FINALLY!!

8 long, tough years of training and competing has finally paid off. last night i was able to walk away with a win...2011 Central Florida's Strongest Man Masters Heavyweight! i got my first NAS card back in 1993.
in that time i have competed against the best amateurs and even a few pros. i struggled to make it through those competitions, always at the bottom end of the list. i questioned myself constantly and so did a few other people.
why? for what? i continued because i love being a strongman, win or lose. and last night was the sweetest win...

the competition was great! as usual Scott Weech put on another great show. venue was awesome, cannot beat a  wing bar with a papa john's next to it. it poured rain when i got there which pushed the start time back a little. we even armed up in a drizzle. but the gods of iron and stone found favor on us and let us compete under dry and cool conditions.
first event was the press medley...2 logs 220 and 250 and a 275 axle. as usual the axle handed me my butt. got second there. was determined to not lose another event.  next was the yoke and farmers medley. 625 and 260 per hand, 60 feet each. smoked this event in 30 seconds...win!
the death medley was next! despite the cardio i have been doing this left me exhausted. 275 duck walk, 80lb barrel, 340 prowler push. i got a total of 116 feet. did not finish the prowler, i was just gassed from the awkward barrel carry. but another win!
truck drag was next....13000lb gmc truck with 5 people in the bed. 35 seconds. was surprised about this one. usually my quads are screaming but not this time. guess the elliptical paid off...win number 3!
last was stone over bar...260 over a 51 inch bar. could have sworn the bar was higher. honestly i was already the overall winner at this point. i could have done 1 and walked away, oh no not me! my competition did 2 so to put the final nail in the coffin i banged out 3. i was spent also....back fried, legs shot, arms like jello.
made it home very late and still was excited about the win. but the reality did not sink in till i took a good look at the trophy....8 years