ONE FOR THE BOOKS. OLYMPIA WASHINGTON.

To view the Press Release of this Article Click HERE.

The Third Annual Pacific Open Bench Press and Deadlift Championships.
The Valley Athletic Club.
September 13th 2008.

If ever a Powerlifting Contest resembled a Pro-Sports "All Star Game", This was the Contest. The amount of Records both attempted and set and the National/World Class lifts completed, for the number of lifters was truly astounding! Go to the The World Association of Bench Pressers and Deadlifters to see all of the statistics to this Tournament and you will be amazed.

How did "The Vancouver Powerlifting Club" perform? Lets go back to when Robert, Nancy and I left from Vancouver on Friday, September 12th and find out. As always the drive to the Border and down the I-5 was a lot of fun, a lot of laughs and time seemed to go by quickly. We all weighed in successfully below our weight Division limits then went to a Mexican Restaurant to replenish.

Thank goodness for "Bottomless" Nachos and Salsa! I think Nancy and I consumed chips and salsa continuously until the Main Courses arrived. Next time Robert has to bring his "A" game to the Dinner Table to keep up. After a great meal and as always, great conversation (it always a great time with Robert and Nancy) it was time to rest relax and get ready for "The Pacific Open Bench Press and Deadlift Championships".

The Vancouver Powerlifting Club reconvened the next morning for Breakfast downstairs at the Hotel at about 7:45 am. After loading up on the perfect pre-contest fuel, by mimicking everything Nancy ate, we were on our way to the contest which was about 5 minutes away.

The Contest:
The warm-up area was spacious, we used the Fitness Centre which attaches to the gym where the contest was located and gave our selves a lot of time for a "Stress Free" environment. The warm-ups went off without a hitch, on to the "Third Annual Pacific Open Bench Press and Deadlift Championships", Nancy, Robert and I are ready to lift...

Nancy Carpenter: First Place Bench Press./198 lbs. at 148 lbs. Division, 45 - 49 WABDL Women's Canadian Record. An incredible feat of strength, almost 200 lbs. Nancy is always focused, stoic and of course powerful. A 200 lbs. Bench Press and beyond is hers in the near future. This I promise. Nancy is also the Best Coach I could ever have.

Robert O Smith: First Place Bench Press./545 lbs. at 308 lbs, Division, 65+ Master Men's. To see the real story of Roberts contest go to Benchbozo.blogspot.com to see his two valiant attempts at 600 lbs.on video. Robert is already the strongest Bench Presser over 65 years in the world but, astoundingly Robert seems to be just getting started. 600 lbs. will happen dramatically at the WABDL World Championships this November in Las Vegas.

Jody Cranston: First Place Bench Press./375 lbs. at 181 lbs. Division, Sub-Master WABDL Canadian Men's Record~and~First Place Deadlift/568 lbs. at 181 lbs. Division, Sub-Master Men. First, the Bench Press. I am very happy with 375 lbs., it felt fast and controlled, I know I will be able to do even more in the future. Now, the Deadlift. My final lift, 568 lbs. was solid, almost light...almost. I can't wait to try heavier in the future.

The Aftermath:
I love Statistics, especially good ones like "The Vancouver Powerlifting Club's" for this meet. But, usually the true highlights for any meet lies between the numbers, this tournament was no different. Robert and Nancy's two attempts at over 600 lbs. and 200 lbs. respectively cannot be overstated. I know my tenacious friends and teammates will break those barriers soon. The overall quality of the lifting at this contest was Phenomenal, better lifts then most Federations Nationals. As always the experience was awesome, especially with Robert and Nancy to share it with.

Post Script:
After the tournament I realized that I didn't get my Medals. I was warming up for the Deadlift when the Bench Press Awards Presentation was happening. By the time they were presenting the Deadlift Awards to my division they ran out. They are being mail to me. I told Richard Schuller,(a Multi-National Champion) no problem about the Awards, Leamon Woodley (one of the Great All Time U.S. Lifters) told me "Good Lifting". I said to Richard that means more than any Award..."It certainly does" he said, "It certainly does".

(Pictures Courtesy of Robert O Smith.)
(Jody Cranston / Events).

TAILA"BABYCAKES"CRANSTON

Don't worry about Canada's performance at The 2008 Beijing Olympics. The real Canadian Sports Story is Taila"Babycakes"Cranston accomplishing the incredible feat of 12 "Paddle-Splashes" in 10 seconds.

Although it was "Babycakes" first venture into Water Sports The Mighty Toddler stunned the capacity crowd with her unprecedented success. "Aaaba Aaaba Aaaba" she eloquently stated to Press Row moments afterward, can a Clothing Line or Product endorsements be far behind? Probably not.

Stay tuned for more adventures from Taila"Babycakes"Cranston.

(Jody Cranston / Events).

NEW RECORD FOR CRANSTON

From The Richmond News, Wednesday July 27,2004...
NEW RECORD FOR CRANSTON

Richmond's Jody Cranston set a new WABDL Canadian Sub-Master Record for the Deadlift at a powerlifting meet in Tacoma, Wa. last weekend.

The 34-year-old Owner of Powershape Personal Training successfully lifted 585 lbs. at a body weight of 176 lbs. The lift also earned him the best overall trophy beating out all the other competitors at the event.

"I'm very satisfied with my training and this accomplishment", said Cranston, who has established several WABDL Canadian Records at different weight classes in his career.

"I can't wait to see what I do at my next meets."

MY REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO.

Someone once said:"There are only two ways to become Wealthy; Stocks and Real Estate". If you are a Great Businessman, Tenacious, and don't mind a Gamble, like my Grandpa Diamond Joe Williams, Stocks are fine. For the rest of us there is Real Estate. Here are The Four Properties that make up my Real Estate Portfolio:

1)~Port Edward~;Prince Rupert.
Lot Size: 60x100, 6,000 Sq.Ft.
So much of Investing in Northern B.C. is speculating on future Infrastructure.
Prince Rupert is a growing Port City. Guaranteed Infrastructure. Big Infrastructure.

2)~Kittimatt~;North Coast.
Lot Size: Corner Lot, 7,345 Sq.Ft.
Beautiful Coastal Area. Big Game Hunting, Fishing and all kinds of Outdoor Sports. This Property is also close to a Golf Coarse. Incredible Long-term Potential.

3)~Townhome~;Lower Mainland.
Lot Size: Strata.
3 level Townhome that faces a Park and backs onto a Court Yard. This Property has Doubled in value since it was purchased in 2004.

4)~Logan Lake~:Kamloops.
Lot Size: 59x110, 6,490 Sq.Ft.
In 2007 The Lower Mainland increased in 18% in Value. The Island 24%. The Okanagan a Whopping 28%. That's all nice and everything but, Kamloops beat them all and increased 31% in Value. This Property is close to loads of Future Development and is a few yards from Lakefront.

So there you have it, my Real Estate Portfolio...and I know what you are thinking: "I knew Jody could lift weights and run a Personal Training Business but, I didn't know that he knew so much about Investing in Real Estate". Actually, everything I learned about Investing, I learned from my Uncle and Real Estate Salesman Extraordinaire Brady Williams. I wouldn't buy or sell Real Estate with anyone else. Ever. If my Uncle doesn't believe in what you are buying, or wouldn't buy it himself, he won't sell it to you. That's right, he physically will not write up the Contract. "Buy this from another Agent, I won't sell it to you". He once told me if I ever mention Investing in Strata again, he will hang-up on me. How do you not deal with someone that honest? I have a lot of Respect for my Grandpa and my Uncle. And, I am very proud of my Real Estate Portfolio.

(Post Script).
I think my Investing days are over for a while, its time for me to play the "End Game" and finish paying everything off. The Market seems quite Volatile right now. Sales Volume in B.C. is down 40% from July 2007 to July 2008 and yet, prices are only down 1%. Then again, it looks like we are entering a "Buyers Market" and I would really like to own something on the Island....

(Jody Cranston / Business)

MONSTER MUSCLE MAGAZINE.

Jody Cranston of Canada wins 1st place in Bull Stewart's Powerlifting Meet in Seattle, WA.

(Reprinted from Monster Muscle Magazine Oct 2003).

DEADLIFT MAX. WORKOUT.

I Statistically had my Best Deadlift Workout in over a year. 565 lbs. for 1 Rep./500 lbs. for 5 Reps. All the Volume Training that I have been doing is paying off (455 lbs. 2 Sets for Reps./405 lbs 2 Sets for Reps). I do my Volume Training wearing Runners with really thick soles and an insole on top of that. When its time to Max-out, like Today, I put on my Deadlift Slippers. When I wear these Slippers I am Slightly closer to the ground. Now, I don't have to reach down as far to lift the Bar off the ground or pull the weight up quite as far to lock-out. Amazing what a difference an inch of leverage can make...and a little hard work. I can't wait to see what I am Deadlifting/Bench Pressing next. This Programme works.

(Jody Cranston / PSL)

BOB OWEN-HIGHLAND GAMES CHAMPION!

I would like to congratulate my Good Friend Bob Owen on his Silver Medal at "The 2008 B.C. Highland Games Championships". To place 2nd in a field of over 30 Strength Athletes is an Incredible Accomplishment. Bob is The Strongest Person that I have ever trained with: well over 600 lbs. Deadlifts for Reps.,endless Highland Games Victories, Canada's Strongest Man Television Appearances and the humility/character of a true Champion. I am Proud to have Bob Owen as my Friend.

(Jody Cranston / Events).

THE PANTHEON STRENGTH LEGION-JULY UPDATE!

Although it is Summer Time, The Pantheon Strength Legion is still going strong, both literally and figuratively.

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

Bob Owen - Fresh off Victory at "The 2008 B.C. Highland Games" started the session off with Heavy Power-Cleans and a 315 lbs. Push-Presses for Reps.

Jody Cranston - Jodys First Deadlift Work-Out after Winning "The Alki Beach Bench Press and Deadlift Championships" Produced a 555 lbs Deadlift for Two Reps.

Pete - Pulled an All-Time Personal Record 365 lbs. Deadlift.

Ian - Who is Training for a Half Marathon, Deadliftied 315 lbs. for Reps. A Half Marathon and Powerlifting, talk about "Cross-Training".

After "The Deadlift Extravaganza" we did a Power Circuit of Light Squats, Heavy Shrugs and Abs. Great Day! Great Work-Out!

(Jody Cranston / PSL).

PICTURES FROM ALKI BEACH.

The 12th Annual Alki Beach Powerlifting Championships.
(Part 2 Pictures and Postscript)

I am very Proud to call Robert O and Nancy my Friends. Part of what I enjoy the most about competing in these Contests is helping Coach, sort out equipment and give Robert O and Nancy Lift-offs on their Record Breaking Bench Presses. My Father Pat was a Great Man and a Great Sportsman, Coach and Organizer. I know when I help my Friends Robert O and Nancy lift he would be smiling...possibly even more then when I am lifting. I think I'm starting to Understand what is really important. Thanks Dad.

THEY CALL ME...MR.DOUBLE-TRIPLE.

The 12th Annual Alki Beach Powerlifting Championships.

(Part 1 Statistics and Summary)

The Title of this Blog Entry is borrowed liberally from The 1967 Academy Award Winning Motion Picture "In The Heat Of The Night", Starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.

THE STATISTICS: -Jody Cranston- 181lbs. Division, 1st Place./Bench Press: 370 lbs.(WABDL) Canadian Record/Deadlift: 557 lbs. Double Bodyweight+ Bench Press and a Triple Bodyweight+ Deadlift. -Robert O Smith- 308 lbs. Division, 1st Place./Bench Press: 562 lbs.(WABDL) World Record. -Nancy Carpenter- 148 lbs. Division, 1st Place/Bench Press: 192 lbs.(WABDL) Canadian Record.

THE SUMMARY: Although I have never been Excited about Lifting Outdoors in the past, and I have Lifted Outdoors, this all changed with this Contest. Thank You Robert O and Nancy for talking me into Alki, I won't miss this Contest again.

Up at 3:15 am. I pick up Robert O and Nancy by 4:20 am and we are on our way! The Ride is smooth with minimal traffic and Border line ups. We arrive at Alki Beach before 8:00 am and weigh in. You know that you are at an Outdoor Meet when Robert O has a weigh-in problem,not his weight, branches from surrounding Trees keep getting in the way of the scale. Time for Breakfast. I've always had problems with what to eat hours before lifting, not any longer. The last few Meets I've left the Menu in the hands of an Expert: Nancy Carpenter. The positive results are immediate, Today's Pre-Contest Meal: Two Poached Eggs, Toast, a shot of Espresso. Perfect. I feel ready to Lift.

~The Bench Press~ The Meet starts on time and the Lifter Flights are short. I feel extremely rushed during my Warm-ups. To add to the challenges the Bench uprights are low, this means I have to do a half lift just to get the Bench into starting position. The Beach has now gotten quite windy. Although those challenges are difficult for a Technique Lifter like myself, The Grizzled Veteran in me knows when I hit the platform it will all be different......or will it.

Time for my Opening Bench Press Attempt: 319 lbs. I have the Bench Up-rights adjusted perfectly and Robert O is my Lift-off Man, also perfect. The bar comes down slow and controlled, than shoots up fast. It feels light. I confidently get up from the Bench already thinking of my Second attempt when I get the News: Two red lights - No Lift. The two side judges said I lifted my butt, which Nancy confirms. I repeat my opener, (text-book strategy) and more determined then ever, nail it: For the Third attempt I lift 341 lbs., it seems surprisingly light.

Time to go for The Canadian WABDL Bench Press Record on my fourth and Final Attempt. 370 lbs, well over Double my Bodyweight!! The "Team" is on. Perfect words of encouragement from Nancy matched by a Perfect Lift-off from Robert O. 370 lbs. Flies up. The Lift is good, no The Lift is Perfect!!

Robert O and Nancy do incredibly well with their Record Smashing Bench Presses. Robert O once again Proves himself to be the Best 65+ year-old Bench Presser on the The Planet by Lifting 562 lbs. with Precise Judging and Technique. I gave Robert O the Lift-offs and believe me, his Lifts would easily stand in any Federation. Nancy Benches 192 lbs. for a WABDL Canadian Record. The fact that Nancy lifted that weight in the 148 lbs. division is Phenomenal. Nancy also doesn't receive any Red lights on any of her lifts. That is nine out of nine White Lights. Awesome!

~The Deadlift~ Like the Bench Press, the warm-ups for the Deadlifts I find extremely difficult, only now there is a Blazing Afternoon Sun to contend with. Being an Outdoor meet, the Deadlift warm-ups are on the grass, anything over 400 lbs. sinks deeper into the Earth! By the time the Bar is loaded to 475 lbs. I have to reach 2 inches farther down to the Bar and therefore pull 2 Inches further up, plus the weights are lopsided. Having said all that, I am really enjoying this meet. The Adverse conditions keep things exciting, interesting.

My opening attempt is 519 lbs. No problem. My second attempt is 557 lbs, seventeen pounds more then Triple my Bodyweight and The Weight flies up fast. I feel ready for more except for one thing, something has really tightened in my Glute-Hamstring Area. Nancy, who is my Deadlift Coach notices that I am limping. After discussing the injury for several minutes, and several strategies, I respect Nancy's expert advise and do not take a Third and Final Attempt (588 lbs.). It's been a Great Meet for all of us, why get injured further, possibly seriously and miss the next one. The Drive home is full of food, stories and laughter. Thank you Robert O and Nancy, this Truly was one for the Books.

(Jody Cranston / Events)