD7Ntlis
He also squatted and pulled that weekend with everyone. He has done so every Animal Cage since then - with everyone we had the awesome opportunity to hook up with. We couldn't have asked for better vacations to tell you the truth. Ones we will always remember and always cherish. While most folks would rather take vacations in the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and Disney World - our vacations are going to the Arnold to be with all of you. Lifting with our brethren and sisters. That's all we know, that's all we care to remember.
Just wanting to put out there a little reminder of our meager beginnings. We're not done. We may be getting older, but we're far from done. I so wished to be able to see Sgt Rock out there - he is also another veteran who I can relate to.
Bobby is a workhorse - he's like a clydesdale that doesn't know when to quit. That's where he is my rock. I have been in remission from ovarian cancer and I have been in treatment for the past 4 years for PKD type II. Luke Edwards helped me a lot in getting through initial treatments for my condition, he's a great source of passion by the way, such a nice guy and great lifter. My treatments have suppressed the progression of my condition so that I can still lift and somewhat lead a normal life. I still get kidney stones and kidney infections, but at least my kidneys have not grown much more and the cyst growth has been suppressed enough so that I can lift. It didn't help that I tore my shoulder tendons off while benching, but that's not going to stop me from hitting records in the DL.
I know Bobby got on the mic to tell everyone about my kidney condition. I had no idea he would do that. I felt almost ashamed when he did that because I was trying to pull big for my sisters. This event was for him and his brethren. I know I was a side show and I was happy with that. I wanted to give my all and whatever came of it, so be it. I was so heartbroken I didn't pull as big as I wanted for my gals. I know I have it in me, but I didn't need the pity part of it. So glad it was looked over by folks because guaranteed - they have their own lives and stories as well.
I don't know if anyone got video of my pulling - it would be greatly appreciated if someone is willing to share it. I learned that I need to beat out the whip in that bar. I have trained and competed with Texas bars before, but this bar had way more whip than what I'm accustomed to. Even though I only had a few weeks of training for the Cage, I would like to get to know my opponent. I'll train the heck out of my erectors and hammies if need be, but that bar was so different. It was great that it was thinner than what I train with, that's why the weight didn't feel heavy - but for some damned reason it kept getting stuck at my knees. From what I gather, it got stuck there for others as well when they went heavy. That just means we need to be reacquainted with that bar one way or another. :) :) :) No excuses - have to beat any barriers!!!
Ok - now that I put out the athlete perspective - now I want to thank all of the folks who were there. I just want you guys to know, that throughout the years, I have always enjoyed meeting every one of you and even though I'm bad with names (you guys know I'm bad with that), I remember faces better and you have to know that my eyes light up whenever I see your faces. After all these years, you know my love when I squeeze you with my hugs. I know it sounds weird but I lost a good part of my hearing when I was a UH60 pilot, so I have a tendency to work off of faces (eyes mainly) and how you greet me with hugs. I didn't want to insult our brethren with their seminars and really tried so hard to hear them - but I'm at a disadvantage with that and never wanted them to think I was ignoring them. I agree with all of you - the cardio bunny should have been "kick kick - booted off". LOL!!! ;)
I can't even list all the names on here of those I love so much for being there, but I'll try to start and hopefully the rest will chime in for me - Dave Barth (THE EXTREME), Big Al (first one at the airport), Eric (NG), Alex (Juggernaut [big hugs]), J-Dawg (stop hiding on me!), Aggression (still mad at me for your first hoodie going missing? lol!!!), P Diesel - aka Iggy T, aka Menonite Powerbitch, aka Dutch Superman wannabe Scotch-Irish Super BJ...hey, that's how I heard it. Can't help that part. All I know is even though his family was like Irish on the boat to the land of the free, my family on my father's side was already here fighting the fight. Gillespie's are Scotch-Irish and we already have our tartars. My father asked why I wasn't doing highland games already and I tried to tell him it's not female friendly. Looks like we're going to have to change some things. This is the neat thing about originating from several different cultures and keeping track of it.
Just so you know, I love P Diesel - he's good people and so genuine hearted. He knows pain in ways most folks have no clue. That's why we get along so well together. That's why MOST of us get along so well. True warriors are not those who just look for the next best opportunity. Do we look for opportunities to shine? YES. But we don't look for one's that make use shine. We look for those to opportunities that will get us closer to our brethren and ones that will help us learn more in our game. True warriors don't give up. True warriors don't quit. If anyone who has read Sun Tzu - they would understand the compassion I speak about.
Here are old pics of our benching back then:
http://fieldsofpower.com/images/600_bob1.jpg
http://fieldsofpower.com/images/600_kat1.jpg
BTW, that was Eric Downey (EZ) handing off to us. That was our first Cage experience. We will never forget that.
Since then, Animal has been so kind to us in allowing us back to do what we love.
Bobby went on to do a double with 800 in the cage with Sam Byrd handing off to him - did the weight touch? Not until the 2nd rep. But who the fuck cares. He doubled it weighing 225 in a shirt that used to be Gene Rychlak's old training shirt that I had to tighten up for him just to do the lift. Back then, an 800lbs bench clean was record lift. So I was very proud of him for even attemtping this in the first place.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XaBD7Ntlis
He also squatted and pulled that weekend with everyone. He has done so every Animal Cage since then - with everyone we had the awesome opportunity to hook up with. We couldn't have asked for better vacations to tell you the truth. Ones we will always remember and always cherish. While most folks would rather take vacations in the Bahamas, Costa Rica, and Disney World - our vacations are going to the Arnold to be with all of you. Lifting with our brethren and sisters. That's all we know, that's all we care to remember.
Just wanting to put out there a little reminder of our meager beginnings. We're not done. We may be getting older, but we're far from done. I so wished to be able to see Sgt Rock out there - he is also another veteran who I can relate to.
Bobby is a workhorse - he's like a clydesdale that doesn't know when to quit. That's where he is my rock. I have been in remission from ovarian cancer and I have been in treatment for the past 4 years for PKD type II. Luke Edwards helped me a lot in getting through initial treatments for my condition, he's a great source of passion by the way, such a nice guy and great lifter. My treatments have suppressed the progression of my condition so that I can still lift and somewhat lead a normal life. I still get kidney stones and kidney infections, but at least my kidneys have not grown much more and the cyst growth has been suppressed enough so that I can lift. It didn't help that I tore my shoulder tendons off while benching, but that's not going to stop me from hitting records in the DL.
I know Bobby got on the mic to tell everyone about my kidney condition. I had no idea he would do that. I felt almost ashamed when he did that because I was trying to pull big for my sisters. This event was for him and his brethren. I know I was a side show and I was happy with that. I wanted to give my all and whatever came of it, so be it. I was so heartbroken I didn't pull as big as I wanted for my gals. I know I have it in me, but I didn't need the pity part of it. So glad it was looked over by folks because guaranteed - they have their own lives and stories as well.
I don't know if anyone got video of my pulling - it would be greatly appreciated if someone is willing to share it. I learned that I need to beat out the whip in that bar. I have trained and competed with Texas bars before, but this bar had way more whip than what I'm accustomed to. Even though I only had a few weeks of training for the Cage, I would like to get to know my opponent. I'll train the heck out of my erectors and hammies if need be, but that bar was so different. It was great that it was thinner than what I train with, that's why the weight didn't feel heavy - but for some damned reason it kept getting stuck at my knees. From what I gather, it got stuck there for others as well when they went heavy. That just means we need to be reacquainted with that bar one way or another. :) :) :) No excuses - have to beat any barriers!!!
Ok - now that I put out the athlete perspective - now I want to thank all of the folks who were there. I just want you guys to know, that throughout the years, I have always enjoyed meeting every one of you and even though I'm bad with names (you guys know I'm bad with that), I remember faces better and you have to know that my eyes light up whenever I see your faces. After all these years, you know my love when I squeeze you with my hugs. I know it sounds weird but I lost a good part of my hearing when I was a UH60 pilot, so I have a tendency to work off of faces (eyes mainly) and how you greet me with hugs. I didn't want to insult our brethren with their seminars and really tried so hard to hear them - but I'm at a disadvantage with that and never wanted them to think I was ignoring them. I agree with all of you - the cardio bunny should have been "kick kick - booted off". LOL!!! ;)
I can't even list all the names on here of those I love so much for being there, but I'll try to start and hopefully the rest will chime in for me - Dave Barth (THE EXTREME), Big Al (first one at the airport), Eric (NG), Alex (Juggernaut [big hugs]), J-Dawg (stop hiding on me!), Aggression (still mad at me for your first hoodie going missing? lol!!!), P Diesel - aka Iggy T, aka Menonite Powerbitch, aka Dutch Superman wannabe Scotch-Irish Super BJ...hey, that's how I heard it. Can't help that part. All I know is even though his family was like Irish on the boat to the land of the free, my family on my father's side was already here fighting the fight. Gillespie's are Scotch-Irish and we already have our tartars. My father asked why I wasn't doing highland games already and I tried to tell him it's not female friendly. Looks like we're going to have to change some things. This is the neat thing about originating from several different cultures and keeping track of it.
Just so you know, I love P Diesel - he's good people and so genuine hearted. He knows pain in ways most folks have no clue. That's why we get along so well together. That's why MOST of us get along so well. True warriors are not those who just look for the next best opportunity. Do we look for opportunities to shine? YES. But we don't look for one's that make use shine. We look for those to opportunities that will get us closer to our brethren and ones that will help us learn more in our game. True warriors don't give up. True warriors don't quit. If anyone who has read Sun Tzu - they would understand the compassion I speak about.