TruFusion KB Comp ~ first 16kg snatch!

last week I got to go to Vegas to compete in a kettlebell competition and do my first competition with anything other than a 12kg bell. Which was really exciting and I trained really hard for it over several months mostly on my own

  Training for this event was wayyyy different than anything I've trained for over the past year. Usually I do my training with Kor and with my team but this cycle, no one else on my team was doing this event so i bought the online training program from Brittany van Schravendjik (my coach) that had a monthly program so I could do the training by myself. (Side note, if you're thinking of getting some online programming for kettlbell sport, definitely check out her programs! They're awesome!!) 

The first month was some of the hardest training I did, because I was trying to get ready for the long cycle championships in May and simultaneously progress my lifting weight with snatch (that month was training with the 14kg). It was hard and to be honest there were lots of days that I just didn't want to train and it was just a push to do all the training. but I did it! And once I finished with the long cycle championships I was able to fully focus on snatch training and boy did that make a difference. 

Once I started training just on snatch, I was less fatigued, my hands weren't as torn up, and I started really feeling stronger with the lift. 

The progression from a 12kg snatch to a 16 kg snatch is substantial. And it's really hard to go from snatching fast as heck (20+ rpm)  to really figuring out how to pace yourself so you can actually last a full 10. 

that was the breakthrough I really made throughout this training cycle ~ it's okay to go slow. And tbh, you have to start slow with just about anything you do. plus the whole "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" deal really comes into play here. and the weeks leading up to the event on the event I was feeling real strong with the lift and was looking forward to the comp.

The comp itself was different from any one that I've done before. First, didn't have the whole team there (only Dan & Albert). Second, definitely the farthest I've traveled for a comp. Third, it was an afternoon comp vs a morning which was different. And fourth, it was just a totally different competition vibe and space and competitors. And fifth, I could NOT stay hydrated. It was like a 30 degree hop and I couldn't stop being thirsty the entire time I was in Vegas. 

Just in general, the competition was just much different than what I've experienced in the past year. It definitely wasn't catered to someone who had actually been training for the event like I had been. And the scoring system was made up for this comp and it was odd. (It was calculated with your weight, bell weight, and arm length ~ so it seemed that someone with long arms [bc the bell travels further] would have an advantage in the point system). But the music was rocking and the energy was fantastic which is honestly key. Cause lifting in silence feels like murder (as I learned at the long cycle comp). 

my set was also weird because i was suposed to be lifting against two other ladies lifting a 16kg bell and then one of them decided to not lift snatch at all and the other decided to lift a 12kg. Which was kind of a bummer cause I really wanted to lift against and with people but I had come in with my own goals and I only ever focus on myself during my sets anyway so that's all I would do for that set. 

My goal for the ten minute set was 1) to finish a whole 10 minute set and 2) 130 reps 

and I did both! finished a whole 10 minutes AND hit 141 reps (11 reps over my goal!) 

really proud of myself and for keeping my mind right for the competition despite all of the deviations from my normal routine and set up for a comp. It went beyond what I thought I was going to do, I got only one hand tear (left side in the last minute) and I was the only woman to lift anything over a 12kg bell at the competition. So I'm taking it all as a win. 

Now I don't have any competitions until October now, so I have lots of time to train for the next one! 

If you want to get training for kettlebells or running come check me out at Edge in San Marcos (Wednesday @ 4pm / Friday @ 7:30am) & I'm available for one on one and small group training along with online training! Send me an email at tiffnessfitness@gmail.com or a DM on Instagram or Facebook! 

Long Cycle Championships

this weekend was the Kettlebell King IKO Long Cycle Championships! And it was a really successful competition for me!

Since Worlds, I've had a lot going on. Quit my job, took a break from training, got a new job, and then dove the heck into Long Cycle training... and then a month ago I added a snatch training cycle in on top of it. Cause I am also doing a kettlebell comp at the end of June.

SO, it's been a lot. but I did have a whole lot of focus for my long cycle sets for this comp. I worked a lot on nailing down some technique issues that I saw in my competition set in February. And I had a lot more time to really work on it all.

My goal for this competition was to break 100 reps, so then I could start lifting some heavier bells in my next competitions. (all the yellow bells!!)

some additional stuff that I had to deal with was that: 1) this was the first comp that I didn't have Britt, my coach at (@kbfitbritt) which was a change, but nothing too crazy to adapt to. 2) figuring out the weigh in the days before the comp, trying to get there before they left/getting out on time from work. 3) my brother came and I haven't had any family see me lift before so that was a bonus stress. 4) I randomly got to do an extra 5 minute 16kg one arm long cycle. 5) I had no idea when I was lifting. due to lots of circumstances, the flight schedules came out pretty late

but overall, all that worked out. I got to weigh in and eat everything I wanted the night before. the random 16kg set went well, and didn't tire me out for my 10 min set.  I had awesome support from Dan (@musclehipster) during the set, along with Gary, Marian (@marianjhart), Lolo (lolonicole13) , and my brother and Colt. But, Dan was really awesome during those last few minutes, you can hear him really coaching me through it, in the video I'll post below, and it definitely helped.

16 kg, 5 min One Arm Long Cycle

58 reps (1st place)

despite the music shutting off a couple minutes into the set, I finished pretty strong and honestly, it was just fun! got all my nervous energy out of the way, and made it happen.

2x12kg 10 min Long Cycle

106 reps (? rank)

SO, SO  proud of this set. honestly, my favorite part of this video is the last 90 seconds. it's all grit and will power and I am really proud of how well I did. I wanted 100+ reps and I did it. Max effort. and next time I get on the platform I'll be stronger for it. And I am really excited that I hit over 100 reps. My last PR was 75. That's 31 more reps added in about 3 months. That is hella progress.

Now, we're all onto all the snatches so I can be ready for the end of June! So excited!!

if you want to learn some stuff about kettlebells or take a class with me... check out edge.fitness to see what classes i'm teaching in San Marcos. Or message me on Facebook or Instagram!

I have online training and in person available to kick off your summer workout program!  

WAKSC Cali Open/ World Championships KB Competition

If you didn't know, last weekend I got to compete in my second kettlebell competition. But honestly, I don't know how you wouldn't have known cause i was talking about it nonstop. Like,  an obnoxious amount. (No regrets, but i know that I was talking about it a lot).

I competed in long cycle (for the first time with double bells) and snatch. All 12 kg bells. 

Training was with my badass and super amazing coach Brittany (@kbfitbritt) at Kor Strength and Conditioning (@mykorstrength). Literally couldn't have done it without them. If you're wanting to get into KB Sport, definitely shoot Britt a message cause she's awesome. 

So my goals this time around were: 

Long Cycle - Finishing the full 10 mins, over 70 reps 

Snatch - over 200 reps 

Long Cycle: 

Set: Finished with 75 reps! Had a few ugly reps but I found a pretty decent rhythm throughout the set and I was able to push myself the last minute! 

Long Cycle takes a pretty good amount of cardio & I feel pretty solid on my cardio. Definitely was feeling fatigue in that last couple of minutes (longest I had gone with 2x12kg was 8 mins) but my thought process is, if I can convince myself to run for 2 hours, I can convince myself to keep lifting for however more minutes ! :) 

Long Cycle was also great because I had Britt there the whole time coaching me through it, and even though I definitely zone out during my sets, I definitely appreciated having her there reminding me to keep my form and head straight throughout the set.

Results: 
Rank 1, Overall 2 

Snatch: 

Set: finished with a whopping 229 reps!!!!!! 

Absolutely destroyed my goal and I was/am SO proud of myself! It was the best  set of kettlebell lifting that i have ever had. I went in with a goal, and i was absolutely determined to beat that goal. I pushed myself really hard and I felt really strong throughout the set. I was wayyy more nervous for this set than I was for the Long Cycle set because I had set such high expectations for myself. But with my training, and the support of my team (if you watch the video you can hear them, mostly marian ( <3 @marianjhart) dan (@musclehipster) and JJ) cheering and yelling throughout the set) I hit and exceeded my goal. shout out to JJ for filming this set (@jjsavestheday) 

one of the best parts of that video is after the set... the counter couldn't keep up with me, so I thought I had hit 212... but then he came up and showed me the official count which was the 229 and you can see my eyes double in size.

So proud of that set. 

Rank 1, Overall 1. 

(beat second place by about 50 reps!) 

Overall, this was SUCH a fun weekend. 

Beyond my own sets, my team did awesome and I got to watch my friends hit their goals and lift crazy weights and I love it. I love getting to see people be successful in their sets. One of the best parts of kettlebell sport is how supportive everyone is and everyone is rooting for each other. It is such a cool environment to be in. AND I got to meet SO MANY cool people that I have been following on IG and I got to see SO MANY badass people lift. I got the opportunity to see some of the best lifters in the world compete which was so cool and so inspiring. Legitimately gets me so excited to keep pushing myself to get better for the next one.

If you have questions about Kettlebell Sport, leave'em in the comments below! Or send me a message on instagram and/or facebook page!  If you want to start training for something you're excited about and need some guidance... send me a message or check out my program packages!