Thursday, October 29, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2427


AM WORKOUT (0245 Wakeup.  Travel has been rough on me)


LITVINOV-esque (Front squat followed immediately by Rogue Butcher push loaded w/45lb plate.  Distance unknown but consistent)


8xBar/sprint

8x95/sprint

8x135/sprint

8x185/sprint (begin 90 second rests between sets)

3x8x255/sprint

3x8x225/sprint

8x185/sprint

25 followed immediately by 8 back squats/sprint


GHR

1x30


GHR sit ups

1x20


Chins (various grips)

Rest pause to 50


CONDITIONING


Assault bike tabata intervals



Breakfast


50 pull aparts


50 band pushdowns



Notes: Last workout before returning home, and then I'm going to take 2 days off before running my half.  Going to celebrate my birthday tomorrow, since I'll actually be home, and engage in some nutritional debauchery that should help carb load for the race.  I've been carb depleting leading up to that to make up for it.


This was an awesome workout.  I seem to be adapting to the front squats very well.  My hips are also aching significantly less.  Just really feeling like I'm firing on all cylinders, minus sleep being jacked.   

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2426


AM WORKOUT (0230 wake up, woke up from hunger, rookie mistake)


SUPERSET (press-chin)


Barbell strict press 

5xBar

5x65

3x135

3x155

8+3+3x175

14x135


Chins (underhand)

6x12


GIANT SETS (press-raise-pull apart): same rest protocol as last week: no rest between sets 1 and 2, 30 seconds between 2 and 3, 45 seconds between 3 and 4, 60 seconds between 4 and 5, 75 seconds between 5 and 6


BtN Press 95

6x10


KB lateral raise 18s

6x11


Band pull apart

6x15


5 MINUTE REST


GRACE WOD (30 barbell clean and presses w/135lbs)


5min 10 seconds


Kroc rows 125 w/rest pause

15+3+3


Shrug machine w/45s per side

1x55



Notes: Liked how this turned out, especially given the circumstances.  Grace in the middle was an interesting move, and ultimately I liked it.  Got in some more pressing and back work that way.  I've done Grace sub 3 minutes before, but that was fresh.  Hitting it with a bit of fatigue was a good challenge.  


My appetite is insatiable.  I actually woke up at midnight last night and ate some greek yogurt mixed with PB fit.  


Since it's my birthday, my pre-training meal/breakfast 1 this morning was a smores poptart with some greek yogurt and shredded miniwheat.  That poptart took me right back to my childhood.  Hard to eat just one.


Celebrated with a selfie as well.





I think I got a bit left in me.


Finished the day with 100 burpees done in 8:45.  Also forgot to log that part of my AM workout included 30 GHRs and 20 GHR sit ups.  Finished up the 25 pushdowns later.

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2425


AM WORKOUT (0330 Wake up, beat the alarm by 15 mins)


Squats

5xBar

5x135

3x225

1x275


REST PAUSE (12 Deep breaths between sets)

18x315

10x3x315

8x275

4x275

2x275

1x275

21x225


Chins (various grips)

Rest pause to 50


Machine Leg press dropsets (no rest between sets), no lockout

50x205

15x150

35x110

70 until boredom

5x250

5x300

1x390 (entire stack)


SUPERSET (ghr-swing)


GHRS

1x10

1x12

1x14

1x16


KB swing 70

4x10


CONDITIONING


Tabata Assault Bike



Notes: Really liked how this turned out today.  Hip was a little achy from the run yesterday, so I kept the weight light on squats and went for stupid rep volume. Beat last session by 2 reps on the topset and then just dug in and did something awful.  Leg prss worked better by just not allowing any lockouts. By allowing myself to lockout and recover, it was just taking forever.  Quads were really lit up this way.  I've noticed the difference in appetite when I end the session with conditioning vs not, so I made sure to include it so that I'd spend the rest of the day just eating.  I just finished my third breakfast and I'm still hungry, so that's good.

Monday, October 26, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2425


AM WORKOUT (0445 wake up)


1hr 40 min outdoor run


Notes: 6 days out from race, this felt solid.  Could tell when I was slowing down and had enough in me to speed up when I noticed.  Breathed through my nose the entire time, kept a leisurely pace.  Body felt well.  Left calf a little crampy and hip a little achy, but nothing screaming.


I come up with my best food ideas on long runs.  Came back and made my usual greek yogurt-protein powder-breakfast cereal parfait, but this time I broke up a quest bar (cinnamon roll) into a bunch of small pieces and threw it in, and it was a total gamechanger.  Adds a chewy texture to the yogurt: very candy bar-esque.  This may become a permanent thing for me. I already allot myself 1 quest bar a day as my treat: could just have it first thing in the morning with my yogurt, beef up the protein content even moreso.  Either way, got in some necessary calories.

Sunday, October 25, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2424


0500 WORKOUT (post 12 hour shift)


Close grip incline bench press 205

1x10

2x8


Bench press 235

2x10

1x9


DB bench press

7x110s


DROPSET (no rest between sets)

7x110

6x80

12x55

15x30

30x10

6 push ups


25x50lbs


Dips

Rest pause to 200


Cable curls (no rest between sets)

50x20 on the stack (whatever that number means)

50x10

50x5


CONDITIONING


Tabata battle ropes


Notes: 2:00 between sets.  Last 12 hour shift. I'm going to be staying awake until night time to get my clock reset, so this is my morning workout, with more to come.  Took a while to hit my stride in the workout, but felt pretty solid when it was all done.  Really like the craziness I'm coming up with on the dumbbell benching.



PM WORKOUT (1500)


Attempt at DT w/135lbs


3 rounds of

12 deadlifts

9 hang power cleans

6 push jerks/presses


GHR

30


GHR sit up

20


Tabata assault bike intervals


50 pull aparts


25 pushdowns



Notes: 5 rounds is RX, but felt my hip getting buggy on me and terminated workout at that point.  It's healed up enough that I don't need to bork it again.  Still a solid enough workout, and really I'm just training to stay awake at this point: I'm currently at 28 hours of unbroken consciousness and feeling well.  Went for a walk a little earlier, hit the fit trail and did 50 chins, which was also why I didn't go with Fran: already did a ton of chins today.

 Training Log: Entry 2423


0500 WORKOUT


Touch and Go Deadlifts

5x135

5x225

3x315


JUAREZ VALLEY 10 ala Josh Bryant (12 Deep Breaths between sets)

10x405

1x405

9x405

2x405

8x405

3x405

7x405

4x405

6x405

5x405


Cable rows

3x10 1 minute rest between sets


Chins (various grips)

Rest pause to 50


DB row run the rack (no rest between sets)

10x125

10x105

10x85

10x65

10x45

21x30


Shrug machine w/1 plate per side

1x50


10 chin ups


6.5 hours sleep


Immediately upon waking


Tabata 6 count burpees


50 band pull aparts


40 pushdowns


60 push ups (no lockout, focus on pec/pump)


40 straight arm band pulldowns (lats)


30 band good mornings


6 minute plank



Notes: I REALLY dug that Juarez valley protocol.  I've done similar stuff with the Blackjack workout, but doing it with just 1 movement was pretty unique.  Gets 55 reps in vs when I use the Xeno approach.  My deadlifts at this location tend to be a struggle in general, so this was a good change of pace.  Also, my hips actually felt pretty awesome during this, which is a first in a few weeks.  Toward the very end I felt a slight twinge, and it correlated with the bar drifting away from my body.  Reps were otherwise very controlled/slow, focused on pulling into the body.


I had a bunch of toys to play with for back work, but I stuck with what I knew worked for today, since time was short.  Shrug machine was already loaded while I was walking out of the gym, so I hopped on it, since those things are cool.



First thing in the morning fasted protocol is still pretty nifty.   6 minute plank was a challenge.  Not sure how much further I intend to push it.  This is my last 12 hour shift on this trip, so I can let things get a bit more normal from here.

 Training Log: Entry 2422

0500 WORKOUT


SUPERSETS (press-chin)


Barbell strict press

5xBar

5x115

5x125

5x145 (begin 90 second rests)

9+3+3x165 (rest pause)

13x145


Chins (alternate between over and underhand grip each set)

6x11



GIANT SETS (press-raise-pull apart)


Let me describe the rest protocol here, because I thought it was cool.  Between sets 1 and 2, there was no rest.  Between 2 and 3, 30 seconds.  45 seconds between 3 and 4.  1 minute between 4 and 5.  1:15 between 5 and 6.  I really liked that: might use it again in the future.



Behind the neck press 95lbs

6x10


Kettle bell lateral raise 18s

6x10


Band pull aparts

6x15


Kroc rows 130 w/rest pause

18+5+5



7 hours sleep


Immediately upon waking


Tabata Burpees


50 pull aparts


30 band pushdowns


60 push ups (no lockout, focus on pecs/pump)


30 band good mornings w/2 light bands


40 straight arm pulldowns with light bands (lit up my lats)


5.5 minute plank



Notes: Schedule is still crazy, but making it work.  My lifting sessions are on the shorter side, so I'm making up where I can on the morning workouts.  Did that completely fasted.  Nice way to start the morning and get blood flowing.  I actually tried doing some dips on the press workout, and my pecs were sore enough to stop me, which is a sign I found something pretty magical on that bench workout.  I dug what I came up with for supplemental work.  Didn't bring my elbow sleeves to the workout, so that sucked.  My press is free falling pretty badly, but the supplemental work is improving, so I'm getting bigger and stronger, just not on the thing that matters as far as strongman goes.  Going to keep riding it out for now.  I know exactly how to fix it when I need to: more specificity.

 Training Log: Entry 2421

AM WORKOUT (0515) BUT after 12 hour work shift, so really like a late workout


LITVINOV (front squat followed immediately by Rogue Butcher push loaded w/45lb plate, distance unknown but consistent)

8xBar/sprint

8x95/sprint

8x135/sprint

8x185/sprint (begin 90 second rests between sets)

8x225/sprint

2x8x245/sprint

7x245/sprint

8x225/sprint

8x185/sprint

22x135 followed immediately with 9x135 back squat/sprint


GHRs

1x30


7 HOURS SLEEP


Tabata 6 count burpees


50 band pull aparts


25 pushdowns


Breakfast


50 light band good mornings


5 minute plank


Notes: Alright, things are getting crazy schedule-wise.  My work moved our show time up to 1630, which made things just non-viable as far as afternoon training goes, so now I’ve moved to training immediately after work before I sleep.  I still need to keep things on the shorter side, so that I can get in some sleep while still having time upon waking to take care of some things (primarily making all the food I need for a 12 hour shift armed with only a microwave and a minifridge) and spending phone time with the family.  The Litvinov squat continues to be awesome for just that.  245 was a solid weight, and my front squatting seems to be improving rapidly, which makes sense given how rarely I train it.  The “salt the earth set” got awesome with that additional set of squats at the end.  Always liked that approach.


Tabata burpees are always a classic, and I was happy to get in a little fasted conditioning.  I miss my morning walks, but I’ll get back to those soon enough.  I’m finding stuff to wrap the band around in the hotel room to get some extra daily stuff in.  It’s been a great time for creativity as far as training and nutrition goes.  The 5 minute plank was a solid challenge: I’ll keep adding time to it while I’m here.  I’m wanting to find things I can do in the hotel room that don’t require getting to the gym.  I’ve got Josh Bryant’s “Jailhouse Strong”, which has been a good resource.  I think I’m going to steal the Juarez Valley protocol for my deadlift workout coming up.


I’m upset my finibar is no longer going to be breakfast but instead a workmeal.  I honestly really appreciated my morning ritual of just sitting down, eating my bar and drinking my energy drink before heading into the gym.  I’m big on that little 5 minute of meditation.  But I’m making due.  


For those nutritional deviants out there: I’m eating peanut butter quesadillas on this trip.  I use low carb tortillas and spread that Nuts n More PB on it so that it’s easy to transport.  They’re honestly pretty solid, but I do prefer sandwiches.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Training Log: Entry 2420

PM WORKOUT (1500)


Notes: Forgot that the location I'm at cleans the gym from 1300-1500 every day.  This changes this significantly, as I need to be done training by 1600 to fit in my work day.  I may transition to training after my 12 hour shifts at this point to be able to fit the training in, or do conditioning leading up to the 1500 open time, but either way, I had to call an audible today and get in as much training as I could in about a 55 minute window.  90 seconds rest between all sets


Close grip incline bench 205

2x10

1x6


Barbell bench press 230

2x10

1x6


DB Bench Press Dropset (no rest between sets)

7x105

6x75

8x45

30x20

Push ups x 8


90 second rest

20x50


Dips

Rest pause to 200


Chins (underhand) between sets of benching

A ton of sets of 11


Post workout meal


Light band curls

1x50


Band pull aparts

1x50


Notes: Things went well enough.  Shoulder isn't bothering me anymore, got in solid work, the dropset was gnarly.  Woulda liked to get in some conditioning, but the short rest periods helped at least.  My schedule is only going to be weird for the next few days, so it's not going to be too bad.


Nutritionally, on the way to the gym, I came across a Hawaiian BBQ food truck.  I asked how long they were going to be open, and they said they closed in the next 10 minutes...so I had teriyaki chicken and Hawaiian style beef ribs as my pre-workout meal, which came after my finibar.  Needless to say, I had some good energy for the workout.


Oh yeah, I got 8.5 hours of sleep: from 0400 to 1300.  Part of me wonders if my internal clock is just messed up.  I seem to sleep better during the day.

Friday, October 23, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2419

PM WORKOUT (2000)


Squats

5xBar

5x135

3x225


REST PAUSE (12 deep reaths between sets)

16x315

6x315

2x4x315

2x315

1x315

11x5x275

10x225


Machine leg press

151 reps w/190 selected (only locking out when needed to recover for more reps, all done in one "set")


GHRs (1 minute rest between sets)

4x10


Rogue butcher pushes w/45lb plate loaded (distance unknown, but length of gym floor)

1x14 w/30 second rests between sets

6 trips without rest between sets



Notes: Arrived on location and found out that I'm working nights starting tomorrow, so got in a crazy lower body workout to help pass time, as I'm going to be staying up all night to get to sleep in the morning and get my sleep schedule semi-right.  I may actually do some benching in a few hours at this rate too.


Been a long while since I trained at night.  Hips still aren't 100%, but keeps getting better.  I didn't give my all on the topset or the first backoff, left a little it behind and made it show in the sets of 5.  To show how my mind works: 10 was the goal, and on the 9th set I told myself "just one more set", and upon finishing the 10th set I was excited to be done...which upset me that I was excited to be done, so I made sure to do 1 more set after that to teach my body that there will be no breaks and we're just going to keep going.  A similar thing happens whenever I do conditioning work.


Always dig what I can do with a leg press here.  Total quad annihilation.  


The prowler work wasn't as tough as I imagined it to be.  Needed to load it heavier. 45 works for Litvinov, but heavier needs to happen on it's own.


This is what the top shelf of my dresser looks like in my hotel





I'm pretty proud of it.  I also hit the ground running and bought a bunch of provisions when I got here.  I should be able to eat well: just basic.  On that note, I had a Finibar before this workout.  If nothing else, they inspire me to train harder, because it's more calories and carbs than I'm used to.


The microwave egg cooker is answering the mail so far.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2418

0420 Wake Up (On my own)


Longest walk so far.  Just keep pushing the distance.  Fasted, w/45lb vest.


Breakfast


6 rounds of the following

10 chins (various grips)

4 standing ab wheel

10 KB swings


40 pull aparts


25 pushdowns


30 GHRs


Trap bar was calling my name, so did some tabata high handle pulls.  Really feel like I found something magical on there.

Notes: Traveling later today.  Eating a bunch this morning while I still have access to real food, and honestly, I'm just hungry.  It's nice to have that.  Gonna try to grab a real workout when I arrive.  First KB swings in a few days: hips are feeling better. Still not 100%, but good enough for swings.



PM WORKOUT (2000)


Squats

5xBar

5x135

3x225


REST PAUSE (12 deep reaths between sets)

16x315

6x315

2x4x315

2x315

1x315

11x5x275

10x225


Machine leg press

151 reps w/190 selected (only locking out when needed to recover for more reps, all done in one "set")


GHRs (1 minute rest between sets)

4x10


Rogue butcher pushes w/45lb plate loaded (distance unknown, but length of gym floor)

1x14 w/30 second rests between sets

6 trips without rest between sets



Notes: Arrived on location and found out that I'm working nights starting tomorrow, so got in a crazy lower body workout to help pass time, as I'm going to be staying up all night to get to sleep in the morning and get my sleep schedule semi-right.  I may actually do some benching in a few hours at this rate too.


Been a long while since I trained at night.  Hips still aren't 100%, but keeps getting better.  I didn't give my all on the topset or the first backoff, left a little it behind and made it show in the sets of 5.  To show how my mind works: 10 was the goal, and on the 9th set I told myself "just one more set", and upon finishing the 10th set I was excited to be done...which upset me that I was excited to be done, so I made sure to do 1 more set after that to teach my body that there will be no breaks and we're just going to keep going.  A similar thing happens whenever I do conditioning work.


Always dig what I can do with a leg press here.  Total quad annihilation.  


The prowler work wasn't as tough as I imagined it to be.  Needed to load it heavier. 45 works for Litvinov, but heavier needs to happen on it's own.


This is what the top shelf of my dresser looks like in my hotel


https://i.imgur.com/9XF04GY.jpg






I'm pretty proud of it.  I also hit the ground running and bought a bunch of provisions when I got here.  I should be able to eat well: just basic.  On that note, I had a Finibar before this workout.  If nothing else, they inspire me to train harder, because it's more calories and carbs than I'm used to.


The microwave egg cooker is answering the mail so far.




Monday, October 19, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2417

0337 Wake Up (Dog again.  I'm pretty much using her like an alarm clock at this point)


SUPERSETS (chin-press)


Weighted Chins (underhand)

5x50

3x95

1x120

1x145

5x95


Axle strict press

5xAxle

5x66

5x156

3x176

3+1x196 (rest pause)


Log clean and strict press away w/rest pause 155

11+3+3


GIANT SETS (dip/press or press/dip-raise-pull apart) 90 second rests between sets


Weighted dips 105/DB press 50s

1x12/failure

2x8/failure


BtN Press 120/BW dips

1x10/failure

1x9/failure

1x8/failure


DB lateral raise 15s

3x14

3x13


Band pull aparts

3x14

3x13


Poundstone Curls

130xAxle


50 minute walk w/45lb vest


Notes: Wanted to get in the lifting first and then walk for as long as I had time after that.  My shoulder is feeling pretty good, but there's still a little bit of instability, so I didn't push the topset as hard as I could.  In turn, I moved some rest pausing to the backoff set.  I liked how that turned out, and it may continue to appear in the future.  Dips took a little hit this week.  On the second set, I blacked out pretty hard on rep 3 and had to fight to regain consciousness, which added a challenge to the set.  Otherwise, it was a solid workout.  Hit the Poundstone curls because I'll be traveling soon somewhere that doesn't have an axle, so I'm taking advantage of that.  Will hit some Kroc rows later: training so early in the morning, I didn't want to make too much noise.


Saw 183 on the scale before bed last night.  Was 181 last time. Pre-bed isn't the best weighing time for the sake of consistency, but it's about the only time I really have to get it done.  Been eating well.

Rest of training day


Got in Kroc rows of 115 w/rest pause

28+6+5


Braced off my power keg instead of my power rack, and it worked out REALLY well.  I'll have to remember that for the future.  


Daily work


50 rest pause chins


40 pull aparts


25 pushdowns


30 GHRs


50 unloaded reverse hypers



And then went on a 4 mile run with the Mrs.



I travel tomorrow in the afternoon.  May be able to get in a squat workout on my arrival.

Sunday, October 18, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2416

Another 0400 wake up with the dog, but it meant I got 7 hours of sleep, which is the most I've had in a LONG time.  The high fat meals before bed seem to be helping.  I'm still waking up hungry, but I'm not waking up FROM hunger.


The older dog flat out refused to walk today.  Put himself in the kennel and wouldn't come out.  It was for the best: it was 34 degrees and sleeting.  It meant me and the younger dog went on the most active walk since this whole thing kicked off.  Went slightly further than before with minimal stopping: think the weather was motivating the pooch.  Still had the vest, but wore a sweatshirt over it to keep it from getting saturated with water.


From there


50 rest pause chins


40 band pull aparts


25 pushdowns


50 unloaded reverse hypers (feet in the straps, no weight)


30 GHRs


Breakfast


20 standing ab wheel


Tabata high handle trap bar pulls w/135.  Focused on locking out on this one vs starting the pull.  More emphasis in the glutes vs the quads



That's most likely going to be it for training for today, unless the kiddo wants to get something done.

Saturday, October 17, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2415


0400 Wake Up (Dog was being a total rascal.  I was actually ready to sleep more, but with it being Saturday, I took the dog so the wife could get some more sleep)


Longest walk yet with the 45lb vest. Did it fasted.  Really proud of how well my oldest dog is doing.


Then


50 Rest Pause chins


40 pull aparts


25 pushdowns


50 bodyweight reverse hypers


Breakfast


20 Standing ab wheel


30 GHRs



PM WORKOUT (1330)


Max Effort Lower


(1) Elevated High Handle Trap Bar pulls

5x135

5x225

3x315

1x405

1x495

1x585

1x635 (shut it down here: right hip was being angry)


GIANT SETS (pull-row-chin-neck)-90 second rests between sets


Touch and go high handle trap bar lift 460

5x9


T-bar rows 3 plates

2x13

2x12

1x10


Chins (various grips)

4x8

1x5


Neck harness 55

11,10,9,8,8


90 second rest


T-bar row stripset

10x3 plates

10x2 plates

13x1 plate


D-handle lat pulldown (resting long enough between sets to put away a plate per side off the deadlift bar)

10x130

8x130

7x130


STRIPSET

10x130

6x120

6x120

7x110

10x90


1 minute rest


Tabata high handle trap bar lifts w/135lbs



Notes: Had to call an audible on the workout.  The hip is mostly healed, but I could feel it tweaking under the load, and knew that pushing it would result in the same thing as last week: blowing it all out on the first set and having nothing for the rest of the workout.  Wanted a decent workout today, so went heavy-ish, shut it down, and did extra rounds of the giant set.  Happy with that trade off.  The pain is interesting: it's not the lifting that triggers it: it's the setting down/racking the weight that does.  Something about relieving the load from my body puts the body through something.  It meant I had to take the eccentric VERY slow on the trap bar lifts, and even the t-bar rows I needed to be ginger on.


Man, if you think those tabata pulls suck when you're fresh, try hitting them at the END of a workout.  Great finisher.


Turned out I most likely DID tear a muscle the other day with that bench workout: the bruising is finally started to show through.  Similar to my hamstring: there was a delay.  I've already got a million great ideas on what to do with my bench workout for now, so no concerns there.  The shoulder feels great as is, but I can track some performance degrade in it.


Thursday, October 15, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2414


Ok, HUGE backlog of training here.


TUESDAY 


I finished up my daily training and took the dogs for a walk in the afternoon.  Wore my vest.  It was too hot for the oldest one to do the full distance: he stopped walking at the halfway point, so I carried him the rest of the way.  He's about 20ish pounds, so added resistance.  Then, later that evening, Mrs and I did a 5k powerwalk. You might chortle at the idea of powerwalking, but when you do it with someone that's run damn near 30 half marathons and 2 fulls, your butt will get left behind unless you keep up.  I had to cheat at a few points and jog to get back on pace.


WEDNESDAY


Dogs got me up at 0350.  Longest weighted vest walk so far.  We just keep pushing the distance.  The oldest one does just fine in the morning, while the weather is cool.


AM WORKOUT (0700ish)


(4) DB bench 105s

1x8

1x4 (pec/shoulder tweak)

1x7

1x6


Axle bench press 210+chains

1x10

1x7

RESTPAUSE

1x6+2+4(no chains)


(2) Close grip incline bench press 185

3x10


Underhand chins between sets of benching

2x11

10x10    


Dips (rest pause)

60+20+20+whatever else I did to get to 200+


Notes: Tweaked what I thought was my tricep initially but turned out to be my shoulder/pec getting the DBs into position on the second set, right side.  I dorked up my set up, and was too focused on getting my feet into place, and by doing that I wasn't able to kick the DB up like I normally do.  Trying to curl it into place proved a poor decision.  That said, all I have is pain, rather than dysfunction, and I felt like I COULD keep going at 4 reps, but ALSO felt like it could be the very thing to tear a muscle, so I cut that set short and did a quick re-evaluation.  I could keep moving, just with pain, so I kept it up.  It's a day later now, and I woke up swollen on that side, still have pain, but can also still move, so good enough.


2 HOURS LATER


1hr 45 min walk outside.  Had the day off work, and the weather was nice.  It'll be winter soon enough, and I can be cooped up then.  Tempted to wear the weighted vest, but I'm trying to learn some amount of moderation in life, and that not everything needs to be training.


Daily workout got done, minus the KB swings.  They seem to be beating up my hips too much after that deadlift workout.  Swapped it with bodyweight reverse hypers.  Pull ups are a little tough with the shoulder snag, so I've been taking my time and going slow on them.


Went to Golden Corral for dinner and absolutely destroyed it.  I actually ate a huge plate of veggies beforehand thinking it would do something to limit me, but my voracious appetite is back in full force.  It's honestly great to feel this way again.  I made much better choices than I normally do, sticking with white meats with a VERY small sampling (1 forkfull) of 3 different red meats (meatloaf, pot roast, and some sort of hamburger steak: I miss them all).  I ate a TON of sautaued peppers, onions and mushrooms.  They were amazing.  Also a large plate of salad.  I honestly can't seem to get enough veggies these days.


TODAY


0314 Wakeup (beat alarm by 1 minute)


Every minute on the minute, for 30 minutes

Odd minute: Front squats 3x190

Even minute: SSB squats 3x260


2 minute rest


Front squats 135

1x21


Chin-pulll apart-pushdown circuit (various grips on chins, no rest between circuits)

15

10

7

7

7

6


Notes: Still really digging this workout for getting in volume and conditioning.  5 extra pounds and doing it first thing in the morning definitely added challenge.  On set 30, I was pausing between reps on the SSB, and that let me know it was time to shut it down.  Did a "salt the earth" set with the front squat to put some polish on it.  After last night's nutritional debauchery, definitely no need for carb loading, so stuck with the breakfast of 1/4 donut and 2 hard boiled eggs.  



On the sleep front: gave my wife the job of calling me out on my nutrition.  It's been tough mentally transitioning from loss to gain, and I caught myself eating a meal of pure veggies before bed for 2 nights in a row and, consequently, waking up hungry/from hunger early in the morning.  Prior to that, I was eating a higher fat meal before bed (typically peanut butter) and sleeping longer.  So her job is to call me out if I don't eat my high fat meal before bed.  Right now, it's macadamia nuts: I had NO idea how awesome these things are.   Taste obviously, but they're also low carb/low protein and pretty much pure fat, and the fat is almost entirely monounsaturated fats.  Just crazy.

6 miles run with the Mrs.  In the afternoon, and then walked the dogs in the evening (no vest).  We went on a good pace on the run.  The treadmill makes me lazy: I made sure to actually focus on pushing off the floor with my feet here and it made the pace much stronger. 

Monday, October 12, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2413

AM WORKOUT (0315 Wake-up by alarm clock: working early shift)


SUPERSETS (press-chin): 90 second rests between last 2 sets


Axle strict press

5xAxle

5x66

3x146

3x166

5+2+1x186 (rest pause)

11x186


Chin (underhand)

3x55

3x80

3x105

3x110

2x3x115


GIANT SETS (dip/DB press OR press/dip-raise-pull apart): 90 second rest between sets


Weighted dips 105/DB press 50s

1x12/failure

1x11/failure

1x9/failure


BtN press 120/dips

1x10/failure

1x9/failure

1x8/failure


DB lateral raise 15

2x14

4x13


Band pull aparts

2x14

4x13


Poundstone curls

129xAxle



Notes: Hips/glute are better, but not 100%.  Picking heavy stuff off the floor isn't the best idea right now, and training so early in the morning I didn't want to clang and bang and wake up my sleeping bride, so I ditched the log and kroc rows for now and put the Poundstone curls in early.  Might come back later today for a part II and get it in, but we'll see.  With my hips junked up, topset was Princess Bride "to the pain" style, rather than worrying about hitting PRs.  I pushed as hard as I could, which is where I'll see growth.  On that note, my supplemental work rocked, and I saw growth all around there.  My shoulders are really blowing up from this.  Loading pin on the dip belt is swinging a bit, which can be annoying, but also adds an element of challenge.



Breakfast before training was 2 hardboiled eggs.  Now that I'm no longer in a calorie deficit, I'm starting to lean away from large meals right before training.  It made sense before when I was running on such low calories and needed a boost, but now that I've got a steady stream of nutrients, it doesn't seem entirely necessary.  These were also organic cage free/free range eggs, as per John Meadows recommendation.  I used to say I couldn't stand cold hard boiled eggs, but I do wonder if it's because I was eating low quality eggs.  These weren't delicious, but definitely more palatable than what I've had before.  Plan is to make them the staple this week: trying to include healthier sources of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol.  I feel like it's helping, as everyday I'm feeling more and more like "me".  My forehead looks like a warzone with acne, and I have a voracious appetite, which is pretty much what I remember being.  


Cooked a grassfed new york strip steak yesterday and it turned out much better than the ribeye I made.  Seems the trick is to season them more than I'm used to.  



Also, date night cuisine was fantastic: had a buffalo chicken slider for an appetizer, which was the first "real" bread I've had in quite a while, and it was phenomenal.  Then had a bone in porkchop with a bacon/Gouda gravy, asparagus and mashed potatoes.  Mashed potatoes are the warm fluffy glue that holds the world together.  Spent the rest of the evening walking around downtown and found a bunch of novelty shops that sold a ton of nostalgia merchandise: ninja turtle action figures, X-men figures and cards, comic books, cabbage patch kids, pretty much my entire childhood.  Bought a pack of random Magic the Gather Cards for $3: still need to open them.  Just a great night.  Good for the soul.

PM WORKOUT with the kid


5 round circuit of

10 pull ups

4 standing ab wheel

10 KB swings


(Kid did 10 KB squats, 10 standing high jumps and 10 KB swings)


25 pushdowns


40 pull aparts


Kroc rows 115 w/rest pause

26+6+5 (kid did a straight set of 20)


GHR 30


Notes: Since I was getting this done while we were all awake, brought the kiddo into the garage with me.  They did well enough.  I'm less of a form police when it comes to lifting vs TKD: imagine that.  Didn't quite make my heart explode on the circuit or go totally balls to the wall on the kroc rows, as I didn't need my kid to see that, but still a solid workout.  Hip is ok.  Not 100%, but good enough.  Will do some unweighted walks with the dogs later today.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2412


0430 Wake-up (Dog got me up, but I was pretty awake at that point)


50-ish minute weighted vest walk w/45lbs w/dogs (going just a little further every time)


Breakfast


5 round circuit of 

10 chins (new grip each time)

4 standing ab wheel

10 KB swings


35 band pull aparts


25 band pushdowns


35 GHRs


PM WORKOUT (1400ish)


(4) Mat pulls (touch and go)

5x135+chains

5x225+chains

3x315+chains

1x405+chains

6+3+3x495+chains

3 minute rest

4+2x495+chains


GIANT SET (pulldown-pull apart-neck): rest only long enough to put away a 45lb plate from the deadlift bar between sets


Pulldown 130 w/d-rings

7x10


Pull apart

7x10


Neck harness 55

7x10


Pulldown stripset

17x130

7x120

6x110

7x90


DB power cleans 10s

1x100


Reverse hypers

50xBodyweight

50x50lbs



Notes: Morning stuff is pretty typical.  For the PM workout, I came into it knowing deadlifts were a bad idea.  Hips are pissed at me.  I was able to gut out the main work, but once that was done, my right hip/glute wasn't speaking with me any more and I had some numbness going down the leg, so I went with some easier work.  Plan was a circuit of 10 rounds, but I got a phone call after the 7th round that just threw the whole thing off, so I went with stripsets, brought in a classic with DB power cleans and finished off with the reverse hypers just to get the blood flowing.  



Tomorrow, I'll hit up the daily stuff maybe and then just call it.  I'm definitely due a day of rest.


Friday, October 9, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2411

0430 Wake Up (got up on my own, dog was a little rascally, figured it was good enough)


50-ish minute walk w/45lb weighted vest


Breakfast


5 round circuit of 

10 chins (new grip each set)

4 standing ab wheel

10 KB swings


Time: 5:22 (6 second improvement)


Band pull aparts

35


Band pushdowns

25


AM WORKOUT (0730)


45 Minute Every Minute on the Minute workout

Odd minute: 3 reps of front squats with 185lbs

Even minute: 3 reps of SSB squat w/255lbs


GHR

1x30


Notes: Sleep continues to improve.  I could have dozed again, but honestly wanted to get the walk in with the dogs while it was still early and cool.  Did some fasted walking today, stealing from DoggCrapp.  That circuit continues to be a great way to get in my daily work.  


EMOM was an awesome workout: good split between conditioning and building.  Allows me to get in my front squat and SSB work too.  Definitely wanna keep that going.  30 minutes was the original goal, and 45 was the stretch.  Had a little more in me, but with it being a first exposure and deadlifts coming up next workout, wanted to wait and see on it.


Making today a moderate carb day.  Haven't done that before.  Feel like this is the kind of workout that supports that sort of day.  

Thursday, October 8, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2410

Actually woke up when the Mrs alarm went off at 0550 this morning.  I WAS awake at 0415 when one of the dogs started spinning up, but I was able to doze off and on after that.  Significant win.  Changed up the morning routine a bit.  Had breakfast, then did the following circuit


5 rounds

10 chins

4 standing ab wheel

10 KB swings


Done in 5:28.  I REALLY like this approach to get all the work in for a relatively short amount of time.  I may add 1 more rep to the ab wheel and possibly 2 to the swings.  Chins were a different grip each time.


Hit 35 pull aparts and 25 press downs, took the dogs for a weighted vest walk, came back and did 30 GHRs.  Supposed to run with the Mrs later today, but also got some landscappers coming out that may require my attention, so we'll see.


LUNCHTIME WORKOUT


5 mile run


Grippers (dropset)

6 forced closes with the 2.5

6 forced closes with the 2 

8 reps with the 1

11 with the trainer with a 20 second hold at the end



Notes: Running was the absolute last thing I wanted to do today, but it was good for me to get out and do it.  Seemed to help loosen the body up, and though we moved slow, I didn't feel winded at the time.  Race is coming up, and I'm just going to gut it out at this point.  It became a low training priority once all this health stuff cropped up, but I still appreciate the experience.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2409


DAILY TRAINING (0410 Wake Up, 20 minutes more sleep than usual)


Conditioning workout (untimed)

10 chins

1 swing

1 chin

10 swings

9 chins

2 swings

2 chins

9 swings

8 chins

3 swings

3 chins

8 swings

etc until meeting in the middle at 6s and 5s, various grips on the chins


35 band pull aparts


25 band pushdowns


20 standing ab wheels


Breakfast


50ish minute weighted vest walk w/45lb vest


30 GHRs



AM WORKOUT (0700ish)


(4) Incline DB bench 105s

1x8

1x7

1x6


(2) Close grip incline pause bench 165

3x10


Axle bench press 210+chains

1x10

1x8

REST PAUSE

1x7+3+4(no chains)

+4x135 on close grip incline bench


Chins (underhand) between sets of benching

1x11

12x10


Dips

57+rest pause to 200 total


Poundstone curls

128xAxle


CONDITIONING


Stone of Steel to Shoulder

15 reps in 4 minutes



Notes: 2:30 between sets of benching.  Morning routine a little broken up with my pugs being a bit rascally.  Decided to make the lifting workout a total bicep slaughterfest by sticking with underhand grip chins, then the curls, then stone to shoulder.  My hips are feeling really beat up today: I think the failed squat is the culprit.  Meeting all my previous reps on the DB press with shorter rest periods is great progress, especially since the very first set the bells went EVERYWHERE on reps 4 and 6 and needed some recovery love.  I've found a better way to set my feet on the bench, which I used for the next 2 sets.  Should make the next workouts real solid.  Getting the bells in place is a bit of a struggle now.  


I'm working middle shifts this week, so got to bed a bit later than usual yesterday but was still very much awake before bed and rose well rested in the morning.


Tuesday, October 6, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2408

DAILY TRAINING (0350 Wakeup)


Chins w/rest pause

29 underhand

8 NG

8 Wide grip NG

6 close grip NG


35 band pull aparts


25 band pushdowns


20 standing ab wheel


Tabata KB swings


30 GHR


Breakfast


45ish minute walk with dogs w/45lb weight vest


Notes: I seem to be getting about an hour more sleep out of the melatonin.  Dogs still are a factor: the youngest one has gotten used to my sleep hours, so now she starts getting excited around 0330.  At that point, I'm already pretty much ready to go myself, but I allow myself to doze a little longer.


AM TRAINING (0700-ish)


Buffalo Bar Squats

5xBar

5x140

3x230

1x320


REST PAUSE (12 deep breaths between sets)

7x390

3x390

2x2x390

1x390

4x5x320 (failed on 5th rep of 4th set)

Strip-rerack bar

7x300

20x230


90 second rest


SUPERSETS (squat-hyper), 90 seconds between sets


Belt squat (lockout only when necessary on reps)

20x160

18x160

16x160

STRIPSET (no rest between sets)

15x160

15x125

15x90

15x45


Reverse hyper 360

4x13


Notes: Skimped the conditioning at the end, because I wanted to work on a ridiculous chili that's going to feed me all week at work.  Let me brag about that first, since it's currently cooking.





That's it in the browning stage.  That is 1lb of ground turkey, 1.25lbs of ground grassfed beef, an undetermined amount of seafood medley and some leftover tri tip steak.  I actually had some leftover chicken thighs I meant to throw in: next time.  Along with that is a mixed variety of different crushed canned tomatoes.  No beans, because, again, Texas.


Here it is in the instant pot, with 1 cup of beef stock.





It smells amazing.  Will report taste later.


The squat workout is evolving again.  I really liked that 5x5 I did in the middle of the last one, and wanted to bring that back.  The squat failure was unique: got 3/4 of the way up and just froze.  Couldn't complete the lockout.  Fought for quite a few seconds before it went back down.  That's happened in a few powerlifting meets with me.  Definitely a great chance to get stronger.  Same with racking the weights and getting back under the bar.


That belt squat workout was BRUTAL.  Staying away from lockout really goes far.  

Monday, October 5, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2407


DAILY TRAINING (0350 wakeup)


Conditioning Monstrosity in 4:27


Idea was to do 10 pull ups, 1 KB swing, then 1 pull up, 10 swings, then 9 and 2, 2 and 9, and meet at the middle at 5s.  Pretty sure that was way too much for my brain first thing in the morning, but I got SOMETHING done in 4:27 that got my heart rate up.


Band pull aparts

35


Band pushdowns

25


Standing ab wheel

20


GHRs

30


Breakfast


45-ish minute walk w/45lb weight vest


Notes: Sleeping more/more restfully now.  Yesterday I had the least caffeine I'd had in a while: 300mg with my morning energy drink, and that was it.  Typically I have a few diet cokes/mountain dews through the day, but trying to see if limiting intake matters.  In truth, I think I actually sleep BETTER with late day caffeine, but it's worth the experiment.  Also had some peanut butter close to bed time to see if having some fats in the system would have any impact.  Not like I need an excuse to eat more peanut butter. Having just one spoonful, it dawned on me how easily I could eat the whole jar.


Had my ribeye yesterday.  It was honestly dissapointing.  However, my Mrs informed me that her steak was underseasoned.  She brought it up because she prefers it that way, so it was a compliment to me, but it leads me to believe that the issue may be I'm just out practice preparing steaks.  It'd be a shame if I lost my taste for them, although I DID enjoy the one I had at Texas Roadhouse.  Could just be that the grassfed stuff I got is way leaner that I'm used to.


I'm developing acne again, which I honestly think is a good sign.  I've had acne my whole life, and recently my complexion cleared up out of nowhere.  At first, I thought it was from reduced milk intake, but it honestly may have been a sign of hormone changes brought upon by stupid levels of leanness and statin use.  Been a crazy rollercoaster of health this year.


LATE AM WORKOUT (0800ish)


SUPERSETS (chin-press)


Chin ups (palms facing me)

5x55

2x5x95

2x5x75

6x75


Axle strict press

5xAxle

5x66

5x136

5x156

8+3+3x176 (rest pause w/12 deep breaths)


Trap bar strict press 135

1x14


GIANT SETS (weighted dips/DB press OR BtN press/BW dips-lateral raise-pull apart)


Weighted dips 105/DB press 50

1x12/failure

1x9/failure

1x8/failure


BtN press 120/BW dips

1x10/failure

1x8/failure

1x7/failure


DB lateral raises 15

1x14

5x13


Band pull aparts

1x14

5x13


Kroc rows 115

1x23+5+3


CONDITIONING


Tabata rounds on BAS


2 mile walk


Notes: 90 seconds rest between giant sets.  No rest on the mainwork.  The chins have identified an interesting strength deficiency: I'm MUCH stronger with neutral grip. Definitely excited to fix this, as chins make you jacked. 


The press is still a touch heavier than I like for a 5s week: I may walk it back 2 cycles come next go round.  More reps are going to be how I grow.  The final +3 was a near life experience, so I was pleased with the grind.


Kept hitting the back of my head on the first set of BtN press: my set-up is different than where I was.  Grip was too narrow too.  After giving it a legit 2 weeks, I'm unsold on the Paul Carter program, and will just stick with what I have here.


Did the Kroc rows bracing off the pins in my power rack vs on a flat bench.  Better set-up for torso angle and getting the legs out of the way of the bell.


Making conscious efforts to get in more food.  Today's been a decent high fat day.  Pleased with the good sources I'm relying on.  Tomorrow I'm going to make a chili to feed me all week.  Going to be based off ground turkey, grass fed ground beef, left over tri tip steak, and some seafood medley.  No beans, because Texas is awesome.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2406

PM WORKOUT

MAX EFFORT LOWER

High Handle Trap Bar Pulls
5x135
5x225
3x315
1x405
1x495
1x585
1x635
1x655 (PR by degree of ultra mega grindiness)
1x635

 

GIANT SETS (pull-row-chin-neck) 90 seconds rest between sets

Touch and go High handle trap bar pulls 460
3x10

T-bar rows 3 plates
2x13
1x12

NG chins (various grips)
3x7

Neck harness 55
12,11,10

 

T-bar row stripset
12x3 plates
14x2 plates
14x1 plate

 

Lat pulldowns 130lbs (plates loaded)
3x10
STRIPSET
10x130
5x110
5x90

 

CONDITIONING/BURNOUT 1 minute rests between sets

Power keg carry
200lbs x 144’



175lbs x 144’

150lbs x 144’

 

Notes: Very solid back day.  Still kills me to see the weight be down on those trap bar pulls, but my strength is higher than ever.  I am grinding crazy singles on these, and if I could swallow my ego enough to get it on video I’d probably appreciate it.  I’ve been seeing my chins steadily going down with the daily work included, so I may be outpacing recovery, OR I may be gaining enough weight to make some small impacts.  T-bar rows are getting Branch Warren-esque, but Branch is also awesome, so f**k it.  Threw in the lat pulldowns as a way to get in some extra volume.  No strict rest times: I’d hit sets while cleaning up the gym, and then hit the stripset when everything was put away.  Chuck Vogelpohl likes the lat pulldown, so I should too.  My set-up is pretty ghetto, but should work for my purposes.

 

Actually put some weight in the keg today.  Original plan was to do it like stripsets, but I was pushing until rhabado, so I gave myself some rests instead.

 

Pizza buffet awaits.


Friday, October 2, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2405


Got up at like 0250 this morning.  It really just seems like I only need 6 hours of sleep these days.  Got in some solid daily training


21 KB swings

21 pull ups

15 swings

15 pull ups

9 swings

9 pull ups

5 swings

5 pull ups 


Time: 4:10 (9 second improvement from yesterday)


30 band pull aparts


20 standing ab wheel


Break for breakfast


30 minute 45lb weighted vest walk with dogs (the cooler weather has been good for my older dog: he can walk further, so we pushed it)


30 GHRs



AM WORKOUT (0700ish)


(4) Incline DB bench 105s

1x8

1x7

1x6


Just to give perspective on degree of incline, this is what it looks like these days


https://i.imgur.com/Ld72h06.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/YQqfYyZ.jpg


(2)Close grip incline bench 155

3x10


Axle bench press 210+chains

2x10

1x10+2+2 followed immediately by 8x135 on close grip incline bench


NG chins between sets of benching (various grips)

11x10


Dips (rest pause 12 deep breaths between sets)

56+22+20+20+16+16+14+16+12+10 (202 reps)


Poundstone curls

127xAxle


CONDITIONING


Tabata Boxing rounds on BAS w/16oz gloves


Notes: The incline bench is approaching "overhead press" angles.  Had to put bands on the bench and jack up the seat because I was slipping down on the first set.  Much better anchored for rest of sets.  Amped about FINALLY getting 3x10 on the bench.  Big contributor was going so light on the incline close grip, but any port in a storm.  Sticking with those close grip inclines because I got good recommendations on it from a buddy I trust and I'll be traveling again soon and may as well stick with that movement.  I think it's got some potential.  





Thursday, October 1, 2020

 Training Log: Entry 2404


AM WORKOUT (0410 WAKEUP)


21 KB swings (45lb bell)

21 pull ups

15 swings

15 pull ups

9 swings

9 pull ups

5 swings

5 pull ups


Times: 4:19


30 band pull aparts


20 minute 45lb weighted vest walk with dogs.


Notes: Back home and settling back to old routine.  I like the little conditioning thing I came up with as a pseudo Fran.  Gets in my daily swings and chins and my heart rate up.  Did that first thing, before breakfast, then ate my yogurt (no more Finibars until the next trip sadly) and took the dogs around.


Came home yesterday and we went out to our favorite local Chinese buffet.  Our area has actually lifted buffet restrictions recently and we could serve ourselves.  I went buffet-mode for the first time in a LONG time.  However, I was strategic in my selections.  First plate was half a plate of mushroom, the other half green beans, and then I covered the top in broccoli and carrots from the beef broccoli entree, with just a few slivers of beef making it in.  Second plate was 1/3 mushrooms, 1/3 green beans, 1/3 seafood medley (also heavy in veggies) with more broccoli on top.  Third plate was a single piece of all the various breaded/sugar chicken options and then a lot of onions from the mongolian beef and various peppers. After living out of canned goods for 10 days, having access to so many veggies was just amazing.


Was insanely bloated after that.  Lots of stomach pain.  Hadn't eaten that way in a LONG time.  However, I got to experience something I had read about before: once you get real lean and then go and eat a whole bunch of salty/carby/fatty stuff like that, your body swells up and you look even more defined.  Later that evening, after committing some GI atrocities, I was looking shredded





Once again: being lean is f**king weird.


PM WORKOUT


6 mile run/1 mile walk with Mrs.  This was honestly brutal.  Running after Litvnov is apparently tough.


Earlier, I also got in 20 standing ab wheel reps and 1 set of 30 on GHR.  Also did that gripper burnout workout I've been doing.  My grip is honestly pretty fried from all the pulls and chins I've been doing.


 Training Log: Entry 2403


YESTERDAY'S AM WORKOUT


AM WORKOUT (0301 wake up, beat alarm)


Litvinov-esque workout (all front squats followed by a Rogue Butcher push on rubber floors loaded with 45lbs, distance unknown. 1 min rest between first 3 sets, 90 seconds for all others)


8xBar

8x95

8x135

8x185

8x205

3x8x225

3x8x205

1x8x185

21x135



Chins (various grips)

 

Rest pause to 50


2 min rest 


RP to 25


2 min rest


RP to 25



GHR

20+5+5


GHR sit up

12+4



CONDITIONING


Tabata assault bike


Notes: Already packed laptop: on phone so will be briefish. Final workout of trip, topset of 225 was goal, felt solid enough I made it worksets, and kept going. Referring to that 135 set as my "salt the earth" set, which is a dumb thing to say when my goal is growth, but I still dig it.


I really like sets of 8 for front squat. This may keep up on my return.