Ooof, thats a lotta work young man! I think just surviving this Smolov thingy will be a testament to your will!! Killer stuff, keep it up!
Good thing you’re not doing the “intense phase”. I was biting my tongue because there’s nothing worse than a keyboard warrior (that would be me) giving “advice” to someone who’s bigger and stronger (that would be you).
But whenever I’ve seen Smolov referenced, it has always been with the caveat that “assistance” is needed to complete the program.
Thanks for stopping in, OG and punnyguy. Re: assistance, I am sure juice would help, but I am pretty sure natties have completed the program. You don’t know what you are capable of until you try.
Week 1, day 4, Smolov.
Squats: 45 x10, 90 x10, 135 x5, 185 x3, 225 x1, 275 x1, 335 x 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3.
Notes: Week 1 in the bank. I was going to do Incline DB bench today, but decided against it. Now I am going to see how much food I can shove in my face between naps. Squats Saturday.
Great work, Jack. And, good grief, there is a lot of it to call “great.”
Nice job finishing the first week Jack. Way to go.
You didn’t mention anything about DOMS. Any change in that area?
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
Its supposed to add 35 to 50 lbs. to your max if it doesn’t kill you.
[/quote]
Gosh, I’m hoping for the former and not the latter.
I have honestly wondered what would happen if I just focused on squatting for a few weeks. Not sure my hips and glutes could take this, but now I can watch you do it instead!
Thanks LS, S_L, and Kimba!
S_L, the DOMS are gone, but I feel pretty worked over. Also, it was much worse thinking about each set today than it was doing them. I felt great while I was under the bar, but mentally it was very tough getting under it each and every time.
[quote]jjackkrash wrote:
I felt great while I was under the bar, but mentally it was very tough getting under it each and every time. [/quote]
But you stepped under the bar each and every time. And when you walked out, you knew you did something that most people won’t do.
You’re walking the walk dude…
Wow, thanks iyaayas. I appreciate it.
Week 2, Day 1, Smolov base mesocycle.
Squats: 45 x10, 90 x10, 135 x5, 185 x3, 225 x1, 295 x 9, 9, 9, 9.
Incline DB Bench: 50 x10, 60 x10, 70 x10, 80 x10, 90 x9, 100 x4, 75 x10.
Notes: I felt good this morning, and I looked forward to starting the second week. But my back started to get tight just walking on the treadmill for warmups. I did a little extra mobility work but my lower back, hips, and calves felt really, really tight. The bar felt heavy during warm-ups, and so did 90, 135, 185, 225, and my first working set. But each working set felt easier than the previous one while I was under the bar.
On my last set, I came back from the bathroom and a guy had moved my belt off the bar and moved my log out from under the rack and unracked most of the wieght. I told him I had one more set, and he appologized and restacked the bar for me. This gave me a little motivation and I did my last set ATG and paused at the bottom. The guy said said “wow, I usually lift in the afternoon and the guys who do squat usually only quarter squat. Nice work.” So that made me happy. He was actually a pretty good squater and did ATG front squats after I was done.
Today was hard getting started, but it gave me some confidence. 295 felt easier than 275 did last week, even though I felt beat up walking into the gym. From what I have read, the next three sessions are reportedly the hardest of the program, however. We shall see.
Thanks for reading,
Jack.
Addendum to last post:
My waist is getting noticably bigger (read I’m getting fatter in a hurry). I haven’t weighed myself since the meet, but I know my wieght is heading north. I have been eating alot of both good and bad stuff, but I really need to cut out the sugar and bad carbs. I probably won’t do anything about it until I am done with Smolov, however. I spent most of Yesturday napping and eating, but I really felt like I needed both the rest and the calories to recover.
Also, my elbows are really starting to hurt. I am going to see if I can find some horse linament and maybe some DMSO. A massage wouldn’t hurt, either.
jack- very impressive work! Mentally, I could not handle squatting that often…good luck with your elbows…
good work buddy. i have a hard enough time doing one heavy/on DE day for lower. Taking an ibu before sessions?
Great work, Jack. I admire your ability to stick with it. I can’t wait to see what the end result is.
Keep eating! With this torture, your body needs it!
Thanks OG, Pete, and LS. Pete, I don’t usually take ibu absent an injury as opposed to regular soreness. LS, don’t worry, eating big is one thing I am good at. :).
Week 2, day 2, Smolov base mesocycle.
Squats: 45 x10, 90 x10, 135 x5, 185 x3, 225 x1, 275 x 1, 315 x 7, 7, 7, 7, 7.
Superset:
Chins: 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 (40 total)
OHP: 45 x10, 65 x10, 95 x 10, 135 x10, 155 x5, 165 x3, 185 x 1, 195 x 0.
Notes: My lower back and hips were very tight today. I did a lot of stretching and mobility work before and after. The working sets were challenging but my speed is improving and I cranked them out with relative ease. Chins and OHP felt pretty good, I went for a 10 lbs. PR on OHP, but it wasn’t going to go. My lower back feels torched–like it has been for the last week or so–but this doesn’t seem to be affecting my ability to get the requred reps. I am looking forward to Wed. and Thurs. and getting the second week in the books. I am also looking forward to the lbs. of bacon and the dozen or so eggs that are on the griddle right now.
Looks really, really good, Jack. Mmmmmmm…bacon.
Oh, and the lifting looks great as well. 315x7x5 just looks rough! Great work.
Jack- another GREAT looking session! WOW.
Here you go to get it-ships fast to your house if you do not want to go to a farm-fleet.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elitefts/default.asp?m=PD&cid=176&pid=492
Works great on the lower back issues and elbows.
Holy crap Jack! Thats a damn lot of work! No wonder youre stiff as hell!!
Thanks everyone, for stopping in. Fischer, thanks for the link.
Week 2, day 3, Smolov base mesocycle.
Squats: 45 x10, 90 x10, 135 x5, 185 x3, 225 x1, 275 x1, 335 x 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5.
Notes: Today was tough. I got cocky and did the last set ATG with a slight pause, and I am paying for it now. Hips and lower back are spent. Time to demolish a plate of french toast and then keep eating the rest of the day.