Thanks for the support dude! Yup, I’m pretty much at the point in my training now where, whenever I see something that doesn’t make sense, if someone bigger and stronger than me is doing it, I figure I’M the one who is messing up, haha.
Notes: I think my new approach to this is gonna work out well. Going ME for these essentially, with a backoff set. There was some comfort in not worrying about rep PRs and just seeing how hard I could strain. The 425 was heavy and I folded over a bunch, but I managed it. It’s technically a lifetime PR, because I’ve never used that much weight with 3 sets of chains before. Definitely a post-op PR. Knee/shin splint held out well. This movement isn’t as intense as a straight barbell squat. Back-off set was tough; think I gave the ME set my all and didn’t have much left in the tank. Might try a few back offs to build up volume in the future. Just strip 45s as I go, or something like that.
Reverse hypers 330
4x9
Standing ab wheel
4x8
Notes: Both done in between sets of squats.
Buffalo bar squats
20x230
Notes: Slight audible called due to having to skip last week’s session. Whenever I skip a week and then come back, my hamstrings tend to get so sore that I can’t function for a week, which just retards my progress. Thinking that getting in an early/intense workout might prevent that.
General notes: Woke up at 195.8. Been seeing some big spikes, but this tends to happen after rice. I’ll see if I end up losing a lot of it. If not, the extra weight this close to a contest is kinda nice. I’m feeling a little more stable.
Much smoother than last week. I actually tried to press it twice from here, but I forgot to get my thumbs off the bar in a false grip, and it just fizzled. I’m at the point where I can clean as much as I can press; time to bring them both up.
Depending on which liquor store I’m exiting, haha.
Yoke 50’
2xYoke
2x320
2x410
2x500
4x533
Notes: Best yoke day I’ve had since coming back. I’ve learned how to catch the swing at the start of the movement to let it carry me through. Yoke isn’t feeling nearly as heavy as it used to; things are falling back into place at the exact right time. I did manage to pull my left oblique, which is an old recurring injury, so we’ll see how that feels over the next few days, but it won’t be anything too worrisome.
Woke up at 193.4 this morning. Diet is really loose right now; not getting in a lot of food.
Cheat meal this week was a 1/2lb cheese burger with a fried egg and 3 pieces of bacon that used grilled cheese sandwiches for buns. Side of onion rings. Mega high fat, not too many carbs.
(4)Axle mat pulls
5x136
5x226
1x276
1x366 (mixed grip)
1x456 (mixed grip, grip and rip)
14x546 (straps, rest pause, touch and go)
26x226 in one minute (DOH, combination of touch and go and deadstops)
Notes: First time training in the afternoon in a LONG time. Strength level difference is massive. Gives me confidence for the upcoming contest. You can really see the lack of flex in the axle on the video. If/when I transition back to the deadlift bar, I think the carryover will be crazy. 26 reps in a minute was stealing from Klokov performing a similar feat with fat gripz. He beat me by 6. Maybe next time. PR for grinding on for the 546 set. Video shows how I go about training the heavy work.
RESTPAUSE (15 deep breaths between sets)
4x410
2x410
1x410
4x370
2x370
1x370
8x280
4x280
2x280
8x280
Notes: Really wanted to take advantage of my afternoon strength and get 400 on my back again. My depth was really pretty nuts on this; I imagine it’s just from hips being a bit looser.
General notes: Woke up at 195.0. Diet is still a little loopy, but none of it really matters. As I’m getting closer, I’m feeling like my old self again. It’s all clicking right when I need to.
I think I’ll give it a try if I can figure out a way to fit them in 5/3/1, if I remember correctly I think rest pause is mentioned in the 2nd edition. Unfortunately they aren’t very big in England, I’ve only ever met 2 people who’ve heard of them, I’d love to see them live.
Yeah, they aren’t too big here either. Very rarely you might hear Eletric Worry play on the radio, but for the most part they are unheard of. I have seen 2 people wearing a Clutch shirt in my life, haha.
5/3/1 rest pause looked solid. Reminded me of my time with DoggCrapp.
50’ carry 182lb keg
50’ run back to start
50’ run back to keg
50’ carry 182lb keg
50’ run back to start
50’ run back to keg
50’ carry 182lb keg
50’ run back to start
50’ backwards prowler drag loaded w/200lbs
3 rounds
Notes: Did this after some Taco Bell, so it was quite the experience. That said, I finally figured out some speed on this one. First round went so fast that I actually managed to get winded from exertion, which normally doesn’t happen. Usually the first round is more like a warm-up, and I can go again quickly after, but this time I gave it all away at the start, flew through, and didn’t think I’d have another left. Definitely the kind of effort I need to bring to the show. Been trying to get used to cues again, telling myself “Athlete ready…go!” to get used to flying off the start.
Didn’t weigh myself this morning. Amateur hour stuff here.
Thanks dude. It’s all coming back to me. Been great having you along the whole time.
Axle continentals
3x136
1x186
1x226
1x256
0x276
Notes: Just feeling beat today. Wiped out and low energy. Was happy to get this done today. The 256 actually went up real smooth; I’m getting the mechanics down well enough that it’s becoming more effortless. Got the 276 to my belt, but just ran out of gas. Realistically, I think this is the weight I’ll need to mixed grip if I want a high pull at the start. Also managed to get a thumbless grip with 256 once it was at the top, which is something I needed to practice.
Notes: I didn’t lose my mind on the 310 attempt; I forgot to take off the 25lb bumper plates beforehand. On the plus side, it made 255 feel light, but I was just fried by this point. I imagine I’ve just been pushing the training a little too hard, because I’ve been feeling beat up with sore joints. I wanna hit that 255 before the contest just to know I have the second attempt in me, but at this point it happens when it happens.
Lat pulldowns 140
5x15
Band pull aparts
5x20
Notes: Performed between strict presses.
Dips (upright)
50 reps
Axle rows 136
75 reps
Axle curls
1x50
Notes: Those rows are just frying out my arms, so the curls are declining. I’ll take it though.
General notes: Woke up at 195.4. Weight is going up, but I’m not sure how much of it is real. Had some GI issues while training, so think I was holding onto some food mass in the colon.
That’s always against the rules, but whether they’re going to call it just depends on the judge that day. I’ve never seen it called in a show before, but it always depends. As long as you are moving the whole time, you seem to get some leeway, but if you just pick it up, put it on the belt, let it hang out for some time while you take a few deep breaths, etc, that might get called.
I’m at the point where, realistically, I don’t see myself winning this event, but if I can at least have a strong middle of the pack showing, that should be good enough.
