Chasing Coan

In my opinion, Ed Coan is the greatest 220 pound lifter to ever grace the platform.  Yes, he competed at 242, but I think since Ed there have been better 242'rs to come along.  However, at 220, no one was even close to Ed.

On July 27th, 1991, Ed Coan did something that has stood the test of time.  He stood up with 901-pounds in the deadlift to 3 white lights.  As we roll into 2008, that record has stood for nearly 17 years.  And will most likely stand for another 20.  Just look at this years top 20 deadlifts in the 220s:

Deadlift

Rank	Name	Federation	Date	Deadlift
1.	Matt Kroczaleski	WPO	2007-03-03	782
2.	Larry Hook	WPO	2007-03-03	760
3.	Mike Schwanke	IPA	2007-08-19	755
4.	Dondell Blue	WPO	2007-03-03	744
5.	Sam Byrd	APF	2007-09-15	732
6.	Joe Norman	APF	2007-06-17	721
7.	Husain Abdulaziz	APF	2007-10-20	715
8.	Tee Myers	WNPF	2007-02-10	710
9.	Travis Mash	WPO	2007-03-03	705
9t.	Pat Roberts	APF	2007-04-14	705
9t.	Shawn Frankl	WPO	2007-03-03	705
12.	Konstantin Milyutin	IPA	2007-08-19	680
13.	Lance Mosley	APF	2007-06-17	677
13t.	Marcus Brandon	APC	2007-06-23	677
13t.	Clint Smith	APF	2007-12-02	677
16.	Rick Walker	IPA	2007-06-24	675
17.	Tom Bollig	APF	2007-11-10	673
18.	Brad King	APF	2007-03-10	672
18t.	Tyson Hubbard	APF	2007-03-24	672
18t.	Chris Mason	WPO	2007-03-03	672
21.	Ken Richardson	APF	2007-03-24	666

No one is even within 100 pounds of Coan 17 years later.  I might add I am #16... ;)

So why did I title this blog post "Chasing Coan".  Well, one day not too long ago my training partners and I were discussing deadlifts.  I told them that I would like to take a run at Ed's record of 901, and at first it seemed so far in the distance.  My PR is 715, a massive 186-pounds away from Coan's huge pull.  But then I got to thinking.  In 2000 my best pull was 560.  In 8 years I have added 155-pounds on my deadlift.  Now, there were a number of years in that time frame where I focused on strongman and grip and didn't do much deadlifting, so let's cut that down to 5 years.  In 5 years I have put 155 pounds on my deadlift.  That was in a time frame from age 22 to age 30 without a real heavy focus on pulling or powerlifting in general.  Now I am 30 and I plan on competing, God willing and if my health holds up, until I am 40.  If I can add 20 pounds a year to my deadlift, by the time I am 40 I will be at 915-pounds.

Doable?  I don't know.  When you look at it like that, 20 pounds a year for 10 years, it sure seems doable.  I mean, I added 155-pounds in 8 years, most of which wasn't spent focusing on the deadlift.  And now I have access to better equipment and a great training crew to push me.  What it comes down to is am I motivated enough and can I hold up long enough without an injury or some other health problem?

It is going to be a fun and crazy ride, but I am ready and willing to get on it.  7 more days till I get the green light to resume training.  I see my doctor next Monday and I am praying everything is good and she green lights me to get back to it.  Keep me in your thoughts.

-Rick 

Comments

[Nick McKinless]

That's just insane Rick! However, I don't doubt that you will bloody well do it either!!!
I would like to one day, despite my gammy back, deadlift 700lbs. That will be amazing for me. First stop is to get back to 600lbs, then 660lbs and finally the 700lbs. Let's see what 2008 brings us all.

Nick

[Laurence Shahlaei]

fair play Rick. Nick has told me alot about you and your deadlifting ability. my aim for 2008 will be 800lbs and one day 1000lbs. good luck with your training and i hope you reach your goals.

Loz

[pwrlftr220]

Loz-

Awesome to have you here reading my blog! Your 748 pull looks bad ass bro, no doubt you have 800 in you this year. I would like to get 775-800 by the end of the year as well, either at 220 or a light 242.

Good luck to you bro, I trully hope you get that grand!

-Rick