THE GOAL THAT DEFINED ME
THE GOAL THAT DEFINED ME
Was it just a number? Part 1
I’ll start this 3 part blog by saying, it has been the most difficult to write. It is a lightening bolt right to my front door. It is personal and defines a chapter in my life of great importance.
Looking back I think people thought I was chasing a number. Truth was I was chasing the person I had to become to earn it.
To me, this represented years of sacrifice, discipline, setbacks and perseverance. It was not all about hitting my number.
I get asked, “Why 500 pounds?” It seemed to be a formidable goal, one that would take some time and effort to accomplish. I was quite a way from reaching this goal and I wanted to accomplish something others would never be able to do. A 1/4 ton, paused on the chest. That was my brand of cool. I was hitting 425-430 on a regular basic in meets so another 65-70 pounds paused would take potentially years of work to accomplish.
I was competing 2-3 meets a year, should help me gauge increases in strength and confidence I made necessary changes in programming, I felt. I have never used a coach, but I spent a lot of time reading programming styles, rep ranges and exercises known for adding strength to the muscles that I needed to make drastic improvements on.
Changes were made in training, like putting in a Westside BB max effort day in 3 days post bench. I started doing more speed bench work utilizing bandstand chains, to gain more speed off chest and a greater lockout. On max effort day, I would alternate floor press, pin press and block presses weekly to overload portions of my bench, alongside the spadework, I saw my bench slowly start to increase. Hitting a 479 pound in a large televised meet. I gained a radio interview, my first. I felt I was pointed in the right direction. A long ways to go to hit my goal but moving.
I was chasing a single goal, through dozens of competitions. IMO every athlete needs a mountain to climb. Mine just weighed 500 pounds.
Every meet brought a new opportunity and every year brought a new chapter but the goal never changed.
I missed my first 5 attempts at 500 pounds on the platform, all different aspects leading to the same failure. I just kept re-evaluating, re-applying additional concepts or scrapping ones I didn’t feel were useful. I think people thought I was crazy but perseverance would become part of my identity. Failure didn’t tell me to quit. It told me I just wasn’t ready yet.
About the Author:
Marty Killion is a 6 time IPL full power World Champion, 8 time IPL World record holder and a 2022 inductee into the National Strength and Power Hall of Fame. He has spent more then 30 years competing, coaching and helping athletes reach their potential. Through Killion Strength Coaching and Laramie Fitness, he shares practical lessons learned from decades under the bar.
