Toothpick Training

Training Over 35 Lifter
41

Week 6 / Day 18

Not sure what today was gonna bring. Scared to death my arms were going to be a huge issue. My attitude sucks and I’m a bit low. I have no energy and that’s a concern…

Press - eb 1x20, 90lbs 1x10, 105lbs 1x5, 117.5lbs 1x1, 122.5lbs 5x3, 90lbs 1x10
Started with the Press in case the Squat caused my arms to explode. Almost called it a day on the warm-up, I was gassed after the empty bar set. First set of 122.5lbs was a struggle but the rest got better as I put my big boy pants on and just did the work…

Squat - bw 1x20, eb 1x15, 115lbs 1x10, 185lbs 1x5, 225lbs 1x3, 235lbs 1x1, 240lbs 5x3, 160lbs 1x10
Watched Rip’s video a couple more times, I’m convinced my set-up is causing the biceps issues. Warm-up sets were no issue, likewise with the working sets…praise jeebus!

Row - 105lbs 1x20, 145lbs 1x10, 165lbs 1x5, 170lbs 8x2, 150lbs 1x10

And that’s that. I’m leaving the arms alone until I’m sure they’ve calmed down. Feel like a bit of a piker not doing more work, but I got my big three lifts in and that’s the program.

42

“Bit of a piker”? That’s a perfectly respectable workout. Now if you really want more work, well I can direct you to a little something called Sheiko . . .

43

[quote]Derek542 wrote:
Welcome.

Are we supposed to have a success story?

I successfully came to work sober today.

There success. [/quote]

My daily success story is actually along those lines, except that I show up for life like that. Go figure.

44

[quote]MattyXL wrote:
Stay gold ponyboy lol[/quote]

Good movie, better book.

45

Week 7 / Day 19

Squat - bw 1x20, eb 1x15, 115lbs 1x10, 185lbs 1x5, 225lbs 1x3, 235lbs 1x1, 245lbs 8x2, 165lbs 1x10
I thought I was ready for this weight. I didn’t miss any reps, but damn it was harder than I wanted them to be. No biceps issues.

Bench - eb 1x20, 95lbs 1x10, 135lbs 1x5, 155lbs 1x1, 165lbs 5x3, 105lbs 1x10
Arms were a little achy by the end. The bar moved OK for all the sets.

Deadlift - 135lbs 1x20, 225lbs 1x10, 315lbs 1x3, 325lbs 1x1, 335lbs 5x3
No set of ten to finish, I was toast. My arms were/are really achy now. I know I’m not bent armed when I pull, this achyness is unexpected.

So I’m in week seven of this self designed program and I’m at close to 85% of my 1RM on everything but the Bench. I guess I should be expecting that the weights are starting to feel heavy, but I’m not ready to accept that. Both the Squat and the Deadlift were a struggle tonight. I want to get all the way through eight weeks of this program before I stall out, but It’s looking iffy at the moment. This realization is disappointing to say the least. I’m hoping that I’m just in a “low cycle” at this moment…it’s been known to happen.

Anyway, I’ve decided that at the end of the eighth week that I will de-load and transition back to 5/3/1. Spending upwards of two hours in the gym is crazy. Trying to stay on this routine is asking for trouble, both physically and mentally. I like the fact that it’s gotten me back (or close to) my old top end work. But looking back at the notes that I did have (nah nah, nah nah nah Mehdi), the reason that I stopped 5x5 and 3x5 was that I frying myself and not happy with the continual stalls I experienced with those programs.

My progress on 5/3/1 was slower but it produced longer periods of success with less burnout. I had forgotten that as I put this current program together.

So there we are…and Bob’s your uncle (as they say). I’ll be back…

46

Week 7 / Day 20

Squat - bw 1x20, eb 1x15, 115lbs 1x10, 185lbs 1x5, 225lbs 1x2, 235lbs 1x1, 245lbs 2+1, 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1, 185lbs 1x10
Yeeesh, talked myself right out of 5x3. Not that 5x3 as gonna happen, but a better effort would have gone along way towards me being a little more upbeat about the beat down. Singles were no issue, I just folded under expectations.

Press - eb 1x20, 95lbs 1x8, 115lbs 1x4, 120 lbs 1x1, 125lbs 8x2, 95lbs 1x10
Well at least these were a success. I tried the thumbless grip on the eb and 95lbs sets, not sure I’m comfortable from a safety standpoint. I’ll keep working on it.

Row - 105lbs 1x20, 155lbs 1x10, 165lbs 1x5, 170lbs 5x3, 125lbs 1x10
No issues, up-fucked on the back off set - should have been heavier.

LTE - 35lbs 1x10, 55lbs 1x10, 65lbs 1x10, 75lbs 3x10

Pull-Ups (after every set of LTE’s) bw 6x5

Hey, arm work is back on the table. I seem to have solved the arm issues on the Squat (I hope).

So, it’s the first stall on the Squat. We’ll give it a whirl next session 5x3…

47

You’re not alone, Buffalo. I also made some progress on 5x5 but not the sensational success Mehdi’s stories indicate.