England Strongwoman Championship Final - September 2014

As you know, back in April I qualified for this comp - rather unexpectedly! In the run up, I was feeling a little nervous, especially as this would have only been my 3rd Strongwoman competition to date and I had no knowledge of the other ladies that had qualified in my category or their strength levels!

When the events were announced earlier this summer, I was really looking forward to the day - albeit some of the events were tasks / weights I had never attempted before - A Car Deadlift / Car Pull / 60kg Atlas Stone...enough to scare some people off!!

Sure enough, some events were changed and one even dropped altogether.....and here, as is tradition, is a run down of the day...with photos!!

Saturday morning I was feeling good - and not as nervous as I thought I would be, or have done for previous competitions, which was a great start!

Weighing in at 53.2kgs, I was the lightest competitor and the lowest weight I had been for a while (not intentionally I must add - although this did play on my mind for the day...but it could've been the scales!!) 

Following the athletes meeting, we gathered into our 3 categories - u63kg, u75kg and o75kg, ready to be introduced to the crowd. This was actually the most nerve racking part of the day - being called out one by one to be introduced to the spectators!

Intros done it was time to warm up and crack on with the first event...

Event 1 - Max Log Press - Opening weight 40kg

All u63's had to do a 40kg opening lift, with three nominated lifts after this. Originally my plan was
to start at 50kg, but a niggling shoulder injury led to the decision being 47.5kg..which I pressed with ease and felt confident to follow up with a 50kg. Again, this went up easily and I was ready to go for 52.5kg - which would've been a new PB for me!

I cleaned it to my chest easily, not even thinking about the weight, it felt good. I went for the dip and press, but it just wasn't there. I brought the log back to the tyre and caught my breath. James had advised that should I miss the first go, I rest until there was about 20 seconds left on the clock. That way, I didn't tire myself out trying over and over again, as we had seen previously that morning.

So I went for the 2nd attempt - and it went up a bit further..! But I couldn't fully press it and it came crashing back to my chest...I was gutted! I was so close!


Event 2 - Quadbike Deadlift - Frame with Side Handles.

The weight for this wasn't confirmed, but we worked it out to be about 150kg.... 70kg Bike + 20kg Frame + Katie (60kg)....

At the point at which I stepped on to the platform, I had 19 reps to beat. Prior to this, I had said that I would've been happy with 5 or 6 reps.....

I got strapped in, and off I went. The first few were really quick as it felt so much lighter than I thought it would! This came to my detriment though as I was disallowed a rep for being too quick... I reset myself as I had lost my footing, and carried on. And On and On! I total, I managed to lift the frame 24 times, but had two disallowed lifts, meaning my score was 22, leaving me 3rd in this event - which I was pleased with as 1st and 2nd place scored 26 and 24 respectively!

Watch the video here :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr8jsHc5Fvg&feature=youtu.be

I also managed to rip one of the calluses off of my right hand - which I didn't notice until James pointed out it was bleeding....! A quick trip to the on hand physio saw it patched and taped up, ready for the next event....

My poor hand!!!!
 

Event 3 - RAC Van Pull - 3.5 tonne

I was looking forward to this, its something that I hadn't ever done - apart from a car pull, so didn't really know what to expect. I had watched a few of the other ladies, noted which techniques worked and which didn't....and I had in my head exactly what I was going to do...

But somewhere between those thoughts and starting the event, my mind went blank.

I didn't start low enough and this was my major downfall. An event like this works best the lower
your body is to the floor...and I just didn't so it and I don't know why...

I managed to move it, only a short distance before I started to go dizzy and loose my breath - the harness was pressing so hard into my diaphragm I struggled for air - this coupled with the sense of failure I was feeling, I was ready to give up. I then heard Mum shout ''get ANGRY Franki!!'' to which I semi screamed / cried / roared at and pulled once more - but I wasn't going anywhere and the van started to roll back (it started on an incline...) I managed to stop it moving and heard ''time'' shouted...so I dropped the support rope. When I did so, people screamed at me for dropping the rope and that I wasn't finished - they hadn't heard the time be called, so I picked up at started pulling again....!!!! But it was over... and I was done....and managed to rope burn my left palm.....


Event 4 - Farmers Walk, 60kg each hand 15m x 2

Now if you have been following this blog, you will know what happened to me the last time I had a farmers walk in a comp (yes, THAT ankle photo...) so it's fair to say that I was nervous going into this one. Even worse given both my hands were shot, I wasn't too happy.... but I had told myself all I need to do, is to remember to Stand, Stabilise and Go - and not drop them! Glad to say, this is just what I did - no drops, no nearly broken ankle, not even a knock into one of my legs - and I was just pleased to finish uninjured. I managed the run in 20s, which is what I had aimed for, so pleased with that!




Final Event - 60kg Atlas Stone over Yoke

I knew this would be a tough one due to my height - I'm about 5ft 2" and the yoke height was just under my chest and the Atlas stone weighed more than me...this was going to be hard!

We all tackied up and prepared - if you have ever used tacky, you'll know just how annoying it is! For those of you that haven't, it is an adhesive gel like substance that is used for grip - applied to the arms / t shirt etc. to stop the stone from slipping. I was covered in the stuff!

James has set the target for 5 reps, but I wanted 8 to beat a previously set score. The event started and the stone felt light as I pulled it into my lap and hugged my arms around for the raise. it went over easily and thudded to the floor - and I was already in agony - the concrete and tacky had literally ripped the skin from my arms, so when getting in position again, it's all I could think of.

I got to the 5 and went for the 6th, but couldn't quite get it over and it fell into my chest and I gasped for breath. I reset and hauled it off the floor and over in what almost felt like 1 motion!! Time was called and I was finished - although disappointed with myself for not getting 8 - even though I could barely breath and my chest was burning.

Atlas Bruises the next morning...!

 

Overall, I came 7th of 12 and I was feeling good - the talent from all the competitors was amazing and it was great to see so many other women involved.

Well done to Gina and Jenny who came 2nd and 3rd respectively and to Becki for completing all the events despite having not trained due to illness and not pulling out!





U63kg ESWC Competitors



 

U75kg ESWC Competitors

O75kg ESWC Competitors

As always, thanks to everyone that came down to support - it really does mean so much to have you there rooting for me! Hopefully next year I can put on a better performance for you all!! Again, thank you to James for not only being such a great coach and always encouraging me to push on, but for also being my rock :)



Me and my Coach :)



My Family, Beth and Jen

Beautiful Zuz :)

And all those that cleverly avoided the camera! Jeanette, Hannah, Natasha, Keith, Howard and Chris!

7th Strongest in England!!!!

So...what's next?

I am going to rest! I wanted to take a break from competing until next year so I can do some different training, some more body composition stuff, change my diet up a bit....but now I have seen there is an U55kg competition id December, I am contemplating entering that!!

Alongside this, I have been doing lots more yoga and really enjoying it! I am currently taking part in an Instagram photo challenge of a different pose each day which is really fun and a great way to learn! Here is just a couple of my favourite poses so far....

I also need some recovery time... those stones have left me needing to wear long sleeves for nearly a week....not a great look when starting a new job!!!

People ask why I do so much, why I train as a Strongwoman - the answer is simply that I enjoy it and love what I do and the challenges it brings... I thrive off challenges! It helps me better myself and allows me to continue inspiring and motivating others!! Hence the Bruises and the Awkward attempts at Yoga poses ;-)

What's your view on challenges - do you see them as a negative nuisance, or make a positive out of said obstacle and flourish?


Anyway, as ever, I'll keep you informed with what I'm up to and what i decide to do next!

Until next time...!

Franki xx


Facebook: Franki Napolitano
Twitter: @fnapolitano2
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All Systems Go!

Can you quite believe little old me is now running her own business?! Me neither...it was a hectic first weekend, I won't lie - but I loved every minute of it! Sunday night was the best nights' sleep I'd had for along time...and the latest bedtime for a while too!

Chicken Fajitas and Slow Cooked Chilli

All Ready to GO!!!

Thank you so much to those who placed their first orders, and I am happy to report that all the feedback so far as been very positive.....!

"The soup is best I have ever tasted. Not usually a soup man and
think it will never satisfy me. This did and so tasty. Great work.
Next week might be a full 5 day order I think." Matt P

 

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"(Your) Fajitas are Scrummy!" Ciara H

 

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"Just had the soup. AMAZING!!! more please :) Also the roulades are SO good!! top work. I thoroughly recommend to anyone. Cant wait for lunch!" Adam W

 

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"Yea, the chilli was great" James S (can't be seen to be giving too much praise ;-) )

 

 

 

Wow!!! Thanks Guys!

 

Here's to the next one!

Speaking of the next one, be sure to check my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/FrankiNapolitano2 for this weeks menu, ready for your orders to be placed!


If you're in the gym over the next week or so, keep an eye out for my brand new Business Cards too! Feel free to take a few and hand them out!

So what else is going on?

Training is well underway for The BNSF Britain's Strongest Woman competition on August 10th! (Yes, a week before I go on holiday - just what I need - BRUISES!) 

Morgan Holmes

Glad to say I also have a new training partner, Morgan, who is also competing in this competition having placed 4th in Basingstoke's Strongest Novice last month....So expect a few videos and pictures over the coming weeks!

Sara Smith

A third EBW Strongwoman is also competing - Sara who placed 1st in the aforementioned novice comp - so there will be a great EBW Presence on the day! Can't wait ladies, looks to be a great comp!













The Event list for my weight category in this comp is pretty good too - take a look!

Gutted I missed both practice sessions that were held, so I'm hoping I will be ok on the day! Feeling pretty good about this one, despite only making my final decision to compete last week!

A few weeks ago EBW held one of their Events session which I love! This time I was joined by Polly, another Strongwoman competitor who was also at the qualifier I did in April. Sadly, she didn't manage to qualify this year, but we have big hopes for next year!

This is what I love about Strongman / Strongwoman - everyone is so supportive and friendly - it doesn't matter how you do, everyone respects the time, effort and determination you put into training - being especially supportive on competition days - even cheering on their rivals. How great is that?!



Polly from WHS down for an Events Session

And what's EVEN better is that more and more women are slowly getting into the support which is amazing! The Final I'm competing in in September (England's Strongwoman Championships) looks to be quite a spectacle - The organiser, Aaron, wants us all to be introduced to the crowd one by one - to our own piece of chosen music...and with a commentary on out training and a weird fact about us...plus the local press and sponsors being there - talk about added pressure! But I think that's great - what a way to feel like a celeb hey?!











Once the summer months creep in, most people go into panic mode about looking as good as possible with minimal clothes on - stripping body fat, fighting the bloat and pumping up their arms...I'm just trying to keep from getting injured and keeping my strength up - hoping this will carry over into my bikini body look too! Which reminds me...I need to bikini shop!

Franki the PT...!

As you may have seen from my FB Page, two of my clients have recently been through a bit of a ''detox' - basically two weeks of meat and green veg, no booze, sugar, dairy or caffeine in a bid to reduce body fat and really accelerate their results. Glad to report that both ladies managed to hit their short term target before their holiday / break away - one even losing an incredible 7cms from her waist and hips in a few weeks! Very proud of all my clients, well done to you all!

Lastly.....

On a Wednesday morning at 7am, you'll find me in the gym with an incredible group of ladies being put through their paces in my Elite Female class. Over the last 4 months, I have had amazing feedback on the class and I really enjoy leading these women on their quest for a healthier, leaner body. It has proven rather popular with people asking if I will run another....

Well I am pleased to announce, that from August, I Will Be! We are in the process of turning the first floor of our new premises into our Body Composition area and so from August, Monday Evenings at 8pm will belong to me and a second group of ELITE FEMALES! The class already has 5 of 8 spaces filled from ladies on a waiting list - so if you would like to snap up one of the remaining 3 spaces, contact me to arrange!

Safe to say it's All Systems Go with me right now - I love to be busy - gives me a sense of purpose and drive...lets hope it keeps up!

I hope you are all well and on track with your goals and focuses for this year!


Until Next Time!

Franki xx

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Twitter: @fnapolitano2
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England's Strongwoman Championship Southern Qualifier 2014

Well, yesterday was the day I have been waiting for over the last 3 months! And what a day it was. As promised, here is a write up of how it went....

Of course, being me, my bag was packed and ready on Saturday night, and food and water were ready to go. A few sausages, nuts and black coffee down, I was set.

On the drive down to WHS, I of course had my playlist on full volume! I had decided to ignore my phone too, as well wishes I had received the previous night had started to make me jittery, so I didn't want it to happen again just before competing! That was the first PB of the day, not looking at my messages / Facebook / Twitter for nearly 7 hours.... SAD?!

Anyway, once at the gym, I was a nervous wreck. Tried really hard not to show it as the other competitors that were already there all seemed to know one another and so I didn't want to stand out even more! I needn't have worried though, all the competitors from the 3 weight categories were all really friendly and supportive - a much needed boost!

Soon enough, the room started to fill up with spectators -and to my surprise, quite a lot of them were for little old me! It was time for us to pick out our starting positions (numbers from a hat) and were told that there would be 6 competing, not 7 as originally thought. Luckily for me, I pulled 6 - last up, meaning I could see what the other ladies managed and what I needed to beat...

Event One - 35kg Log Press, FTOH reps in 1 minute

I like this event and feel it is one of my best. I guess this is helped by my experience with Olympic Lifting as it is quite reminiscent of a Clean and Jerk. Originally I had aimed for 10 reps, but it just felt so comfortable and quick, I kept going, time being called just before I could finish rep 13. Amazing result for me, and meant I drew 2nd Place...

Result - 12 reps, Joint 2nd Place













                                                                                 Event Two - WSM Squat, 70kg for reps in a minute

I have really been working on my squat and felt confident with this one too. Again, I had aimed for 10 but after seeing the competition from the others, James upped this aim to 16-18reps! Seemed like a big jump, but stepping into the rack, I knew I had it there. As I un-racked, the bar felt so light - perhaps that was the pre-workout saying that! - and the first 3 reps felt effortless. I think I then got a little over confident and did the next few a bit too quickly, resulting in taking a moment to pause and catch my breath, which really did cost me another rep. I managed 17 in total, but 1 was disallowed as the bar didn't touch both pins...still smashed my original goal though!

Result - 16 Reps, 4th Place

Event 3 - Arm over Arm Pull and Drag, 50kg - Timed

I was unsure how I would do in this event, I have always felt pretty weak on the pulling events. Luckily, this was really quite light and so it was more about being quick. I recall leaning as far forward as I could, stretched down the rope, heels dug into the tyre, when I heard someone say ''Ooh, I could only dream of getting into that position!'' and it made me chuckle, but I didn't loose focus, I used it as incentive, and once I started pulling the rope, I just didn't stop. Maybe I was a bit too quick as I lost my handing 3 times when pulling in, but I made up for the time with the drag back - no mistakes on the switch round and just kept my feet moving, despite my quads screaming at me to stop. And as always, I collapsed in a classy pile at the end :)

Result - 33.71 Seconds - 2nd Place






                                                              Event 4 - Farmers Walk - Timed

Ah yes, those lovely hunks of metal! The warm up was fine, and felt good about going into this second to last due to my placing in the previous event. I barely watched the other ladies this time, I just needed to keep my head in it. I had practiced this and managed it in 15seconds, so this was my aim.... But I knew as soon as I had picked them up that something would go wrong. I stupidly tried to move whilst picking them up, not my usual, Stand, Stabilise, Go technique. This put me off balance and I wobbled my way up the first 15m....I was nearing the cone and all of a sudden lost my footing and completely rolled my right ankle. Luckily, my left side took most of the weight, so the damage that could've been done was limited, but it still shook me. I picked them back up though, got through the cone and then all the way back. But I was kicking myself every step. It didn't help that it hurt like hell and I was holding back tears. The encouragement from the other competitors and the spectators was incredible though, that was a massive help!

The Ankle Roll...OUCH!!!

                                                               Result - 24.26 seconds, 5th Place


















Event 5 - Loading Medley, 40kg Sandbag and Keg, 50kg Sandbag and Keg

Ankle throbbing, I tried my best to prepare for this. I knew if anything would give me a shot at a good time, it would be my sprints between the platform and objects, but knew that I would get the speed now I'd done my ankle. But I surprised myself; the 40kg sandbag and keg, and then the 50kg sandbag went up with speed and ease and I was feeling great! Then came the turn of the 50kg keg, which I had only ever attempted once, and only just got it onto the platform from a standstill, let alone a run carrying it! I knocked it, picked it up and started moving...but of course, dropped it! Got it back up to my thighs as this was all I could manage, again, quads, calves and ankle were all going crazy at me, and it felt more like I had 100kg in my arms....







But I managed what seemed like a painstakingly slow walk to the platform, and with one last burst of effort, managed to clean it up and took my hands away...then I think I collapsed onto a bench, with James quickly at my side...














The next 15 minutes were a blur as the other categories finished their event, I think I was wondering around talking to people?! Cant recall much other than Kat offering me some Lindor Mini Eggs! and I only ate one?! What was that about?!

Then it was the announcements of overall placing - and who would qualify for a place in the Finals of England's Strongwoman Championships. We weren't sure if I had placed 3rd or 4th at this point, and so when 4th place was called, and it WASN'T my name, my mum, bless her, was already cheering. Stepping up to greet Aaron to accept my 3rd Place trophy was exhilarating, the applause was immense, I was so happy! Gina (1st), Jenny (2nd) and I posed for photos for what seemed an age!

1st 2nd and 3rd with trophies!

Once all the trophies had been awarded, all the ladies gathered for a group shot.

All the ESWC Competitors!!


What a day!! I am certainly looking forward to the Finals now! Date is TBC....

Maxine, Polly, Becki, Jenny and Gina, all competitors in the U63kg category, are all fantastic ladies and great athletes. It was a pleasure to meet all of you, and I look forward to seeing you for some training sessions soon!

Thank you also to Aaron and Tom for organising and running the event yesterday, I really enjoyed it!

Just to end, thank you again to all those that came to support, especially to my family, training partners Zuz and Charlotte (and Mia!) and of course, James, my coach and inspiration to constantly improve and challenge myself. Thank You for always believing in me.

 

 

Annoyingly, I am experiencing some technical difficulties when trying to publish the video montage of events, so I will post this separately soon!

You'll be pleased to know that I demolished an Easter egg, three double amoretto's and a glass of red to celebrate! Back to clean eating tomorrow though...my bulking phase is over ;-)

Franki x