WHITSTONE’S Rob Long admits he made a ‘fundamental mistake’ by not staying in Essex the night before after coming 19th in the Britain’s Strongest Man Novice final on Saturday.

The 27-year-old who trains with Sean Spillane at SS Powerlifting Gym in Camelford failed to produce anything like his best at the Great Dunmow Recreation Ground after leaving home at 4.30am the same morning.

He said: “It wasn’t the best I’m afraid. I made the fundamental mistake of travelling up on the day. Everyone else went up the night before and that was problem with it really, I was just shattered.

“Me and my mum shared the driving and got up there at about 10.30. My coach said I’d make a mistake and it was one which he’d made before. Another thing which didn’t help was the fact that the start got delayed by an hour. Everyone had started warming up, and it just messed everything up.”

With five disciplines scheduled to happen, Rob admitted he struggled.

He said: “With the log, there was no lift as I couldn’t press it over my head and with the deadlift which was 240kgs I managed eight reps. The winner managed 14 reps which was just incredible.

“I then did the Yolk walk and the frame carry (240kg) and we had to do it in a minute and I did the frame carry in about 24 seconds.

“The last event was supposed to be the kettlebell throwing but because they were running late they made it just the top 12, and because I was 19th I didn’t get to do it, which was a bit annoying.”

Knowing he didn’t perform to his best, Rob is already back in the gym.

He said: “All of the guys who were in the top ten are probably having some time off but I’m already back in training and have been all of this week.

“The whole thing was definitely an experience. I’ve learnt to go up the night before and I need to overcome the nerves and make sure I eat enough so that I’m ready.

“Also with a strongman competition, it’s about doing well in all of the events and being consistent, but to be honest, everything just felt so heavy and I was exhausted.”

So what are his plans now?

Rob said: “The goal now is to get stronger and continue to increase my size and keep stepping everything up. I’ve been looking at entering London’s Strongest Man in January.

“I’ll keep looking on Facebook and I’d like to do between four and six events next year.

“But I’d like to thank my partner Alana and my mum Fay for their support. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be able to do it.”