Page 38 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 113

38 Issue #113 June 2022
Diary of a Weightlifter
The Psychological Challenges
of the Master
By Thorin Gault
n last month’s column, we looked
Iat the specific physical challenges
faced by Master weightlifters (35+
years old) compared to younger
athletes. This month we will consider
the psychological challenges unique
to a Master lifter.
There are essentially two types of
competitive Master weightlifters.
There are those like me who began
the sport after the age of 35. While
I had lifted weights recreationally, I
had not done a snatch or clean and
jerk before the age of 38 and started
competing shortly thereafter.
The second type of Master lifter
is the athlete who competed in their
younger years. While there are
exceptions to the rule, almost all these
lifters took an extended break from
the sport before returning to the sport. about Master lifters or weightlifters
Both groups share the psychological
challenge of what I call hitting The
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“Livin’ The Dream”
Senior Tips...
can be bought at the store down the
street. Not the stationery store - where
Wall. Essentially, you hit The Wall did they go? - but the office supply
when progress not only stops, but the store. Everyone needs a nice pen.
inevitable decline of numbers begins. Until they don’t. Have you noticed
Plateaus are a reality at all ages, that if you ask person to “Write this
but there comes a time in a Master down!” or “Do you have a pen?”,
they whip out their phone and make
weightlifter’s life when the amount
a few pokes at it. There’s an app for
of weight they can lift WILL start to
that. You can always find a pen in
decrease and will continue to do so as the junk drawer…maybe next to the
they age. bookmarks.
This can be difficult for the ego to Every woman carried a
handle. Long hours of hard training By Janeen Wagemans handkerchief, often monogrammed
are made easier knowing that you are with embroidered edges. They made
still making forward progress. When he development of technology is a lovely gift. Personal. Decorative.
that progress is halted and even starts Tlike a slow-moving earthquake Useful. Always appreciated.
to move backwards, it is tougher to subtly changing the way we live our Remember those?
convince yourself to keep going. lives without anyone even noticing. A calendar! Essential. Purse-
At 48 years old, I have certainly hit It used to be easy to give friends sized to keep appointment reminders
the beginnings of The Wall, but I have small, convenient gifts that were handy! In a pretty case. And what
managed to delay the decline longer thoughtful and useful. Everyone woman doesn’t have a purse?
than most lifters and actually made wrote letters. Who wouldn’t A purse, of course, was always
the heaviest snatch of my life just last appreciate some lovely stationery - within reach of any lady, from
pretty paper with matching envelopes? a teenager in ripped jeans to the
year. A pearl-handled letter opener was Queen. No woman would be seen
A big challenge faced by the second once a useful gift, but is now a relic without a purse nearby. Until
group of Master lifters who competed of a bygone time, gathering dust on a she wasn’t. Purses held all the
in their younger years is that they must shelf somewhere. necessities. A lipstick, a “compact”
resign themselves to the fact that they When was the last time you for pressed or loose powder, a pen,
will most probably lift significantly received a friendly letter in the mail? that handkerchief, keys, credit cards,
less than they used to. This is also a Bookmarks were a charming small and cash. Back in the day, they
major blow to the ego. I have seen gift - always handy. Until more and were as large as suitcases and called
talented Master lifters who had the more people were converted to the handbags. But they got smaller. And
potential to be World Champions, convenience of digital reading. Now smaller. The need for things to tote
but they were just not be able to get bookmarks end up in the junk drawer. about diminished. Keys became
over the lower numbers and they quit Key fobs made a nice gift. Personal. numbers, lipstick was less a necessity,
shortly after beginning. Distinctive. We all had that friend who the smartphone replaced cash and
So, how do lifters get past these attached her keys to a big puffy pink the credit card. Everything could be
psychological challenges? Most ball because she was always losing done with a tap. And noses go about
just focus on the process of training her keys. Keys opened everything. everywhere. The purse was replaced
week after week with purpose. Others The house. The car. They were by a “wristlet” to carry the phone, and
many, and heavy, and jingled in old finally disappeared altogether into a
focus on the fun and camaraderie of men’s pockets. No one noticed when pocket.
competition. Many feed the ego in the convenience of number code Like a quiet, slow-moving
part by striving for titles and medals house locks began to appear. And earthquake, the way we live our daily
competing against people their own the car unlocked with an app on the has changed incrementally. It isn’t a
age. phone. Digital keys. When did that good thing, or a bad thing, but it is a
The one thing that is NOT unique happen? thing. If you look for evidence, just
A nice pen is always a lovely, useful peek in the junk drawer.
in general is that we all must find our gift. Not fountain pens anymore, but a Still have the urge to offer a
own motivation for doing what we do. nice ball point, or fine marker. Refills thoughtful gift? Think chocolates!