Back to Past Training Logs

 

Past Training Log

 WABDL World Championships - October 27~November 1 - Reno, Nevada

 

Saturday, October 31 - Meet Report

BWT - 288.5

 

I did alright considering the stress of getting nearly 30 of my UHD lifters out to Reno.  I hit my opener of 639.2, missed a 655, and called it a day to focus on coaching the team.  My 639.2 was enough for me to defend my Master 40-46 world title at 308, and to earn me 3rd place in the open.  It was also a Texas State Open Record.

Thursday, October 22 - Bench Press

BWT - 294.5

 

This was my final heavy bench workout before Worlds, and it was amazing.  I actually considered skipping this workout because I hadn't slept well and was VERY tired.  I thought my fatigue would spell disaster for my top sets, but apparently not.

 

. . . and keep in mind: this was only my FIFTH heavy workout in a shirt for all of 2009.

 

Bench Press-

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x1

 

F6 Super Plus on . . . 

 

Yes, the Super Plus.  I wasn't having a good feeling about the Super Katana.  It really seemed to be underperforming, probably because the sleeves need to be tightened up.

 

3-Boards -

405x3

500x2

 

2-Boards -

585x1

 

1-Board -

635x1          

 

The 585 was easier and faster than the warmup sets, and the 635 was easier and faster yet.  635 is the lightest I've brought down to a 1-board in the Super Plus, thanks mostly to my weight loss, and it came down quite easily.  Based on this workout, I'll open in the Super Plus with 290.0 kgs./639.2 OR 292.5/644.7 to ensure an easy touch and press.  I will forego my usual habit of opening in the 500s with a loose shirt based on how easily the 635 went up.  For other attempts, I'll just keep cranking.

 

People are asking me if I'll set an all-time PR, which would be anything over 700.8.  Probably not this year since I've had so little time to prepare in the shirt.  However, anything over 606 is a PR at my bodyweight.

 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

275x5

295x5

315x5

 

Shoulder P/Rehab on Friday . . . 

 

So, this was my FIFTH heavy workout in the shirt.  What if I had devoted the whole year to bench instead of to deadlift??

 

If anyone's interested, I have my Facebook page going.  Lots of pics and stuff there.  Add me as a friend.

Thursday, October 15 - Bench Press

BWT - 295.5

 

Bench Press-

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x1

 

Super Katana 52 on . . . 

 

3-Boards -

405x3

500x3

 

2-Boards -

585x1

 

1-Board -

655x1          

 

2-Boards -

675x0

 

Tried to torque the sleeves, but one loosened up considerably before I lowered the bar, making one arm drop alot faster.  Almost locked it out in spite of the awkward bar position.  I'll work in the Super Plus for my last heavy workout next week.

 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

275x5

295x5

315x5

 

Shoulder P/Rehab on Friday . . . 

Thursday, October 8 - Bench Press

BWT - 295.0

 

Bench Press-

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x1

 

Super Katana 52 on . . . 

 

3-Boards -

405x3

500x3

585x1

 

2-Boards -

635x1

 

1-Board -

635x1          

Touched VERY low . . . almost the belt . . . but I got it down and back up.  I think a 650 might work with the sleeves un-torqued if I open in this shirt (and it would be very nice to stay in one shirt for all my attempts).  These are all PR weights at my current bodyweight.  My big benches so far have all been done at a weight of 310 or more.

 

3-Boards -

675x1

 

Did P/Rehab on Friday. 

Thursday, October 1 - Bench Press

BWT - 295.5

 

Bench Press-

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x1

 

Super Katana 52 on . . . 

3-Boards -

405x3

500x3

585x1

655x1

675x1

 

Finding a weight I can touch and press in this shirt will be a real challenge, but I'll do my best over the next few weeks.   I'll try some 2-boards with the sleeves cranked next week.

 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

225x5

275x5

295x5

315x5

 

P/Rehab and out . . . 

 

Monday, September 28 - Deadlift

BWT - 295.0

 

My left bicep is still very sore, so I went with a hook grip.  I also experimented with a modified sumo stance that's seems to make the set up much easier for me.

 

Deadlift -

225x5

315x3

405x2 (one conventional, one sumo)

495x1 (with sumo stance)

585x1 (with sumo stance)

690x0 (conventional)

Couldn't handle the thumb grip of the hook with this.  I need more conditioning to be able to block out the pain.

 

So . . . at this point I don't think I'll have a good showing in the deadlift at Worlds, so I'll be benching only.  I'll go back to the drawing board on some of my weaknesses, heal up my bicep, drop another 15 pounds after Worlds, and try for a run at a long-sought-after deadlift PR in 2010, hopefully before summer (maybe at Wisconsin Dells?).

The good news is that my team is looking EXCELLENT!  Yes, my own training has taken a back seat to my coaching, but that's my choice.  I love coaching and I love seeing my lifters get stronger and stronger.  I can't wait to show them off in Reno.

 

Coaching, light assistance, and out.

Thursday, September 24 - Bench Press

BWT - 295.0

 

Arm is sore but seemed to be okay on bench.  No discoloration so it's a strain rather than a tear.  A very close call.

 

Bench Press-

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x1

 

F6 Super Plus on . . . 

3-Boards -

405x5

500x3

585x1

 

2-Boards -

630x2  Very smooth and easy.

 

3-Boards -

655x2

500x14

 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

295x5

225x10

 

P/rehab and out . . . 

Monday, September 21 - Deadlift

BWT - 294.5

 

Deadlift -

225x5

315x3

405x1

495x1

585x1

690x0

I had the weight going up nicely past the knees, but I didn't have my underhand-grip side set due to my tight new suit (Titan Velocity).  The bar was slipping out of that hand, I unconsciously pulled with the bicep, and I damn near tore the bicep.

 

Ice on my arm and out . . . lots more ice at home.

Thursday, September 17 - Bench Press

BWT - 293.0

 

Bench Press -

 

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x1

 

F6 Super Plus on (for the first time since last year) . . . 

3-Boards -

405x5

500x3

 

2-Boards -

600x2  These were quite easy

 

3-Boards -

500x12

 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

295x5

225x10

 

Shoulder P/rehab and out . . .

Friday, September 11 - Bench Press

Bench Press -

 

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x5

335x3

 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

275x5

 

Shoulder P/rehab and out . . . 

Wednesday, September 9 - Deadlift

BWT - 293.5

 

Deadlift -

225x3

315x2

405x1

495x1

585x1

 

585 was pretty sluggish.  Actually, I'm feeling like I'm either overtrained or persistently tired from my schedule.  I'm going to skip next week and then switch to a Monday deadlift workout so I can come in after maximum rest on weekends.

 

Light assistance and out . . . 

Friday, September 3 - Bench Press

Close-Grip Bench Press -

135x10

185x10

225x10

275x5

 

Coaching, light assistance, and rest.

Wednesday, September 2 - Deadlift

BWT - 291

 

Deadlift -

225x3

315x2

405x1

495x1

585x1

675x0  Serratus cramped when I went down to the bar; had to abort.

675x0  Another serratus cramp.

675x0  Just before I went down to the bar . . . as I was getting focused and psyched . . . an idiot walks into the room, looks at the weight on the bar, and stupidly yells, "Hey!  Worlds Strongest Man!"  This totally broke my concentration, and I gave him some valuable words of advice about respecting the efforts of others by keeping his trap shut while in the gym.

675x1  Anger is helpful when harnessed.

 

This was a slow pull.  On the plus side, my stiff-leg work has helped, as has my grip work.  On the other hand, I think I'm still behind on rest and, as a result of my wild schedule, my nutrition is off.  I did this pull in a Titan Velocity sized 50.  I think I need a 48 with lengthened straps.  Next week I'll use the MaxDL while Ken tailors the Velocity.

 

Rack Squat -

425x1

515x1

605x1

695x1

785x1

875x1  PR

 

I had to sit down after the 875.  It was a tad heavy.

Thursday, August 27 - Bench Press

We had a HUGE crowd of newly recruited lifters today, but I did manage to get some benching in for a change.  Good thing I'm only deadlifting at Worlds this year.

 

Bench Press -

BARx20

135x10

185x5

225x5

275x1

315x1

 

F6 54 Super Neck on . . . 

 

3-boards -

405x5

 

2-boards -

500x3

 

Full Range -

500x1

 

Did a variety of light assistance between coaching and helping lifters with shirts.

Wednesday, August 26 - Deadlift

Bodyweight - 292

 

Deadlift -

225x5

315x3

405x1

495x1

585x1

 

The 585 felt slow and sluggish, likely due to falling behind on my rest in this, our first week of classes.  I did some light assistance work and focused on coaching.

Thursday, August 20 - Bench Press

I managed to get one warmup set with 135 before I got caught up in putting on shirts and coaching for about 10 of my lifters.  I desperately need an assistant coach . . . maybe two assistant coaches.  One of my current assistants doesn't have a schedule that allows him to be of much assistance.  Another is completing his police academy training and won't be available for another few months.  Since I went out of town on Friday, there was no bench workout for me for this week.

Wednesday, August 19 - Deadlift

BWT - 289.25 First time under 290 since 2005 I think.

Ken Anderson sent me two sizes of the new Titan Velocity to try. The 48 was too tight . . . couldn't get anywhere near the bar. The 50 worked very well. I'll work with it more, but it seems like it will outperform my MaxDL.

Deadlift -

225x5
315x3

405x1 Tried with straps up in the 48. Very bad form, so switched to the 50.

495x1 Still very tough to reach the bar.

585x1 Pulled the legs up a bit to get to the bar more easily.

650x1 Finally got the legs high enough for a very good pull. Smooth, strong, and pretty fast.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

605x0 Shut if down just after getting the bar off the floor. I could tell I was headed for a strain. Might have to ease up on stiffs as my DL target sets get heavier.  Not enough left after messing around with the new suits.

Rack Squat -

425x1
515x1
605x1
695x1
785x1
855x1 PR

Had to sit down for awhile. The 855 took about 8 seconds from start to finish and really wiped me out.
Thursday, August 13 - Bench Press

Bench Press -

bar x 20
135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x1

54 Katana on . . . 

3-board -

405x3
500x3

Twenty pounds less body weight makes quite a difference in the feel of this shirt.

Close-Grip Bench Press -

315x5

Shoulder P/rehab . . . 
Tuesday, August 11 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 291.5

Deadlift -

225x3
315x1
405x1

straps up . . .

495x1
585x1
640x1

Easier than 630 a couple weeks ago and faster than the 585. Moved my feet in slightly for more leg drive.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

595x1

One good rep, put it down, then just about collapsed from feeling dizzy and wobbly in the legs.

Rack Lockouts -

495x1
585x1
635x1
Friday, August 7 - Bench Press Day

Insufficient spotters for me to use a shirt today. Bummer.

Bench Press -

barx10
135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x5
365x1

Close-Grip Bench Press

315x5
275x5
225x10

Shoulder P/rehab . . . 
Thursday, August 6 - Deadlift Day

This is the first day this week I've felt well enough to lift.  I had a bad eye infection over the weekend and that and the medications have had me down a bit.  I just did deadlift assistance today.  I'll return to pulling off the floor next week.

Rack Squat -

225x5
315x3
425x1 (Added 100s to the bar here to save room for more plates.)
515x1
605x1
695x1
785x1 Felt good so I added another 50.
835x1

. . . a PR since my return to heavy deadlifting.

Wednesday, July 29 - Deadlift Day

NO BENCH PRESS THIS WEEK DUE TO TRAVEL OBLIGATIONS. :-(. . . 

Deadlift -

225x5
315x2
405x1

straps up . . . 

495x1
545x1
630x1

This is an off week for stiff legs.

Rack Lockouts -

405x1
495x1
585x1

Shrugs -

405x20
495x15
545x10

My belt was too tight . . . thought I was going to break a rib (if I didn't pass out first).
Thursday, July 23 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 294.0

Bench Press -

Kept it light, but no pain at the left brachialis insertion today.

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x5

I should do a better job of warming up to avoid these little tweaks in the future. Janne and Roger told me that years ago, but I haven't been following their advice. Lesson learned. I'm lucky I didn't tear anything.

Close-Grip Bench Press -

275x5
295x5

Heavy tricep pressdowns . . . 

Shoulder p/rehab . . . 
Tuesday, July 21 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 292.5

Deadlift -

Still pretty tired from weekend travel . . . 

225x5
315x2
405x1

straps up . . .

495x1
620x1

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

585x1

Didn't try a second here. The first rep went up fine, but I could feel I was low on energy, and I was starting to cramp in the upper left glute. Don't want a torn butt cheek.

Heavy dumbbell shrugs . . . 

Heavy dumbbell rows . . . 

Coaching, coaching, and more coaching.
Thursday, July 16 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 293.5

I warmed up in the bench to 275, but still had a strained, pulling sensation in the upper brachialis insertions on the left arm . . . so no benching for today. Hopefully another week of rest will help.

Full shoulder p/rehab routine . . . 
Tuesday, July 14 - Deadlift Day

BWT - OOPS . . . forgot to check

Deadlift -

225x5
315x3
405x1

Straps up . . .

495x1
605x1 Fast, smooth, easy.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

575x2 (with apologies to Ron)

Rack Squat -

405x1
495x1
585x1
675x1
725x1

Some upper back . . . 
Thursday, July 9 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 292.5

Didn't have the best spotting crew available so just went raw today . . . 

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x5
340x3
365x2

Close-Grip Bench Press -

325x0

As the bar reached the chest, I felt and heard a "crunch" in my left armpit. I played it safe and told the spotters to take it. Turns out to be a strain of the upper bracchialis.
Tuesday, July 7 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 293.5

A bit of sciatica today and didn't know how that would impact the workout . . . 

Deadlift -

225x5
315x3
405x1

Straps up . . .

495x1
585x1 Very easy . . . I feel like my old self. The stiff-legs have been doing the trick for me in spite of being off on the rack squats.

This is an off week for stiff-legs (partially out of respect for my good friend Ron).

Rack Lockouts -

315x1
405x1
495x1
585x1

Much as I hate lockouts, these felt better than usual.

Shrugs -

500x15
500x15

Some heavy upper back work . . . 

Sciatica went away during my first warmups.

Thursday, July 2 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 292.25 Weight is holding nicely steady.

My elbows are still slightly irritated, so I decided to work in my loose shirts again this week.

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x1

Katana 54 on . . . 

3-Boards -

405x5
500x5

Switch to F6 Super Neck 54 . . . 

Did a set of two with the first rep at a 2-Board and the second at a 1-Board

500x2

Full-Range -

500x1

This is the lightest weight I've been able to touch with in this shirt. This will be handy for an opener if I decide to bench in a USAPL meet.

Close-Grip Bench Press -

325x4
275x5

Heavy Tricep Pressdowns . . . 

Heavy Skullcrushers . . . 

Home for ice and Voltaren.

Tuesday, June 30 - Deadlift Day

BWT - Oops . . . forgot to check.

Deadlift -

Yes, I'm doing regular deads again in preparation for Worlds. I was wearing my Max DL 40.

135x5
225x3
315x1
405x1

Straps up . . . 

495x1
540x1

These were very easy, but I'm just practicing setup and working on speed for the next several weeks before the weights get challenging.  The 540 was crazy fast.  Seems like the heavy stiff legs have been helping.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

565x2 Nothing in the tank for a third, but I thought this was a good set. I've noticed that I lose energy very fast on heavy sets. But at 43 . . . hmmmm . . . suppose that's a function of age?

Rack Squats -

495x1
585x1
675x1
725x0

675 was slow. One of my butt cheeks cramped on 725. I felt off on these today. Probably a combination of nutrition and, more likely, hydration.

Trained with our new high school recruit, Jesus, a 114 who just graduated and will attend UHD starting in the fall. I'm pretty confident we can get him up near 450 in deadlift for Worlds, along with a 275-ish bench. As we start to get these experienced high school lifters on the team, we're going to become very, very hard to beat.

Thursday, June 25 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 292.2


Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x1

Used my loose shirt today due to spotters.  Also, seems like I've irritated my left elbow, probably doing deads or rack squats.

54 Katana on . . . 

3-Boards -

405x5

2-Boards -

500x3

Elbow was REALLY irritated so I called it a night on heavy benches. 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

225x12

Heavy Tricep Pressdowns . . . 
Full Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 

Home for ice, stim, and voltaren . . . 

Tuesday, June 23 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 292.0


Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

135x5
225x3
315x2
405x1
475x1
555x3 Matches my rep PR for this weight. First rep was fast; the next two were tough.

Rack Squat -

315x1
405x1
495x1
585x1
675x1
745x1

Pulldowns, Shrugs, lots of Coaching . . . 
Thursday, June 18 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 293.5


Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x1

F6 Super Plus on . . . 

3-Boards -

405x3
500x3
585x1

I had a brand new hand off crew and handoffs were VERY shaky. My target was 625, so I told them to load to 600 to see if they could simply lift the bar out of the rack. They couldn't . . . 

I'll remember to keep my loose shirt in my bag until I get the handoff situation figured out.

500x16

Close-Grip Bench Press -

325x4

Heavy Tricep Pressdowns . . . 
Full Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 
Tuesday, June 16 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 292.75

Wasn't sure about this workout since I got four hours sleep on Sunday and maybe 5.5 last night. Fortunately I was was able to hit my minimum reps (3) on the target set. With good rest I may have done a full five. I thought of trying a fourth, but didn't want to risk a strain as the third had taken alot out of me.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

135x5
225x3
315x1
425x1
535x3

My plan is to go in the coming weeks 555, 575, 595, and finally 615. Minimum reps will be 3. Anything more will be PR stuff. In early July I'll begin doing regular deads again.

Shrugs -

315x20
405x20
500x20

Home for food and MUCH NEEDED sleep . . . 
Thursday, June 11 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 292.5 Weight has been holding very steady in spite of strength increases . . . very good.

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x1

Super Plus on . . . 

3-Boards -

405x3
500x3
605x3
500x15

Close-Grip Bench Press -

325x3

Heavy Tricep Assistance . . . 

Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 

Still feeling Tuesday's great deadlift workout . . . OUCH

Tuesday, June 9 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 293.0

Another good workout.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
315x3
405x1
515x5

I'll give 535x3 a try next week. I'll begin regular deads again the end of June or first part of July. I'd like to have my stiffs up to 600 for 2 or 3 reps first.

Rack Squats -

405x1
495x1
585x1
675x1
725x1

I don't recommend doing these on consecutive weeks, but I'm interested to see how my body responds to two weeks on, one week off.

Robert Nguyen, our #1 lifter at 132, pulled his first 400+ today, a 405 for a single after 5 at 375. He should be good for 425 to 445 properly warmed up. We've put 200 pounds on his pull in twelve months and look for him to break 500 at WABDL Worlds in October.
Wednesday, June 3 - Bench Press Day

BWT - forgot to check

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x1

F6 Super Plus on . . . 

3-boards -

405x3
500x5
585x2
500x14

Decent for my first time in the shirt since last year . . . and at nearly 20 pounds lighter bodyweight.

Close-Grip Bench Press -

315x5

Tricep Pressdowns, One-Arm Tricep Cable Extensions, Hammer Curls
Tuesday, June 2 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 293

Probably the best deadlift workout I've had since moving to Houston in 2007!

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

135x5
225x5
315x3
405x1
495x5 The first three reps were easy; the last two were smooth and steady.

Rack Squats -

405x1
495x1
585x1
675x1

Didn't do much other assistance as I will be benching tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 20 - The Week's Workouts

BWT - Hovering between 292 and 294 this week.

Monday, May 18 - Deadlift

Stiff Legs - 135x10, 225x5, 315x3, 405x1, 475x5   Excellent set . . .

Wednesday, May 20 - Bench Press

135x10, 185x5, 225x5, 275x1, 315x1, 340x4

Close Grips - 315x4, 275x5

Heavy tricep work, followed by a full range of shoulder pre/hab.

No squat workout this week as I am leaving tomorrow for Denver for the weekend.  My younger brother Andy is getting married in Winter Park, Colorado.  Next week will be a rest week; Sports & Fitness is have floor work done in the gym.  Workouts will resume the first week of June.  My lifters will benefit from the rest since they've really been hitting it hard since Collegiate Nationals.

Sunday, May 17 - The Week's Workouts

BWT - Hovering between 291 and 293

Monday, May 11 - Deadlift

Still doing stiff-leg deadlifts until I feel my strength is back to "usual."

135x10, 225x5, 315x3, 405x1, 455x5

These felt good . . . no problem with the right calf.  Did some upper back and shrugs after.

Wednesday, May 13 - Bench Press

Continuing to bench RAW.  May go back into a loose shirt in June.

135x10, 185x5, 225x5, 275x1, 315x1, 335x4

Close Grips - 315x3, 275x5

Heavy tricep work, followed by a full range of shoulder pre/hab.

Friday, May 15 - Squat

135x5, 225x5, 275x1, 315x3

Still just experimenting with these.  No pain in my right calf.

Sunday, May 10 - Supplemental

BWT - 291.5

I will resume posting my logs in the coming week.  My recovery has been going well.  In particular, my bench has come along in spite of my bodyweight being down 20 pounds from the end of last year.  Last week I complete a set of 5 with 325 on the bench and did reps with 315 on close-grips.  I've also been going as heavy as 145 for skullcrushers.

I've resumed stiff-leg deadlifts, which have been going well even though my leg is still not 100%.  Last week I completed 5 reps with 405 and 3 with 455.

I've also resumed full squats for the first time in many years.  I'm doing them very carefully due to my leg, but managed a very deep set of 5 with 275 and followed up with very deep front squats for fives.

It looks like the vote in favor of single-ply for WABDL is overwhelming, helped I hope by the thirty votes for single ply that my lifters sent in.  It will be good to settle the ply issue in WABDL once and for all.

Sunday, April 5 - Supplemental

BWT - 288.5

I haven't posted workouts the last couple of weeks since I've been recovering from my leg injury. Leg training has been out of the question, and for bench and upper body I've just been doing some conditioning work. I'll start posting regular workouts again as soon as I can actually do regular workouts, probably in a week or so.

Leg is healing well and I've been cleared to do some bodyweight exercises this week.

In the meantime, some important matters:

First, Congratulations to Janne Heittokangas for winning the Finnish bench nationals at 275! For those who aren't ILPL folks, Janne was one of my training partners at UIUC while he was doing his post-doc and I was doing my doc. Janne now gets to represent Finland at the IPF Bench Worlds, which I hope will once again be broadcast live on the internet so I can watch his dumb ass win an IPF world title.

Second, Congratulations to the Michigan State Spartans for making it to the NCAA Championship Game! No one gave them a chance against Louisville, yet they shut the Cardinals down. No one gave them a chance against UConn, yet they consistently outplayed them and showed tremendous determination in their win. Every time UConn took a lead the Huskies seemed to relax, as if they thought that the Spartans would recognize the inevitable and accept their fate like so many other victims of UConn this season. And did anyone catch how cocky those Huskie players were when they were introduced? I had a thought as I was watching their self-aggrandizing that "wouldn't they feel really stupid watching footage of their behavior after they lose?" And lose they did. You'll never catch an athlete that I coach behaving like the Huskies. Their arrogance bespoke a general lack of class as well as a lack of respect for their opponents and, indeed, for the game itself.

And BOO to my Alma Mater, the University of Illinois. They lost in the opening round to Western Kentucky. Shameful!
Sunday, March 22 - Supplemental

I hadn't planned on training the week of March 9 due to the WABDL National Collegiate meet on March 14.  As it turned out, I wouldn't have been able to train legs or deadlift, anyway.  On that March 4 terrible set of stiff-leg deadlifts, I severely strained my right gastrocnemius on the inside of the leg, from ankle to knee.  On the following weekend I judged--which involved a few catches on the squat and alot of squatting to eyeball depth--and moved heavy plates.  This further aggravated the injury and by Sunday night the pain was enough to keep me awake.

Some of the swelling has gone down by now, and the most severe pain has passed.  But the muscle is still tight as a bowstring.  I'll visit my chiropractor who specializes in muscles this week and see if he can start to loosen it.  I'll return to benching in the coming week and train some upper back.  But legs and deadlift will still be out of the question for another week or two.

Another injury to bounce back from.  Nothing new for me.

Friday, March 6 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 288.5

Note: My schedule has been insane, with grading, committee work, an article, and preparing for Collegiates.  I'm only now updating my workout log for the last three weeks.  My workouts haven't been catastrophic considering how little time I have for my own workouts while I get my lifters ready for their meet.  But my progress is very, very slow, and my weight loss has impacted my bench.

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x3 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

295x3
272x5

Tricep Pressdowns - heavy

Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 

Wednesday, March 4 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 288.0

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
335x3
405x1
525x1   Tried a second but my form was TERRIBLE.  I set down the first one too far out in front of my legs.  Got stuck halfway up. 

Shrugs -

315x20
405x20
500x15

Friday, February 27 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 290.5

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x3 

Close-Grip Bench Press -

275x5
225x10

Tricep Pressdowns - heavy

Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 

Wednesday, February 25 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 291.5

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
335x3
405x1
505x3 

Shrugs -

315x20
405x20
500x15

Thursday, February 19 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 292.0

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
315x4

Close-Grip Bench Press -

275x5
225x10

Tricep Pressdowns - heavy

Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 

Wednesday, February 18 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 293.0

Ate something bad at lunch . . . not enough to make me queasy, but enough to make it feel like someone had slugged me. Didn't feel too good when my stomach pushed against the belt.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
335x1
405x1
485x3 Had more in me, but stomach hurt too much. Didn't wanna hurl.  As long as I get at least three on these sets I'm good.

Shrugs -

315x20
405x20
Friday, February 13 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 293.0

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
305x4 Getting it back little by little.

Close-Grip Bench Press -

275x5
225x10

Tricep Pressdowns - heavy

Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 
Wednesday, February 11 - Deadlift Day

BWT - 293.0

Ate something bad at lunch . . . not enough to make me queasy, but enough to make it feel like someone had slugged me. Didn't feel too good when my stomach pushed against the belt.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
335x1
405x1
485x3 Had more in me, but stomach hurt too much. Didn't wanna hurl.  As long as I get at least three on these sets I'm good.

Shrugs -

315x20
405x20
Friday, February 6 - Bench Press Day

BWT - 295ish (was wearing shoes)

Weight is still down about 15 pounds from last fall, but that's fine sine I'm training for a deadlift rather than a bench.

This was a wild day. For the first time I had lifters both deadlifting AND benching on a Friday. We do these lifts on two different floors, so I got my cardio running back and forth between them. As a result I didn't get much of my workout. This problem will lessen as our new members get up to speed along with our new assistant coach. I'll also try to get into the gym earlier on future Fridays.

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
275x1
295x4

Strength is coming back, but shoulders are still tweaked.

Close-Grip Bench Press -

225x6

Shoulder P/Rehab . . . 

I need to move these up to twice a week.
Wednesday, February 4 - Deadlift Day

BWT - Forgot to Check

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
335x3
405x1
465x5 This was so easy that I got pissed on the first couple of reps because I thought the guys has misloaded the bar. The load was right . . . my strength and speed are coming back.

Shrugs -

315x20
405x20
500x20
585x10

Lots of coaching, as usual.  Our team has nearly tripled in size since September as we are about to go over forty members.

Friday, January 30 - Bench Press

We had a couple of big recruiting events this week, so the gym has been crazy.  The team is up to about 30 members, but our circumstances don't allow for the training squads we had at UIUC.  I'm going to have to relay on my assistant coaches to carry some of the load as we grow.

Bodyweight is still down, elbows are achy, and shoulders aren't so great, so I'm taking the same approach as with deadlift: start low and build up slow.  Quality over quantity.

Bench Press - 275x5

Close-Grip Bench Press - 275x5

Heavy Pressdowns - 2 sets

Shoulder P/Rehab - full routine

Wednesday, January 28 - Deadlift

BWT - 294.0

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
315x5
445x5   Stiffs continue to move up as my strength returns.

Lots of coaching.

Friday, January 23 - Bench Press

This was the first week of classes, and due to scheduling confusion with some of my lifters I had to skip my bench workout this week so that I could work with some lifters in the shirt who can only come in on Fridays.

The team is looking better and better.  Attitudes are more serious and lifters are getting the hang of their gear.  We'll still have our hands full big time on March 14.

Wednesday, January 21 - Deadlift

BWT - 293.0

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
315x5
425x5   This set felt good.  My stamina is coming back, along with my strength.  I'll be back to 500 in stiffs in a month.  Since my next meet won't be for some time, I'm going to work my stiffs right up to 600+ before I start doing regular deadlifts again.  My previous best in stiff-legs is 605x2.

Shrugs -

315x25
405x25  I need to work these back up toward 600, too.  There's nothing like heavy shrugs after stiff-legs or rack lockouts to fry the traps.

Thursday, January 15 - Bench Press

BWT - 291.0  Weight is still way down.

Bench Press -

135x10
185x5
225x5
285x2  Stopped at 2; seems like I mildly tweaked my shoulder while doing stiffs yesterday, and I never take chanced with my shoulders.

Wednesday, January 14 - Deadlift

Moved my workout to Wednesday because our Tuesday crew was too big. Feeling better; just need to get rid of a bad cough.

Stiff-Leg Deadlift -

225x5
315x3
405x3

Better than I expected after what I've been through in the last month.
Friday, January 9 - Auxiliary Day

Full round of shoulder p/rehab today.

Thursday, January 8 - Bench Press

BWT - 295

This was my first workout since very early December. The flu and it's aftermath had me down for most of December. At one point I had lost 25 pounds. Just before Christmas I had an allergic reaction to the medication I was on and broke out in horrendous hives. My back looked rather alligator-like. I was put on prednisone to suppress my allergic reaction, which it did for the most part but not completely. It did get my appetite back, however. After the prednisone I was given a shot of another steroid (not anabolic), and it seems to have gotten my allergic reactions under control. I'm delaying the start of deadlift training until next week while my sports therapist/chiropractor works on my severely pulled right calf (I think I slipped on the ice when I was back home).

This workout was VERY light, but the weights actually felt better than I expected. In any case, it will be a long road back to competition shape. I probably won't be ready for Wisconsin Dells in April, though I'll try. If I won't be ready by April, I'll probably just focus on getting ready for WABDL Worlds in October.

Bench Press - 

135X10
185x5
225x5
275x5

Lots of stretching and shoulder p/rehab . . . 

Wow! I need cardio!

Monday, December 22 - Supplemental

Just a quick note to let folks know why I haven't put any new entries in my training log. Shortly after my last entry, I came down with a severe case of the flu. I was very sick for about two weeks; once I moved past the fever stage, I had no energy and very little appetite. I've lost nearly twenty pounds and have yet to train. I probably won't do any training until January to make sure I'm fully recovered.  I even had a flu shot this year, too.

 

© Copyright 2006 John H. Hudson.  All Rights Reserved.