8/9/24
Treadmill:
30 minutes
Stretching and bench practice with the bar.
I did some light walking on the treadmill and then practiced bench form. I’m still stung by the Worlds two years ago, when I beat the press command, and it messed me up. I’m going to stay conservative and get my openers in.
Finally have time to report the meet results. I’ve done worse, and I’ve done a hellava lot better too.
I weighed in Friday afternoon with no issues. I met a few guys and the meet director gave everyone a gift bag with Costco snacks. My wife and I then had a great dinner.
It was a small meet and everyone was cool. I opened my bench at 275 with no issues. My next lift was 305. It’s a weight I can normally handle for multiple reps. I still don’t know what I did, but I got jammed up half way up. I was super pissed. I decided not to go up and stay there for a third. One of the coaches came over to me and lit me up. This was exactly what I needed. I was still mad on my third attempt and it flew up. I felt like I could have cranked out five or six.
Onto deads. I opened at 365. No issues here. I then went to 405. It came up fast, and I kept waiting for the down command. It never came. I held onto the bar as long as I could. It was then I almost passed out. It was the closest I have come to going lights out. I dropped the bar and almost fell. Again, I stayed there. The meet director, who is also a coach, came over to me and said I needed to pop my hips out sooner. I missed locking out and that was why I did not get three whites. The third lift came up fast and strong with no issues. I probably should have gone up, but I played it safe.
They then asked if I wanted a fourth lift. These are normally reserved for if you have already broken a record, which I did not. I said I would go for it. I went for 425 with a chip that would have broken the state record. I got it to about my knees, before it went down again. I think I was just out of gas. The director stopped me again and said I let the bar get too far from my body.
I came for three records and got zero. I got three pretty nice metals and had fun. I’m also kinda proud of myself for coming back from the no lifts. I also learned a lot and I am thinking about next year already.
Also, the arm work must be paying off. I had three people, who I already knew, say my arms look bigger. That’s a win right there.
8/12/24
OPH:
4/10/135
Pendlay Rows:
4/10/205
Upright Rows:
4/10/95
Hammer Strength Low Row:
4/10/4 plates
Pull-Ups:
4/10
Back at it. I decided I am going to come in lighter next season.
At least you got some good advice for next time!
Happy to hear you had fun anyway.
Good work any way you slice it.
“Arms look bigger” for the Win… 
Glad you learned. You will get those records. And, congratulations on the arms.
8/13/24
Poundstone Curls:
100
EZ Bar Curls:
4/10/100
Preacher Curls:
4/10/115
DB Curls:
4/10/45
Cable Curls:
4/25/120
Pulldowns:
10/10/Various (no rest between sets)
Pressdowns:
4/25/200
Pulldowns:
1/100/120
Pull-Ups:
10
I am constantly amazed by how fast I get things done, without looking at my phone.
8/14/24
200 lb Sandbag Shoulder Carry: 100 yards
200 lb Sandbag Bearhug Carry: 50 yards
200 lb Sandbag Suitcase Carry: 50 yards
Prowler Push:
+45 / 100 yards
+100 / 100 yards
Prowler Pull:
+135 / 100 yards
Farmers’ Carry:
55 in each hand / 200 yards
It’s been a while since I did a Weighted Walk Wednesday. It was nice to get back at it.
You are a role model bud. Keep it up!
Thanks, but I aspire to be like you and a few other guys on this page. My wife and I were just talking about this on the way home from the meet. To me it’s not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. I feel like for you it’s the same. I told her my goal is to be the strongest 80-year-old male on the planet. I don’t know if I’ll ever get there, but it’s a goal. Just 27 more years to go.
8/15/24
Treadmill:
30 minutes
Superset -
Seated Calf Raises: 4/50/110
Standing BW Calf Raises: 4/50
Abductor Machine:
4/20/200
Adductor Machine:
4/20/200
Crunch Machine:
1/100/100
Pull-Ups:
4/10
Heavy Bag:
3 - 3 minute rounds
When I arrived all 15 treadmills were empty. I got one in the middle. In comes stinky guy. Guess which one he takes. That’s right, the one right next to me.
On plus side my arms got more love today. One of the guys said I look like I’ve lost weight and my arms look “huge.” I wasn’t going to argue that I’m as fat as ever, and my arms are a work in progress.
Thank you. It has been a lifestyle. My fifties were a scheisse show. But since COVID and crawling off the couch, I have made progress. Sixty is better than fifty. Keep it up. I enjoy watching your progress. You will get that record.
Thank you
8/16/24
Treadmill:
20 minutes
Exercise Bike:
10 minutes
Ski Simulator:
5 minutes
Straight cardio tonight.
8/17/24
Bench:
5/200
5/230
6/260
Hammer Strength Incline:
4/10/2 plates
Dips:
10/10
Push-Ups:
50
I dropped the weight way down to start 5/3/1. My shoulders were super sore, so I should have probably taken a deload. I’m sure the 100 dips are not going to help. I won’t be doing anything serious again for at least six months, so 5/3/1 should be a perfect way to improve.
8/18/24
Squats:
10/225
V-Squats:
10/450
10/540
10/630
10/720
10/810
Belt Squats:
4/10/450
Leg Press:
10/490
10/580
10/670
10/760
10/870
Pull-Ups:
20
This was the first time I have done back squats in years. The arthritis in my shoulders makes it so I cannot reach back to hold onto the bar. My gym, however, just purchased a cambered bar. I did a warmup set and then 225. It did not feel right. Think it’s just going to take some practice. I really did not want to mess with it today.
Just read your meet report which I was looking forward to. With some great meets in the past, you just had an off day. You’ll have more great ones, but I think your great workouts matter more. Great mindset too; I think looking in the bathroom mirror trumps a meet medal.
Affirmation or not,you’ve likely always had impressive arms. Strongest 80 year old male on the planet…
Separately, SSB bar was invented by Jim Tate (I think) for guys who can’t straight bar squat anymore, so you’re now in some really strong company. That 810 lifting is giving your legs a great workout.
Thanks. It’s nice to see you back.
8/19/24
OHP:
4/10/135
Pendlay Rows:
4/10/205
Upright Rows:
4/10/95
Pull-Up:
4/10
Heavy Bag:
1 - 5 minute rounds
Treadmill:
20 minutes
I’m taking tomorrow off. I’m not going to lie; I’m looking forward to it. It’s been over a month since I have had one. I’m a little beat up.
Just found a new Youtube channel “Strengthfamily”. 40 something knowledgeable good teacher powerlifter, worth watching. I’v learned some new exercises, especially from his arm videos. He just started a series on how he increased his bench press to 500.
