The Ardvorlich Stone Shouldered - 152kg / 335lbs / 24 stone - A Stone Lifter's Journey

The Ardvorlich Stone Shouldered - 152kg / 335lbs / 24 stone

Ardvorlich Stone

(Andy Crawford -  4th person to shoulder the Ardvorlich Stone)

When I started my stone lifting journey around four years ago (2019)  I had never heard of the Scottish historic stones. The only stones I'd heard of were the Dinnie Stones, so I decided to train to lift them.  This process was hampered by the Covid-19 lockdowns, but as a result I managed to not only lift them, but beat my target of a 5 second unassisted lift.  I ended up holding them for around 18 second. I went back for a second lift with no equipment and in a shirt and tie, one of a handful of people to do this:

So, that was that.  I had achieved my goal and smashed my targets.  I also raised over £500 for cancer research UK, many thanks to all those who sponsored me!

'What next?'  Was the question on my mind and, also, something many of my friends and family were asking.  I did some research online and found out that there were many other historic lifting stones in Scotland.  I read over the articles by the later Peter Martin on https://www.oldmanofthestones.com/visiting-the-stones and decided that I fancied giving them a try. I became inspired by all of the trail blazers who had lifted the stones previously and started watching their videos on YouTube.  

My first outing was to the 118kg Inver Stone. This should have been easy right?  I had just lifted 333kg Dinnie Stones, so a mere 118kg should be child's play... How wrong I was, having no experience on a lifting stone without ring(s), it's safe to say that the Inver kicked my backside (or in this case my left bicep).  I felt a 'twang' after just getting the wind beneath this stone and had to walk away with my tail between my legs. Back to the drawing board, as it were.

What to do now?  Well, again, I did some research and got an idea of how to make my own stone training aid.  A pilates ball filled with gravel and duct taped.  Enter: Frankenstone MK1.  

After some training with the the 107kg Frankenstone, it was time to get back out there and try a more modest historic stone.  Off we went to the 105kg Barevan stone and I managed a shoulder lift.  This was it, I was hooked.  There is no better feeling than conquering the weight, getting the balance and taking the hand away. I wanted to shoulder everything, including the Ardvorlich.

Training continued and I managed to go and shoulder the lighter stones such as the Newtonmore (101kg) and the Dalwhinny (102kg)

Long story short, things were going very well and training was going from strength to strength.  Things I didn't think were possible were happening, for example I shouldered 120kg sandbag without too many attempts. 

This then put me in a position to go and attempt the Auchernack stones at 102kg and 130kg.  The 130kg has not been shouldered by many people, so I went with full respect and hoped for at least a chest lift. Unbelievably, on my 3rd attempt, it popped up to shoulder.  This was one of the key points in my stone lifting jounrey, the realisation that with belief and specific training, I could achieve things that I never thought were possible. 

It was at this point I mapped out a long-term game-plan in my mind to shoulder all of the mainland Scottish stones, apart from the Strathmore of Durness.  I would continue to train with specifically natural stones and sandbags.  I trained high-frequency, high-intensity and low volume for consistent stimulus and keep injury chances low. In addition to this, I also planned out the stones I would lift. I put them into 'brackets' of weight and would peak my training for each stone visit.  This went flawlessly and before I knew it, I had shoulded all of the light and 'intermediate weight' stones.  The next jump up was the Glen Roys (133kg and 137kg).

I noted that the Glen Roys, in particular, the 137kg 'Grey Mountain' had been shouldered by less than 5 people at the time I would visit.  Again, I went with confidence, but some doubt, as some very experienced and strong lifters had struggled with these stones to shoulder. To my great surprise and elation, I managed to shoulder the 137kg on my second attempt. This was a similar,  but even more significant, moment in my journey as the site, the stone, my girlfiend and good friend being there to cheer me on was just amazing. This is still probably my second favourite stone lift so far.  I won't speak too much about the 133kg, it kicked my backside as it was wet and slippy, took me around 8 attempts to lap the thing, then a very awkward battle to shoulder ensued, but I got it done none-the-less.  Apologies to those present as the frustration was overwhelming. 

My attention then turned to the 145kg Logie Kirk stone and, finally, the ultimate goal of the 152kg Ardvolich.  Was this possible?  How can things be going so well?  Why is my training carrying over to the historic stones so well?  These were all questions I started thinking about, but I simply increased my volume/weight on my training lifts.  I began strapping weight plates to my 133kg Mar Stone and progressively overloaded, slow and steady. 

With low expecations and a realistic goal of a shoulder attempt, I went on a summer stone tour and attempted the Ardvorlich.  The lift attempt went exactly as expected, and, after around 9 attempts to lap it, I went for the shoulder.  It was a 'classic Ardvorlich' shoulder fail as those who have been close have experienced before, it went close and then 'bucked off' at the last push.  It really is a very unbalanced ston, compounded in difficulty by it's significant weight. Overall, I was pleased to be in a small group of only three or so people who had gotten close to a shoulder lift. (Aside from only two who had achieved a shoulder lift at this point in time)

Next it was the 145kg Logie Kirk stone.  This stone has only been shouldered by two people so far.  Could I be the 3rd?  I headed down to try it, I was quite sick with a cold and fairly 'tender' after a few adult beverages on the Saturday evening.  It was a damp Sunday winter's morning and I just wasn't really feeling it.  However, after around 8 or 9 attempts, the stone went up.  This was a major battle and struggle, although I achieved the lift, it felt like some luck was involved. How could I possibly add 7kg to this for the Ardvorlich Stone weighing a huge 152kg?

Back I went to training.  Specifically focusing on small increases with my sandbag to shoulder training.  My training buddy Michael also had a 153.5kg natural stone which I had my sights on.  If  I could confidently shoulder a 150kg+ sandbag and a 153.5kg natural stone, then I'd be ready for the Ardvorlich. A few months later I had achieved both of these goals - with a 155.6kg sandbag to shoulder and 153.5kg natural stone to shoulder, both done on several occasions, mostly first or second attempts. I now felt ready to achieve my ultimate goal, the main stone lifting 'life-long career goal' - to shoulder the mighty 152kg Ardvorlich stone.  By now, a third person had added their name to this elite list. I was laser-focused on being the 4th.  

On the eve of my 35th birthday, my girlfriend took me on a surprise trip.  A wee birthday stone tour.  The Ardvorlich was nearby, and I knew I had a couple of stone tours in the summer anyway, so why not give it a feel and a lift, try to solve the puzzle.  To my absolute joy and surprise I gave it a bash and it popped up to shoulder (far too easily) on my 2nd try.  I was overcome with a sense of emotion and pride.  This had been my goal...a single-minded aim for almost a year after my first attempt.  I never let anything get in the way or distract me from this goal, and to achieve it was just so surreal.  At the time of writing, I have shouldered it successfully 4 times and another one time was a shoulder with no hand away (which I don't count).  On further thought, his means that I have shouldered the stone more than anyone else on record as the other lifters who have shouldered it only did so once. I also believe that I am the lightest lifter to shoulder it, weighing in at 106kg at the time of lifting. 

I write this brief account of my journey for my own record/prosterity.  However, I also hope that it may be of some use to aspiring lifters, to show them that even an average person (lifetime drug free, with a regular job (teacher),  no coach or sponsor, and fairly modest body weight) can achieve their goals.  The key takeaways for me were:  

1. Consistency (for example, taken as an average, I never missed a training session - I trained on Christmas eve and New Years eve for example) On average I trained 4 times per week. 

2. Intensity - I always training with passion and intent, never going through the motions.  Even with lighter weights I would deploy maximum speed.

3.  I set goals - both short and long term.  This was key to keep motivated and hit 'check-points'/'milestones'

4. I had very consistent nutrition, in particular hitting my daily protein goal

5.  I had a great training buddy - we would push each other to achieve what we didnt think was possible.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way. In particular my girlfriend Dawn.