We are on Tv :)

It was an ordinary Friday, when my coach called me and said that I have to go to Riga for a training on Monday. Of course, I asked what is so special about the training that I have to make 200km to get there. And there was the most unexpected answer - one of Latvian central TV channels were going to make a program about kettlebell lifting. And my coach wanted me to be filmed, too. Try to imagine what I felt. He could just call on Tuesday and say that they were filmed, but instead he called beforehand and asked me to be there. I can't put it in words, but I was grateful and happy and I felt so much at that moment. I understood that I would be just one of many lifters there, but still I was a part of the team and the feeling was great.

It is a military program that is showing soldiers' life. My team mostly consists of military people and we are training in the Latvian National Academy of Defense. Which made us suitable for the program.

It was a very nice experience. I came to gym at 16:30 and started to warm up. The TV team came at about 5p.m. They were filming us for about 2-2,5 hours. We finished training at 19:30. And almost all that time we were working with kettlebells. We had to make a good impression and that's why we all worked with heavy stuff. I myself took 16kg KB and made snatches and jerks... and then made some swings with 24kg KB... I have no idea how many reps I made during the training, but I am sure the word 'many' wouldn't be enough :) When I was so tired I couldn't do any more snatches and jerks, I decided to switch to 8kg KB and do some juggling :) And of course the operator was filming. At one moment I thought that I am very close to dropping the KB. But I remembered what my cousin once told me "Try not to make so serious face while lifting" and it helped me to find some strengths to smile :)
I forgot to mention that while Robert was giving the interview I was showing snatch technique to our new girl. I did it with 12kg KB and didn't count it as reps. Only after the training I realized what a great job I did that time.

In the end of the training all guys felt as tired as after a competition. We really worked OUT :) But we all felt great and were looking forward to watch ourselves on the TV.

It was almost a week of waiting. And there came Sunday :) I wasn't with my team, but I knew that we all are sitting in front of our TVs and watching the program. And I felt like we were in the same room.

Just after the program Robert (coach) called me and asked if I will be able to download it anywhere. And of course I said 'Yes'. There was no other answer :)

So I got the program on my computer, cut the part about our training, translated the interview, recorded the English version and added it over the original video. I don't like my voice being recorded, but I am posting the result anyway :)(the sound quality is not very good, but I was in a hurry to post it :) I might try to improve it later):



Or you can watch the original piece with no changes:

One great team!

So... 10 days passed... And I am back from the Latvian cup, that was held in Jekabpils yesterday (7/Nov/2009).

We left Riga at 7:00a.m. Unfortunately, our coach Robert Innus couldn't go with us. He suddenly felt very sick and had to stay at home. We all were very upset, but decided to do our best and even better for our coach.

Couple of hours later we were in Jekabpils. Guys met us in a newly built sport hall, which was very nice and comfortable. Guys helped to set up the scoreboards and I was busy switching on the computer and preparing a secretary work space. Yes, I was both - a competitor and a secretary again :)
We started weighting at 10:00 and finished at about 11:30. There were 66 sportsmen present.

12:00 - the official opening ceremony. National anthem. Speeches. ...

This time girls were first to lift. There were 3 young girls (U-18) and 10 women. I was in the 3rd flight. The girl I was trying to win was in the second flight. It was very god for me, because I knew her result beforehand. I was warming up, but watched her all the time...

It was a funny moment while warming up. I took a yellow KB to lift it a couple of times... It suddenly felt too heavy... Level off stress went up as I thought "How am I going to lift this thing 70 times if I can barely make two reps?" At the same exact moment Eduard Trusevich came over and started to scream at me "What are you doing? Put it down!" I was shocked... Why would he stop me? The second after he told me the reason - "It is yellow, but it is 20kg!!!" :) So now I know - I can lift 20kg :) Maybe I can lift 24kg if I paint it yellow? :)

But let's get back to my story :)

Santa made 72 reps, which was very close to my personal best and I decided that I have to make at least the same to win (I am 6,5kg lighter than her). I made 45 reps with my right ... Everyone was shocked! Me too :) I switched hands after 6 minutes. I could do 30 reps with left hand at training. But something went wrong this time... Everything was fine, I was lifting the KB not thinking of numbers and felt great. But then my referee said 69... And switch off my automatic movement... I made another rep... 70... I needed just two more... I was looking for my coach... but he wasn't there... my team mates were somewhere far... my hand suddenly started to hurt as hell and didn't want to move... I had 1,5 minute... I was just 2 reps away from the champion title... I tried to make another rep... and... I dropped the ball :( I fell down to the floor and cried. I felt miserable... Since then I call myself "the greatest LOSER"...

But it was the only sad story of the day. The rest of my team was great!! Our new girl, who is 20y.o. made 123 reps with 12kg and became first in her weight category. One of our guys - Lauris Morovskis - broke his personal best, became the master of sport (national category) and became a new Latvian record holder among men (under 85kg).
Only one guy in our team went home without a medal. My team won in a relay race and we've got the first place and the cup among teams. So we are still the best even if there are such a losers like me in the team...

We've called our coach immediately to inform him that we are bringing the cup to Riga. He was very happy to hear it, still sad not to be with us. It was another great day for my team and we all drunk champagne from the cup in the bus on the way back :) Even me :) I am not drinking any alcohol ever, but this time I wanted to celebrate my team's and Lauris' victory and I wanted to forget my defeat.

You can see the results here.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a camera with us, so I don't have any video. It is very bad, because there were some great moments. Lauris was fighting for the record and it looked amazing. I wanted to see my technique, too. People say it is very good (some of them even say that it was the best among women). And the relay race was very interesting, too. I will try to find pics or videos from other teams. And I promise to post anything I find! (if there will be anything).

So, that's the story :) Sad and happy at the same time :) But it is what I like about sport. You can never know what is going to happen, but you can be sure that it will be a great experience anyway! :)


P.S.: the only thing that keeps me optimistic is that my result was second best not only in my weight category, but among all the women. And if you count the absolute result (weight lifted divided by the personal weight of an athlete) I am ... the best :) I hope it will help me to overcome the bitterness of the defeat.