Browndog! I'm sorry for the delayed reply. We just returned from the northwest yesterday and my laptop died during the trip so I wasn't able to post here until today. (These forums aren't much fun to read on a phone!) Browndog understates his performance at the meet--he was gutsy and good humored. After a failed second deadlift he stepped up and nailed his third attempt for a pr. I doubt I could have done that. Whenever I've missed a heavy deadlift--and BD's dead was HEAVY--I've never managed to come back and pull another rep without first unloading tens of pounds from the bar. But he did it, and earned a place on the medalist's stage. So we have a top-ranked national masters 3 competitor here in our forums!
The judges seemed extraordinarily strict at this meet. I couldn't tell why they red-lighted many of the competitors' lifts, especiallly Browndog's second dead. In a garage or commercial gym I don't think anyone would have noticed anything amiss with any of his lifts.
I feel proud and lucky to have met such a great guy--and a determined, serious lifter. His enthusiasm is contagious--I'm completely psyched now to begin another round of training! It was an intense, fun weekend, and BD, you definitely did not talk too much! Mrs. Codger was completely charmed.
So now we have to get ready for Chicago in 2019! (Can't pass up a chance to add to our jacket collection...)