An Uncommon Pursuit

Training Over 35 Lifter
601

Sorry - didn’t mean to sound like I was smarting off. I forget that other people aren’t me, sometimes.

The strategy is - as I understand it - in some circles, this:

First attempt is whatever you can triple so you’re sure of getting on the board.
Second attempt is your projected 1 RM from that
Third attempt is a new PR.

This is mostly what I’m doing.

However, some groups have the philosophy of an opener as your current training 1RM or a bit lower.
2nd attempt is a new PR
3rd attempt is balls to the wall to beat that PR you just set.

I am really thinking of doing 255, 275 and then whatever maybe 285 for bench right now though. Depends on how well I eat over the next week.

285 doesn’t seem likely as I haven’t practiced arching for bench for months now and my upper back may not be strong enough to hold it when the weight gets really heavy. I’ve got a good push, but I need to limit the range of motion and that means a big arch. If I can emulate a 2 board with a strong enough arch, I think I can get it. It would be a PR above any I’ve set so far.

Hopefully the hand-offs will save enough energy such that I can hold it.

602

[quote]soldog wrote:
skidmark wrote:
This forum is starting to feel like a warm, well lit library populated by erudite and well-mannered ladies and gentlemen - outside of which rampage zombies, demons, assorted madmen and berserkers, scrabbling through the streets of a destroyed, darkened and otherwise deserted city.

I am dismayed.

What happened Skid? Did you get zinged? Or just tried to have a serious discussion in GAL? (re: kettlebells)[/quote]

Not zinged - that at least is a response one can work with. It’s just looking to me as though gibbering idiots and f**kweeds are taking over the castle.

Of course others may consider ME a member of the above enumeration…

I guess I’m just getting old and don’t have the energy for the battles being waged and the nonsense purveyed in those forums any more.

603

[quote]skidmark wrote:
Sorry - didn’t mean to sound like I was smarting off. I forget that other people aren’t me, sometimes.

The strategy is - as I understand it - in some circles, this:

First attempt is whatever you can triple so you’re sure of getting on the board.
Second attempt is your projected 1 RM from that
Third attempt is a new PR.

This is mostly what I’m doing.

However, some groups have the philosophy of an opener as your current training 1RM or a bit lower.
2nd attempt is a new PR
3rd attempt is balls to the wall to beat that PR you just set.

I am really thinking of doing 255, 275 and then whatever maybe 285 for bench right now though. Depends on how well I eat over the next week.

285 doesn’t seem likely as I haven’t practiced arching for bench for months now and my upper back may not be strong enough to hold it when the weight gets really heavy. I’ve got a good push, but I need to limit the range of motion and that means a big arch. If I can emulate a 2 board with a strong enough arch, I think I can get it. It would be a PR above any I’ve set so far.

Hopefully the hand-offs will save enough energy such that I can hold it.[/quote]

No worries, mate!

I didn’t take it as smarting off - given Hel’s comment about not thinking about it too much, I didn’t know if this was good timing or not.

Thanks for the explaination!

604

One mistake made in training up to this contest:

I’ve deadlifted too heavy too often. My speed sets have been far too heavy and my lower back is very overdone. My opener yesterday was harder than it should have been.

I deadlifted 465 at a lighter bodyweight and 5000 feet elevation just a year ago and it went up fast. During that time I was deadlifting heavy every 4th week, only doing singles with bands for speed sets and really concentrating on box squatting. My squat volume was higher as well.

I’m going to have to think about this as I don’t want to change a program that seems to be working. I may just really cut back the weight on speed sets for deadlift and see how that works.

605

[quote]soldog wrote:
skidmark wrote:
Sorry - didn’t mean to sound like I was smarting off. I forget that other people aren’t me, sometimes.

The strategy is - as I understand it - in some circles, this:

First attempt is whatever you can triple so you’re sure of getting on the board.
Second attempt is your projected 1 RM from that
Third attempt is a new PR.

This is mostly what I’m doing.

However, some groups have the philosophy of an opener as your current training 1RM or a bit lower.
2nd attempt is a new PR
3rd attempt is balls to the wall to beat that PR you just set.

I am really thinking of doing 255, 275 and then whatever maybe 285 for bench right now though. Depends on how well I eat over the next week.

285 doesn’t seem likely as I haven’t practiced arching for bench for months now and my upper back may not be strong enough to hold it when the weight gets really heavy. I’ve got a good push, but I need to limit the range of motion and that means a big arch.

If I can emulate a 2 board with a strong enough arch, I think I can get it. It would be a PR above any I’ve set so far.

Hopefully the hand-offs will save enough energy such that I can hold it.

No worries, mate!

I didn’t take it as smarting off - given Hel’s comment about not thinking about it too much, I didn’t know if this was good timing or not.

Thanks for the explaination![/quote]

I’m glad you asked the question, because it gelled together some thoughts I’d been having around the bench.

Hel’s advice is good. I don’t think I’m capable of following it this time around, however :-). Too amped about the comp.

606

You should do a little meditating. Just sit and breath for an hour or so. Clears the head and helps you see clearly. Works for me when I start over thinking something. Which I do all the time.

607

[quote]streamline wrote:
You should do a little meditating. Just sit and breath for an hour or so. Clears the head and helps you see clearly. Works for me when I start over thinking something. Which I do all the time.[/quote]

Good suggestion. I haven’t been keeping up on mine and it definitely makes a difference.

608

The more we age the greater the need to maintain that mental balance. Need to maximize those workouts and that clear head can really help. Good luck.

609

For some reason I found this amusing…

610

[quote]skidmark wrote:
2008-9-6
Testing Day
Squat
…
305x1
345x1 Solid rep, mighta been high

Bench (all reps paused)
…
245x1 (opener - This went up really fast and easy
So…)
255x1 (lost the groove but it went up pretty easy too.)

DL
…
405x1
445x1 (This was slower than I would have liked. Wasn’t mentally prepared when I started the pull)

…[/quote]

Looks like you are all set, buddy. Would love to see you go nine for nine. Now go get something to eat!

611

[quote]1Geech wrote:
skidmark wrote:
2008-9-6
Testing Day
Squat
…
305x1
345x1 Solid rep, mighta been high

Bench (all reps paused)
…
245x1 (opener - This went up really fast and easy
So…)
255x1 (lost the groove but it went up pretty easy too.)

DL
…
405x1
445x1 (This was slower than I would have liked. Wasn’t mentally prepared when I started the pull)

…

Looks like you are all set, buddy. Would love to see you go nine for nine. Now go get something to eat!

[/quote]

I surely have been - getting 180-200 grams of protein a day and lots of fat. No dietary restrictions for this week!

612

This reminds me to ask what your nutrition looks like on the meet day. Have you got a plan for that? Don’t mean to pester you about details, just living vicariously.

613

Pester away - I need to think about this stuff.

Before meet:
big omelet w/ hash browns and pancakes or French toast and fruit and milk. 2-3 quarts of water and don’t poop til after weigh-in at 8:30

During meet 11:30-Whenever:
Now I can poop. Or earlier depending on when I get weighed…
Wheat bread PBJ and tuna sandwiches. Many bananas/apples all in a cooler. Lotsa water.

Post meet:
Steak and ice cream.

614

[quote]skidmark wrote:
Pester away - I need to think about this stuff.

Before meet:
big omelet w/ hash browns and pancakes or French toast and fruit and milk. 2-3 quarts of water and don’t poop til after weigh-in at 8:30

During meet 11:30-Whenever:
Now I can poop. Or earlier depending on when I get weighed…
Wheat bread PBJ and tuna sandwiches. Many bananas/apples all in a cooler. Lotsa water.

Post meet:
Steak and ice cream.[/quote]

I’m impressed.

You are more the man than I am, even in the eating department.

615

[quote]Elaikases wrote:
skidmark wrote:
Pester away - I need to think about this stuff.

Before meet:
big omelet w/ hash browns and pancakes or French toast and fruit and milk. 2-3 quarts of water and don’t poop til after weigh-in at 8:30

During meet 11:30-Whenever:
Now I can poop. Or earlier depending on when I get weighed…
Wheat bread PBJ and tuna sandwiches. Many bananas/apples all in a cooler. Lotsa water.

Post meet:
Steak and ice cream.

I’m impressed.

You are more the man than I am, even in the eating department.

[/quote]

Oh yes. In fact, I’m starting a lecture series on man-ness. It may be taught in universities as part of the requirements in the He-man-ities.

Look upon me and tremble at my hormonal awesomeness.

616

I’m looking at that avatar and it has me impressed. I made the mistake of using a picture of myself and I can see you did too.

You are doing us old guys proud.

617

[quote]Elaikases wrote:
I’m looking at that avatar and it has me impressed. I made the mistake of using a picture of myself and I can see you did too.

You are doing us old guys proud.[/quote]

Yup - I look just like that. Add a vertical inch and 140 pounds to my frame and you couldn’t tell us apart.

Mariusz, my brother!

I like that he does pullups - like all REAL men.

618

[quote]skidmark wrote:
Pester away - I need to think about this stuff.

Before meet:
big omelet w/ hash browns and pancakes or French toast and fruit and milk. 2-3 quarts of water and don’t poop til after weigh-in at 8:30

During meet 11:30-Whenever:
Now I can poop. Or earlier depending on when I get weighed…
Wheat bread PBJ and tuna sandwiches. Many bananas/apples all in a cooler. Lotsa water.

Post meet:
Steak and ice cream.[/quote]

Details on nutritional input, if not output, appreciated. Will leave how you control the latter unthematized.

Would not have thought about the tuna but I guess a longer-digesting protein source is a real good idea.

619

We aim to please.

Sure you don’t want copralogical details?

It can be fascinating.

620

You guys and your big words, showing off your book larnin’…

Glad I don’t understand any that stuff.