It’s early morning, you’re all alone in the gym. Don’t have to suck in the gut, look around before pulling your underwear out of the crack of your ass or scratching your balls. Might even hit that double bi pose in the mirror. Works a hassle, kid needs braces, world outside the door is waiting to dump shit on you. But the weights are at your feet and none of that crap matters. Your best friend or worst enemy is right there. You bend, you pull, you make the lift, a PR. No crowds applauding, no bystanders gawking, no medals, and the world is still right outside.
But you made the lift and you did it for you and you’ll always know it was just for you. For just a little while you were in total control of the universe. And you’ll be happy if just for a moment. Then the world comes flooding back in. Beating others in competition is satisfing but beating yourself is a whole harder and better thing to do.
So… you say WTF, throw some more weight on the bar, wipe the sweat from your brow, take a deep breath, look yourself directly in the eyes in the mirror… grit your teeth, wrap your hands around the bar… and set another PR in the same workout…
FTW!!
Dips: 15xBW
Bench Press: 135x5, 205x5, 225x5, 225x3, 225x3
Incline Press: 135x8, 155x5, 155x4
Close Grip Bench: 135x8, 155x8, 155x3
Power Clean: 3x135x5
Standing Press: 3x95x8
Bent Row: 3x95x8
Power Snatch 2xBarx3
Leg press: 2x230x10
Standing Press and Row done as a super set. Had a hair brain idea to try some power snatches. Like doing it, but my form is all to crap. I mean the first time in 25 years. I guess I need to get the broom stick out if I am going to try again.
I’m going to change my workout around. I have to go to a meeting in Vietnam next week so I don’t see much need of messing with the apple cart when I have no clue abut the training facilities at the hotel.
Good to see the numbers on the bench are going up. You and I have very similar numbers. I am currently at about 230lb for 3 reps on the bench. First one to 250 for 3 reps can talk trash for a while.
Good to see you are getting the cardio in also. Stick with the morning workouts and you should be fine.
Took a training day off today. I was able to take care of some paper work this morning at the plant. Got home and cut the grass. The wife’s nephew graduated High School today so I attended a gala event at the brother-in-law’s. We boiled some crawfish, shrimp, and hard crabs. That was some good eating, even if they are teetotalers and we had no beer. Took the daughter to sign up for ballet next year. Talk about a busy day. Had the sis-in-law stop in for a visit, thought they would stay all evening.
I wanted to get some treadmill time in this evening but no luck. I’ll show the weights some love in the morning. Then no more weights until Thursday, half way around the world. 23 hours of flying time, not counting layovers, makes me so excited I could just crap!
Chins: Assisted BW-100#x4
Dips: 14xBW
Bench: 135x8, 205x5, 225x5x5x4, 235x2x2 (mday I’m coming at ya!)
Incline Bench Press: 135x8, 155x5x5
Close Grip Press: 135x8, 155x5x5
Power Clean: 135x5x5, 155x4
Standing Military Press: 95x8, 105x8, 110x8
Bent Row: 95x8, 105x8, 110x6
Leg press: 180x10x10x10
nice morning workout in a quiet gym. I guess at 5 a.m. I am the only cat up in 4 counties. At least the only one wanting to work out. I had a 250# rep in me on the bench, I could feel it. But no spotter and I didn’t feel like dumping the weight if my confidence was bigger than my ability.
Enjoyed pushing myself on the big lifts. That is what it is all about isn’t it? I really am getting the “feeling” I had 25 years ago, in my original quest to be “ugly strong”. It’s a shame I didn’t coin that 25 years ago and write a book.
The wife’s nephew wants to lift for football this season. The kid is a rising Freshman in high school. Gotta give him credit, he is doing conditioning already, running the stadium and such. He cornered me to ask about lifting. I sent him to the strong lift 5x5 routine. If he follows it, in 6 months he will kick my ass!!
Off to see my day for Father’s Day. I hope all y’all fathers have a nice one too!
Looking strong on those big lifts. You’re having some good workouts. Need to find a spotter so you can really push it every now and then.
I’m pretty sure there’s a direct correlation between ingesting crawfish, shrimp, and crabs, and strength levels. However, beer is essential to reach the much sought after “ugly strong” level.
Enjoy the visit with your father.
[quote]j_willy3 wrote:
I had a 250# rep in me on the bench, I could feel it. But no spotter and I didn’t feel like dumping the weight if my confidence was bigger than my ability.[/quote]
Have to be careful… drinking too much beer can turn “ugly strong” into “pretty strong”… well, that’s what happened to a couple of girls I woke up with in my youngin’ days. Never went to bed with an ugly girl… but have woken up with a few… lol.
I’m a slacker. Shot the diet all to hell since supper last night. I endulged on pizza last night. Took a cardio day off this morning, came home early to pack and enjoyed my first bacon cheeseburger and order of fries since last December.
I’ll be up at 4 a.m. tomorrow. and off the the airport. It’s going to be a long 2 days of flying. Hopefully Thursday morning I can hit the weights again.