So I sit here at Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, Kentucky awaiting 430 praying that I get on my newly re-scheduled flight to Newark Airport. My flight had to be moved up due to the weather.
My flight left Newark as scheduled at 155 on Friday, and I arrived in Cincinnati as scheduled. At that time I was picked up at the airport by Turfway Ed and his wife Dana Lindsley. Great people, more on them later. I arrived at the hotel around 615 expecting to meet John Bott, Anthony Ditillo and Mike 'Paper' Stuchiner around that time. I was greeted in the lobby by Dave Kirschen who informed me I was the last flight out of Newark to Cinci that day. That our lifters (Anthony and Mike Paper) flight had been cancelled. We didn't really have rooms situated or anything. We stayed in the lobby bar lounge area til close to midnight when we had things resolved. (At one point we were joined in the lounge by Michael Keck and his wife Jennifer, who I found to be great people.) Our guys were the last flight out of Newark and would be headed to Colombus, Ohio, where they would rent a car and then drive the 2 hours to our hotel in Covington, Kentucky. With that we situated rooms and I went to sleep. Our guys got in at 430 am, and were scheduled to weigh in at 8 am.
Friday at the hotel I ran in to a friend from Rhode Island, 'Sleeping Andy' Vale and his friend Joe from his club. I offered Andy my services. Our guys weighed in and went on as planned despite no sleep. Andy Vale had a great day squatting a PR (personal record) 925, benching a PR 560 bench press (with me as his lift off guy) and deadlifted 640 for a PR total of 2125, a 65 pound PR from his previous 2060 total. Anthony Ditillo had an amazing day going 9 for 9 in the 275's on no sleep! Ant squatted 850, benched 635, deadlifted 650 all PR's on way to a PR total 2135. Mike Paper had a bit of a tougher day, but it just exemplified why I admire Mike so much. Mike is the epitome of a dedicated powerlifter. He finished the meet, and handled everything excellently, while keeping his composure throughout the entire experience.
I had the pleasure of meeting the guys from Bad Attitude Gym in Dallas Texas who have all my respect. Mark Swank (sp?) warmed up with our guys and Andy Vale, and that was our warm up crew. Mark was there with Henry Thomason. Mark had a solid day Saturday on the amateur day moving big weights. For the most part these Bad Attitude guys had great attitudes, were very friendly, and lifted in Titan poly gear! Shout outs to Ken Anderson, these boys are strong!!! Henry squatted in just a Titan suit, no briefs and on his third attempt Sunday he tried 1270, a 5 pound World Record attempt over Donnie Thompson's new 1265 World Record. Henry missed the attempt, but has all of my respect!
It was a pleasure to talk with guys like Louie Simmons, Jason Pegg, Donnie Thompson (who set a new world record 1265 squat this morning), Steve Gabrielson, Greg Damminga, and Billy Mimnaugh. If I left anyone out I am sorry.
It was a great weekend and will be a perfect weekend if I can make it home to my family safely tonight! I'm sitting here praying and killing time writing this post on my cel phone.
I want to give an endorsement to the city of Covington, Kentucky. A city with wonderful people, and a nice way of life. I had my first taste of Waffle House (we need these in NJ) and my first and second tastes of Skyline Chili (this stuff is amazing)!
I was picked up at the airport Friday by the Lindsleys. A terrific couple of people who I had the pleasure of meeting and spending some time with. They took me to their home, fed me my first taste of Skyline Chili, and showed me the way of the land. Then dropped me off at the hotel. I would have liked to have spent more time with them while I was here.
They just announced the boarding of the delayed 130 flight to Newark. Praying I make it on that 430 flight and we take off.
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