Old Time Strongman Part 2

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Ok, last one I promise

Because some of you foolishly showed some interest in part 1, here is a 7 minute compilation of some of the events in the same competition the following year - The Trans Tasman Strongman Challenge 2000

A year later, I was, heavier (135kg) stronger and faster and on track to hammer at this big event. As luck would have it though and only four weeks out I badly sprained my right ankle training for the 200kg carry...I really thought I was out altogether but some serious, R.I.C.E. careful rehab and physio and eventually a lace up plastic ankle brace got me to a point that I could compete but I was under done, less mobile and not 100% unfortunately..still, I tried my hardest and that's all one can ask huh? Of course that year almost all of the events involved running, dragging and changing direction under load (no static events like deadlift or overhead lifting) and this put great strain on my ankle

Anyway, I hope you get some more entertainment from my distant and unusual past, please feel free to laugh at my expense I still managed a creditable 6th place out of 12 of Australia and New Zealand's strongest men and it was very close result in the end with little separating us, so meah...was happy enough under the circumstances

Warning: my dear son Riley, 8 years old at the time, can be heard providing plenty of encouragement to his "dad"

Old Time Strongman Part 2

Mike

[gts055 (Mark)]

Hmmm, soft flesh and bone against inanimate deadweights, I feel your tendons and muscle straining, and soft joints compressing, and that poor ankle. I totally agree with "I tried my hardest". Competition is not about winning, its a personal challenge to do the best of your ability both mind and body, you sure have shown that here. Entertaining clips and well edited. Mark

[Logieberra (Logan)]

Dang! Now that's a good n proper seated row!!!

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by gts055

Hmmm, soft flesh and bone against inanimate deadweights, I feel your tendons and muscle straining, and soft joints compressing, and that poor ankle. I totally agree with "I tried my hardest". Competition is not about winning, its a personal challenge to do the best of your ability both mind and body, you sure have shown that here. Entertaining clips and well edited. Mark

You're right of course Mark...but I would be kidding myself if I didn't admit to being more than miffed at the predicament I found myself in buuut I did get over it pretty quick

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Dang! Now that's a good n proper seated row!!!

yeah I guess it was Logan, was always a toss up which technique to use on that event, we never got to test it out first, I may have been served better to have used my arms more for a quicker turn around between pulls but I gauged the truck as a bit too heavy so I utilised my hips more... all good now

Mike

[Ric]

Awesome stuff Mike

Thanks for the video's

[xelasnave]

I can't get your vid Mike, later hopefully, but thanks in anticipation.
Please consider my recommendation to exercise.
You don't have to view it as hard work as it probably was in times past.
As you age you slowly loss flexibility, it creeps up, until one day you can't turn your head to look out the rear window of your car and other little things which you can avoid.
Up until my back and leg problem I was as fit as a lot of 30 yr olds . That epic arm wrestle was against a 35 yr old and you can't believe how good it was to best him being 30 years older.
And I bet if I was not so fit my recover from the back operation would not be going so well.
And exercise at the moment is an absolute struggle ...I could not stand up on my toes a couple of months ago but with exercise I now can.
The doctors are really impressed but if I had not been so hard on myself those mussels would have been lost forever.
And believe me astronomy does give you a work out It was easy for me but now an effort. I will make it better but so easy to let it go.
Again thank you for showing us what you have achieved you certainly can be proud of you dedication

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

200kg?! I huff and puff when I lift 20!!! . Definitely something you should be very proud of mate! Very entertaining!

Love hearing Riley screaming encouragement to his dad too!

Cheers, Marcus

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Very entertaining!

Cool, that was the idea of posting, hopefully it was viewed in this spirit by everyone and not some sort of show off exercise, after all being able to carry 200kg dangling between your legs had rather limited use in the real world

Love hearing Riley screaming encouragement to his dad too!

Yeah, I'm very proud of him Marcus, from a screaming groupy/training assistant to his strongman dad for several years to a science degree as an officer in the Royal Australian Airforce and likely a pilot...I'm pretty proud of my little mate

Mike

[andyc (Andy)]

Wow, those are pretty impressive images and video Mike! Those Atlas stones make moving a scope look like child's play. And some fun images of you in a kilt I've seen a few of the heavy events at Highland games back in Scotland, always something special to see. You ever do a caber toss? The event where the guys threw a big weight over a high bar over their heads always looked crazy too...

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by andyc

Wow, those are pretty impressive images and video Mike! Those Atlas stones make moving a scope look like child's play. And some fun images of you in a kilt I've seen a few of the heavy events at Highland games back in Scotland, always something special to see. You ever do a caber toss? The event where the guys threw a big weight over a high bar over their heads always looked crazy too...

Ha ha yeah, only did a few highland games Andy and was only pretty (below) average at that, I didn't have any of the throwing implements to practise with at home unfortunately (and practise is paramount with such events) so had to wing it on the day of the comps I participated in but luckily my natural raw strength and power were enough to prevent me from being completely embarrassed I guess ...always did well at lifting the MaGlashen manhood stones and Dinnie Stones at the end though

See here and here

Mike