Not overly happy with the yoke. The warm up all felt heavy. I was due to to do 3 at 250kg. But I only did 210kg, 230kg and 250kg. Video below.
Duck walk straight to 90kg. I did 3. I used 20kg plates up high as this is as awkward as I can make it. The duck walk is not “hard” its just awkward. So I thought to make it as hard as possible.
After this I did good mornings from pins.
Then Belt squat SS with curls
And then abs roll outs.
Also took the boy with me. He was GREAT. Video below. The guys at the gym really look after him. He’s some sort of super start.
Thank you.
Im not sure about killing it. I’m pretty sure I’ll not finish top 10. This is a feeder for Britains best novice.
However I can’t decide what place I come. But I can train form a time and or reps.
Log is 7-8 teps
Dead lift is 8-10
Farmers is a sub 17 seconds
Yoke is sub 30
And duck walk sub 20.
Viking press 100kg 5 reps. This is set 2 of 3. Fairly easy. Well not easy.
Also did de deadlifts. 2 sets of 6 at 140+ big chains.
Seated shoulder press 3x6 50kg per arm
Then some other stuff. Also did ski erg 100m sprint. 17.6 seconds. If I can get under 17 seconds I get a free hoddie…
those yoke runs look really good. The next time you take a run with a heavy yoke, try to do the transition like you will in the competition. NO pause. That served no purpose for you. It’s not like you recovered at all, that was all mental. You need to embrace the fact that it’s just going to suck. Be prepared to drop it, turn around and pick as quickly as you can without thinking about it. You won’t be able to do it on competition day if you don’t practice it. That’s where you’ll save the most time, your foot speed is already really good. You spent 7 seconds on that transition though… I believe you can get it down to 3 or better.
Will be following the rest of your prep! That’s A LOT of carrying for one show, that would be awful for me. I’m making my return to strongman two weekends from now. We’ve got a hercules hold for time, an axle clean and press for max reps (clean each rep), a yoke/keg medley, and a max 14" deadlift.
Flip - its so see you back on the forums. And its a privilege to have you follow my prep.
Thank you - they did not feel very good. They felt slow. But I think thats just because I have 250kg on my shoulders. Time slows down a bit lol. And between yourself and wsmwanabe picked up the fact I’m practising the weights. But not the race. I’m not getting myself into the proper “every half second counts” mentality in training. Now I know this I’m changing it a bit. I’m attacking it a bit more.
As for the carrying - this suit me a - I like moving events. I want to place top 5 in farmers. I think 15-16 seconds is within my grasp.
I’m not looking forward to the log. I can see me getting 5-7 reps only. But we will see on the day. Who knows - maybe I’ll smash it and get 10 reps…
Yoke from today. This is comp weight. Got the turn right down to 3 seconds. I was also fortunate enough to have the gym owner on site today. The guy is a LEGEND. His name is Jason Hughes and he is filming. He is and ex pro strong man. Had to retire due to injury. The guy is a real student of the game. The advice I had today was amazing. Little things. Like the first few steps after you pick up should be SMALL - but fast. When you pick up the weight, it’s already unsteady - and big steps will make this worse. Go small but quick for 3 steps. It will steady the weight and let you speed up afterwards.
Duck walk - 20m return 100kg. I rushed this - 30 second after the yoke. And my back gave out. Not too fussed. Also the 20 plate are an arse hole thing to work with.
There is one “black mark” on the day. The First attempted at the 260kg yoke I failed. As is - didn’t even get it off the ground. I really didn’t engage. I’m worried this will happen on the day now. But the second time out I was more in gear. I need the anger to get ready.
Other things - 180kg dead lift into bands 5 sets of 3. This was harder than I expected. I’m not sure how much the bands add. But DAM this was hard. And even thought I only did sets of 3 I think I had a 5 in me first of. So add a few more for the min timer. I think the 200kg for time will be 7-9.
Done a farmers - this was much quicker on the turn video below.
This was great. Sub 17 is on the cards. I’m looking forward to this one. I want to place on this event. I mean I want to place in all of the events. But if there was one I think I can - it’s this one.
Log push press from blocks. Managed a few singles. 103, then 105, then 100. The 105 was a struggle. Almost died. No video but it was ugly. had to fight it for maybe 5 seconds. But yeah - this is the first time I’ve had over 100kg over head.
Over all a great week training. one more day tomorrow with DE deadlifts. And then viking press. Nothing too killer.
Had my first go at the max log in 60 seconds. I had the gym attendant give me the lift command every 10 seconds. In an attempt to get 6 good lifts in. It worked a treat. Got all 6 in. And had spare time at the start (between reps 1/2/3/4) to possibly squeeze in rep 7.
Now this is the question. Keep the pace for 6 reps or go all out for 7 and risk getting 5?
I think risk it.
I’m a bit worried about missing out on a rep that way. But I’d rather fail going 100% than do okay and wonder how much more I had. I always said 5-6 was the goal. If I can get to 7 that would be good. I think I’ll be looking at a top 1/2 of the comp.
So my weekly round up has devolved slightly as I’ve had news. Apologies. But back to normally service.
2 training days since last check in.
Saturday - yoke. The gyms got a new yoke. Its 200kg empty. I love it. Its a beast to get in and out of the gym. BUT its big and green and it looks great. I was due to do a 270kg yoke. But as the rig is 200, and the plates are all 20kg i went 280. A bit of a mistake.
I struggled. I managed the distance in the 60 seconds but there were lots of stops. But on a positive note 3 months back I tired a 285 yoke and made it 4 meters. I just did a 280 for 40!!! Also - I was a touch hung over and under feed. So over all a good show.
The rest of the session was okay. Belt squat got me. I loaded it up to 220 and did 3x10. Naughty. A few core things and sled pushes in there
Today was DE dead lifts and I was in bits. The yoke yesterday had me crawling. So Deadlift - 120kg + chains. It was hard to keep the power on for all 10 reps. But I think this is the point. I have 60 second to get as many as possible in 13 days. The burn was good.
Viking press 4 sets of 2. Again DE. Got to 80kg.
Over all feeling rough. But its a good rough. Like always feel like yesterday was leg day. But all over. I have no training form Wednesday. I’m gonna go to the gym - hit some REALLY light work. 50% of comp weight. Just to keep moving.
Also - missed farmer walk work out last week. I took the kids to say in a zoo over night. Its the one event I’m not fussed about missing. Although its also ME dead lift day. So that’s upsetting. But that is my 1 session since the new year. I’m allowed that.
Last work out before the comp (well with any real weight) and so last check in (bar any significant news or questions) - and I’m afraid to say its a bad one. I was doing comp weight on the yoke and threw my shoulder out. I’m in absolute agony. Good news. My spidey sense from 25 years of rugby is saying its a minor injury. More rear delt pull than total shoulder blow out. So I’m confident I will get over it. IUts funny how 25 years of contact sports gives you a good sense of what pain means. But I’m not going to lie it really affected my yoke and now I’m in a bad head space. I’m already worried about it. I will however remember that this is comp number 1 - it is only 1 event and even a bad start can be recaptured.
The irony was - I almost gave tonight a miss or stopped early. I’m shattered. This peaking business is hard. The last few weeks have been over loads (max log from blocks for reps, 280kg yoke. 105kg farmers) It takes a toll. And this is the result. But I’m in it to be competitive. And its about pushing hard. So I’m not complaining.
Work outs next week will be at 40% of comp weight. Just to keep moving. With cardio shoved in there. Lots of cardio. I can recover from cardio easy enough. And on the rowing machine there is next to 0 chance of injury.
As I say - barring any major news the next time I update this will be the day of the comp with some results….
TL:DR version came 5th. Although some questions over the placements. Not that it would have changed much.
Longer version. In event order.
Fucked the log 5 reps joint 5th.
I was so nervous you can see me shake as I’m lifting. I one motioned reps 1-3. But as I rushed things got worse. A bit disappointing. 6 reps was my target.
Farmers came 4th - I’m racing the guy that won it in the video. So God knows how 2 people finished within that small time. Felt good. Target was dub 20 seconds. I’ve not timed it in the video. But I’m pretty sure I managed that.
Deadlift 9 reps (I was given 8 I’m not sure if one was disallowed).
Felt GOOD. Well kinda. I was struggling after rep 6. After going out too quick on the log I had a mote measured approach to this. Target was 4,2 2. More like 4 2,1,1,1. Paid off…
1 thing i felt SICK AS A DOG from rep 1 to rep 9. I felt like I was gonna be that guy at gym fails projectile vomiting.
Yoke - WOW. Given 4th but first finished 1 second ahead of me. Aim was sub 40. Official time 19.57. Soo happy with that. Compared to training this just flew.
Duck walk - what a crap event. Not strength just awkward running. Finished 4th again.
Over all happy. Pissed at the log result. Aside from this I missed 1st place by:
1 second on farmers
3 reps on deadlift
1 second on yoke
No idea on duck
So GENUINELY close to a top 3 place.
Vids below:
almost wanted not to share the log video as watching it I’m deeply embarrassed. But I will. For 2 reasons. Firstly - its not a shameful result. Only bad when considered in the context of what I CAN do. Secondly (and mainly) its to let people know nerves happen. Its a REAL thing. If you are considering stepping on stage get ready for them. I was not as ready as I could/should have been. I let nerves get the better of me and I paid the price.
Mate well done. You got out there and competed and did a darn good job. On another day that would be a podium finish. This just means it’s time to train harder and get stronger. Quality
Dam straight. Just got to work harder get stronger and win the next show.
I’ve got the bug now. I can be pretty good at this. I just need to apply myself.
Good job, looks like you competed hard and left it all out there. Did you hit your goal of top half of the weight class? Did you ever figure out what happened with the uncounted 9th rep on deadlift? Judges are human and sometimes miss things or mess things up. It’s possible the uncounted rep was just human error.
You looked REALLY good for your first competition. I can’t count the number of guys in their first comps that look like they don’t know what they’re doing. You looked very comfortable and natural.
There’s always coulda would shoulda done better here or there on certain events, but don’t let that consume you. Use it as fuel to be better and you’ll go a long way in the sport.
There’s always a small element of nerves for me, but competing in front of people and pressure has not bothered me since I was in high school (Jesus, high school was 15 years ago now). Not sure why but it is definitely a bit of a gift that I have I suppose.
Thanks. Yeah I felt good. Like I was in the right place. The nerves were a bit much BUT its all self pressure. I just need to let this go. Ironically enough my single log is about as good any one else there (mine is 105kg, max there was 110kg). But they where much better at cleans and kept there cool and did not gas.
The uncounted reps and other positional stuff - I’m not too fussed. I did not win. I “might” have placed 1 or 2 places higher. Maybe. But that’s not overly important. And I’m not “that guy” - to bitch over what place I finished in an novice strong man event. There is not prize money or extra glory. This was a way to find out where I stand in relation to others. And how much work I need to do.
Great stuff putting yourself out there and actually competing, bet it’ll just be additional fuel to your fire. Did yourself proud with the way you handled yourself and I’m sure next time you’ll do even better. Looking forward to seeing that progress!
