Yeah it’s okay. I’m always after a little bit more.
Dipped in and out over 7 years. But I’ve never been this discipline with it before. And I’m liking it. Tjis is the strongest I’ve ever been and I feel like theres more in there.
I’m certain there is more there. For years… maybe even a decade, I blamed genetics and metabolism for my mediocre strength and being fat. then I pulled my head out of my ass and have gotten much past that I thought was my “limit”.
I’m not saying you’re making these same excuses, I’m simply saying we can do A LOT more than we think we can.
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Yes that’s what I thought you’ve progressed very well, because you’ve progressed at a very decent rate on every lift that is a feat in and of itself let alone the fact you added 25kg to your deads and then doubled the reps in a matter of months.
We always want more it’s what stops us being the dudes who turn up every week bench the same 2 plates and leave no different and having achieved nothing. Just don’t forget to celebrate the fact you’re smashing it whilst you’re looking for more!
You are right. And I’d be saying the same to anyone else.
I have a theory. Happiness is the price we pay for success. It’s not about what I do have. It’s about what I can. You get it. If you’re happy with 2 plates then you’ll never work toward 3 or 4 or 5. If you want to be successful you’ll never be happy and just keep pushing.
Success is not a place. You dont get successful. It’s a process that requires daily sacrifice and honest self evaluation.
So I’m happy being unhappy. Its the drive to be better that I need. I set lofty goals this year and hit all but my weight target. But I’ll get there by 31/12. With out that nagging feeling of “not good enough” I’d have stalled.
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Event day let down today.
Rain set in and there is no where to do any other events inside apart from log and deadlift.
So log and dead lifting it was.
Log max reps in 60 seconds. I’ve been doing a lot of work on this. My clean is letting me down. I finish low on my body so I use lots of energy to rack properly. I’m working on this. I think I have it sorted / am sorting it.
Either way my sets.
75kg for 6
Then 75kg for 6. This is an improvement.
It felt easier this week. All 6 reps were smother. I’m hoping to refine this to 7-8 teps on the day.
Deadlift
I pulled 190kg for 5 Thursday. So today I thought I’d pull 190 3x3. Same weight more reps. Sure more sets but I feel this extra volume is handy.
This was hard but I enjoyed it.
Dropped the weight to 150kg + chains for 3x5.
After this I done a small rack run 50kg x12, 40kg x8, 30kg x6.
Suitcase hold 60kg 5x 10 second holds
Press 60kg x 12
Behind the neck press 40kg x errr something
Happy enough.
Aldonwirth noting I’m gonna be there or there abouts with target weight loss. I’m 105kg going to bed and will lose about 1kg over night. My target from 2 weeks back was under 104 by this monday. So who knows?
So no events days as such for a while. Work and personal life are keeping me out of the gym at the weekend. And the car park is too busy for yoke, farmers, sled work on a weekday.
This week I did pull 170kg on the axle for 9 reps in under 1 min. I think I had the 10th but what with cutting weight I’m tending not to push for a 50/50 rep. But then working drop sets bit harder.
Drop set to this was 150kg axle deadlift with chain 3x5.
Log yesterday. 80kg 5 reps in 70 seconds.
5x5 press with 65kg.
My clean is getting there. I wont hit all 10 reps for this though. Ironically I could if I only had to clean it once. My shoulders are strong enough. But I lose so much energy getkgvthe log high on my chest. I’ve worked out i need to pull the log onto me more and not let it slide onto my belly.
The rest of the weeks been good.
Press pr 80kg x 6 with 1 left in the tank
Front squat pr 128kg x 8 with 0 left in the tank. As in nothing.
Weight loss has been good. About 2kg every 3weeks. Walking around at 104.3 today. The scales say 103.somethig every morning. 102.9 a few says back. I’ve loosened up a bit on food now. No shit. But enough to stabilise my weight. I’m under - I might lose another kg - but the trick now is to maintain.
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Sounds like you’re making great progress! Cleans take up a ton of energy so it’s no surprise you’re having trouble hitting 10 clean and press reps in a minute. That makes me tired just reading that haha
Also, aren’t you a U105kg athlete? I’m not saying you shouldn’t lean out, but what is the point trying to be 2-4 kg under? Did I miss something?
Paranoia about missing weight. I can add 2kg of food weight in a sitting lol.
Thanks. It’s been a hard slog. But I’m really enjoying it.
Ah, I guess you’re avoiding a water cut? I don’t blame you, it’s a bit of a pain in the ass. My first (only) water cut I cut about 12 lbs, and I was 231 and 231.8 on my two home scales. I got to the place I had to weigh in and their scale said I was 233… FML. So I had to walk briskly and spit for 30 minutes, then get completely naked during weigh in to be at 231.4 on the dot haha.
Also I can tell you’ve been putting in hard work 
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Yeah balls to a water cut. It’s my first comp. I want it to be nice and simple. No messing. Get 1 under my belt and then see where I’m at. I might in the future get more technical. But at the moment its KISS.
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Again no “events day” but 4 events split through out the week.
Also to note only 2 weeks out from competition.
Deadlifts midweek
180kg x 7
I think 8 on the day is the result I want.
Log yesterday
75kg x 7
Again 7 on the day will be fine but 8 good. Limiting factor here is speed and CV. I’m more that strong enough.
Today
Farmers walk
3 sets of 105kg/h 20m drop&return. Felt good once I was moving.
Yoke
2 sets of 210kg 20m drop&return again good. Foot speed okay.
Weight steady at 102.something. All is good.
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So - looking for advice.
Comp day is in less than 2 weeks. And I’ve no idea what the day entails.
Anyone with any experience - if you could comment and help out.
I’m significant under weight (101.8kg). So I can eat big the night before. Carb load.
I’m staying local to the event so no early morning issues or long drives to worry about. I’ll be getting up and eating a normal breakfast. 6 eggs 2 toast.
Food through out the day will be a mix of protein bars and prepared high calorie lunch and nuts. Carbs will be mainly from lunch. Although the a Mars bar or two will be on stand by.
I’m gonna take 4lt of water.
I have no new equipment etc to use everything is tried and tested. Straps shoes shorts etc all long serving. I’m going to take a singular band for sholder warm ups.
Warm ups / stay warm. The comps I’ve seen guys warm up and compete in say the log. Then rest until the next event. Which can be an hour away. I’m not keen on this. I’m going to ask to warm up before each event.
I’m gonna send as much of my down time chilling out as possible. Ear phones in music on. Chill music.
Any other tips / hints
@strongmanvinny2 @T3hPwnisher and @flipcollar are deff good for advice in this stuff.
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Personally, How I would handle this:
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weigh in the day before. Significantly under weight or not, weigh in as soon as possible so that you can eat and drink whatever you want after that.
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Do no eat anything you have not been eating during the prep. No need to get into some sort of gastrointestinal distress right before a competition. Save the true gluttony for after the competition. Some people eat between events, other I know will not eat the entire day. Just do what you body tells you. But if you choose not to eat big meals, at least keep some “intra-workout” carbs with you (i.e. candy or whatever sugary stuff you like) to keep your energy from tanking. I actually eat 1-2 full meals during a competition.
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Treat it like a normal gym day with respect to how you warm up and what type of pre-workout you take, or anything else. Depending on how the competition is run you may have 30 minutes between events or 2 hours (I’ve competed at both types of shows)
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with respect to warm ups. Do whatever you feel is necessary, but don’t blow your whole load on warm-ups only to be tired when you get on the platform.
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Relax and enjoy. Whether you come in first or last doesn’t really matter. You’re not getting paid and there is no point in getting worked up, or getting stupid and injuring yourself. Obviously you want to push yourself, but if something really feels off or you feel like you’re truly injured, stop. This is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, not overly stressful. Save all of the heroics for later on in you strongman career when you’re on stage at the Arnold.
Bring a chair. No guarantee there will be a place to sit, and laying on the floor between events sucks.
Bring sunblock and some sort of shade if possible. Hat.
Don’t carb load unless that is something you normally do. Otherwise, you will be bloated and uncomfortable during the event.
Bring super glue for torn calluses. First aid kit too. Lifting gloves also, in case you shred your hands.
Wear the competition shirt at the competition. It’s good form. Gives the sponsors money. You can wear what you want on stones. Have a change of clothes for after the comp, if you decide to go out for food. Extra underwear too: stuff happens.
Be prepared to share gear. I bring extra, so people can have my hand me downs. Maybe doesn’t happen anymore with COVID, but strongman are dirty people.
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True that!
I can not wait for a big meal.
It this bit I;’ not looking forward to. I like to be in control of my warm ups. I do nothing extra ordinary. But I like to take it slow and easy. So I avoid this:
I can be a bit kike this in the gym.
Ha - I’ll see you there right?
Not even on my radar
I do this for rugby. Not “mad” - but I can smash a few portions of rice.
Okay - makes sence
Seen - makes sence
Done.
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I certainly hope. I had to pull out of nationals because I got a pretty severe eye injury, so I can’t lift anything right now until my eye heals up in about 2-3 months. But I’ll be one year more prepared to go storm nationals.
Yeah I saw in the other sub forum.
That’s shit. But I guess you take the rough with the smooth.
I saw its reversible. That’s some good news.
I dont think I’ll ever hit national levels. I’m not into the additional “supplements” required.
It’s not a morality issue. But my wife is not keen. Shes very nervous. She even dislikes me taking over the counter supplements.
Absolutely not required to compete at nationals.
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I agree with @T3hPwnisher. I train with a guy that is lifetime all natural that competed at nationals just this past year, and I am certain he was not the only one.
Using gear is a very personal decision that should not be taken lightly. Genetics play a large role in how much strength you can build and maintain. Admittedly I believe I have slightly above average genetics with respect to strength (squatting and deadlifting into the 500’s and benching deep 300’s before ever jumping on gear), but no where near the demi god level the athletic freaks have.
With that said, if this is purely recreational and fun, there’s no point in compromising your long term health by using AAS. My goal is to take this to the highest competitive level I can (I’d love to compete at WSM if possible) so I knew early on what route I was going to take.