TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Cycle 2, Week 1, Workout 6
10 minute EMOM sandbag sprawl and carry
Notes:
200+lb sandbag, sprawl 4 different directions, pick and carry
This was a repeat of last week, but exhausted me more while also not beating the hell out of my elbows. I think using the grip shirt was the right move.
Carried a 226lb keg yesterday and a 227.5lb keg tonight. Did a timed hold of slightly over a minute with Fat Gripz on my chinning bar. This should have even better carryover to my competition.
Got up at 0615 this morning: kiddo brought me the puppy, because it wasn’t going back to sleep. That was still pretty much sleeping in.
Friday, November 21, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3660
AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Cycle 2, Week 1, Workout 5
MAIN CLUSTER
Buffalo bar squat (flat shoes) 4x8x315
Axle strict press from rack 2x8x148 1x6x148 1x7+3x148
SUPPLEMENTAL CLUSTER
(3) Incline DB bench 2x12x70s 11x70s 10+3x70s
DB row 4x12x125
GHR 4x12x30
ASSISTANCE
GHR sit up 2x10
Chins throughout workout
Notes:
Came into this just completely exhausted. I think a back to back sparring night was more than I anticipated recovery-wise, when stacked with that stupidly heavy mat pull on Wed. Training motivation was shot: one of those where the only thing that got me through was the thought of being able to spend Friday night with my family vs in the gym, so I got it done this morning. However, I also forgot that on Monday I trained in the afternoon, so I was comparing myself against that baseline, and in doing so I actually progressed really well today compared to Monday.
I learned a lesson that was a long time coming from the belt squat: I have less knee pain when I squat with flat soled shoes. Honestly, I’m pretty angry with myself. I learned about squatting with flat soled shoes back in 2005, when I read “Beyond Bodybuliding” and Pavel Tsastouline wrote to “ditch your sneakers on steroids” and squat in Chuck Taylors, and I started doing exactly that and it transformed my squat. The most weight I’ve ever squatted in my life was in a pair of Chucks, where I squatted 502 in a meet and then 525 for 5 with wraps in the gym. And then I got a pair of lifters in 2014 because I thought it would have good carryover into strongman, and though I think Pendlay Dowins are a quality product and I love how my feet feel screwed in to the floor with how grippy they are, it just never had the same comfort that a pair of flats did. When I switched to that mutant high bar style I used for a few years, they really suited it…but that style itself didn’t suit me. I’m flat out not built to squat, with a short torso and long limbs, which means I use the style of squat we see with Steve Goggins, Layne Norton and Mark Felix: lots of forward lean, not a bolt upright torso. Flat shoes suit me. Thankfully, I have lots of them, and today I wore my NoBull high tops.
Exhaustion was hitting hard through the workout, so the presses fell off a little, but I made some great progress on the incline bench, mainly because I forgot what I did last time so I beat an imaginary standard. Cut out a set of abs just for the sake of time.
Double sparring class last night, got in a lot of great rounds. Really trying to work on moving off angle and sending strikes from there. Caught the Valkyrie with an awesome off angle sacrifice spin hook kick. Just happy I can move like that. The stretching is most likely helping out.
Carried a 225lb keg yesterday, and then a 1min 50sec hang.
Weighed 84.1kg this morning.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3659
AM WORKOUT (0350 wake up via alarm, very good night of sleep)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Cycle 2, Week 1, Workout 4
This was the easiest ruck in quite a while. No real specific period of time where I was watching the clock. Found a docu-series to watch without commercial interruption and it went a long way toward distracting me.
Knee doesn’t feel as awesome as it did on Monday, but my bad days are feeling better than my good days felt like before PT, so that’s a plus.
Sparring last night was awesome. Made it to the finals without having to spar the Valkyrie, and beat our senior black belt in the second round. Last 2-3 in the final round against another black belt in a very close match. My mobility is improving with the stretching and reduced knee pain, but I’m noticing my connective tissue feels “loose”, as though it’s slipping in and out at times. We’re doing a double class tonight, so should be a good workout.
Weighed 84.3kg this morning. Been a high sodium week with that kalua pig.
Carried a 223.5lb keg, and got in a 1min 40sec hold immediately afterward. More challenging to hit the grip after the keg carry. Soon I need to dig out my rolling thunder and get to work on that.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3658
AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Cycle 2, Week 1, Workout 3
Reverse hyper/standing ab wheel superset 2x15x360/2x10
Chins between sets
Notes:
Training motivation was high. I genuinely look forward to the day I get to deadlift. That said, it was made clear to me today that I am exiting the realm of training and entering the realm of testing with the weight I am using on the mat pulls. I am proud of myself that I still somehow managed to break the weight off the mats and get reps in, but I keep trading more and more of my soul each week to make it happen, and I am surviving the sets rather than thriving. I have nothing to prove and nowhere to be, so I’m gonig to drop the weight back to 405 to finish out this cycle and try to beat my previous rep PR at that weight, then bring it up to 425 and just repeat and regrow.
Bench weight was perfectly dialed in.
If I wasn’t in a rush for time, I’m certain I wouldn’t struggle on the curls as much as I do. Using a lighter weight on deadlifts might also help there.
Very happy I’ve figured out the belt squats. They went from destructive to therapeutic. I’m going to try barbell squats in my flats next workout. As much as I’d had to admit that I had it right all along back in 2007 and never needed a pair of weightlifters and just needed some Chucks (thanks Pavel), it may truthfully be the next step in mitigating knee pain. Be curious if I can squat deeper that way as well. I was never built for the movement, so maybe I need to break all the rules to make it work.
Weighed in at 84.8 this morning. I’m feeling fluffier. That’s the goal.
I hung from a bar for a little over 1min 45sec yesterday, without much difficulty. Going to try to ease myself back into grip training for a bit, but I think I’ve got a good shot there. I also re-read the rules and the hammer hold is a front hold rather than a side hold, and I thankfully have an oversized loadable hammer I won as a prize in a competition back in 2015 (my return to comp after ACL surgery), so that’s cool.
Tang Soo Do sparring was really awesome last night. I got 3 matches, the final one against the Valkyrie. We went 1 to 1 on points, going into overtime. Typically, I leave some openings for her to chase/strike as a learning opportunity, but last night she scored a legit awesome final point with a spin side kick that had her foot turn in just such a way that she snuck it in between my guard, right into a floating rib. It was like a spearman finding the slats between the plates of armor. I said “oh, that was good”, fully acknowledging the point before the judges scored it, because I was just such a fan of how she sent that. We have another class tonight, and then doubling up tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3657
AM WORKOUT (0515 natural wake up)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Cycle 2, Week 1, Workout 2
“ROW ROW ROW YOUR BLOAT”
20 minute recovery row
Notes:
Knee regressed a little, which is to be expected after a squat workout, but it regresses back to a better point than before. Moving forward.
Sitting on a rower first thing in the morning is a little tight on the hips.
Bodyweight was 85.3 this morning. Seeing some growth.
Tang Soo Do sparring tonight.
Did an official Day 1 of ABF with the Valkyrie last night. She’s really digging the program. Likes kettlebells, taking to it quite naturally. We did 2 rounds 2-3-5-10 and then 5 rounds of the ABC EMOM, along with a general warm-up and refresher on the movements.
Monday, November 17, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3656
PM WORKOUT (1530)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Cycle 2, Week 1, Workout 1
MAIN CLUSTER
Buffalo Bar Squat 4x8x315
Axle strict press from rack 3x8x148 1x6+2x148
SUPPLEMENTAL CLUSTER
(3) Incline DB bench 2x12x70s 9x70 9+4+2x70
DB row 4x12x125
GHR 4x12x30
ASSISTANCE
GHR sit up 3x10
Notes:
Was needed elsewhere this morning, so got this done after work. Moved quickly through the warm up and shaved off the chins to make some time up.
Squats felt solid. I switched to wearing my tacky shirt so the bar would stay in place on my back, which should reduce my forearm pain.
First time in forever I thought about actually squeezing my glutes on the press and it made a huge difference. I honestly think the physical therapy is helping there: I’m developing my glute meds and they seem to want to come out to play some more.
Forgot my shoes for the GHRs/sit ups. Small impact on results.
No weigh in this morning, but carried a 220lb keg yesterday and 221 tonight.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3655
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 3, Workout 6
10 minutes EMOM sandbag sprawl and carry
Notes:
4 sprawls each round, then pick and carry.
Elbows were pretty achy on this, but seem to be doing better now.
Was solid conditioning come the final rounds. Thinking this will pay off for grappling.
Was woken up at 0525: dog wouldn’t go back to sleep. Feeling a little fatigued as a result.
Knee continues to feel better as time goes on.
Carried a 217.5lb keg yesterday.
Friday, November 14, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3654
AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 3, Workout 5 (final lifting workout of cycle)
I’m carrying a bit of “blah” coming into these workouts, which I think it honestly just carrying forward fatigue from the weekend/start of the week getting woken up so much. We got to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual last night, but also spent the evening at my kid’s school music program, which absolutely drained my introvert battery and had me exhausted when I got home. Woke up this morning to the alarm and told myself that this workout was going to be the hardest part of my day, so if I got it done now, it’d be over.
It’s been less than a week since starting physical therapy, and the results have already been very positive. I noticed last night that I had no knee pain while walking my dog, whereas typically that was a major source of it. The boxer is still a puppy yet stupidly strong, so she pulls the entire time we walk, and it’s like running downhill the whole time trying to fight her. Every step would be agonizing, but yesterday it just felt like a normal knee. In turn, this morning’s squat workout still triggered SOME knee pain, but not nearly as much as before. I’m not expecting miracles, but I AM appreciating how quick this gradual healing is.
I moved the bar up higher on my traps to reduce elbow/forearm pain, and since my knee is in a healthier state I was able to get away with that. It’s funny how the pieces all connect.
Camera cut out during the transition to the GHRs.
Got in sets of 7 on chins between sets. Started the cycle with 5s. May just continue to gradually progress, if training timeline allows.
Carried a 216lb keg last night, and weighed in at 83.3kg this morning. I SHOULD be heavier, but signing up for that grappling competition has me on the fence. Thankfully, I’m in no rush to gain: I’m in this for the long haul, but this is also just something I have to be aware of. Competition typically drives me to improve myself, but it also hamstrings me when it comes to pushing my bodyweight up, because I’m always right on the cusp of weight classes.
Yesterday was another 2 cup of coffee day. I’m really enjoying coffee again, which is probably something I need to watch out for, but thankfully there is enough research out there that I can validate that 2 cups is perfectly fine and actually PROMOTES health, so let’s hear it for reality sculpting.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3653
AM WORKOUT (0345 natural wake up)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 3, Workout 4
“GO RUCK YOURSELF”
Treadmill walk w/20.4lb tac carrier
Speed: 3.5mph Incline: 4.5 Distance: 5.25 miles Time: 90 minutes
Notes:
This was even more painless than last week. First 4 miles just flew by. Valkyrie lubed up the treadmill belt last night (apparently it was loud enough that it was waking her up, so it was more for her benefit than mine) and I’m wondering if it helped make the experience less sucky in general. Also imagine my knee being in a better place helped.
Which, on that note, I’m observing gradual improvement. Still pain, but less so. I’ve had a few drives in the truck where I realized my knee didn’t hurt, which it’s one of those things that you don’t notice until you’re ALWAYS in pain. Other times, the pain is there, but it’s less so. The stretching and foam rolling seem to be helping, and I’m trying to be diligent on the strengthening 2-3x a week as well.
Carried a 215lb keg last night. Moved faster than previous few nights, which is interesting on the day I deadlift. Typically it’s one of my harder workouts.
Tang Soo Do last night was a pure conditioning class. Not a stitch of martial arts done. I actually managed some jumping without knee pain: another victory there.
Weighed 82.5kg this morning. Significant drop-off. Given I did 2 24 hour fasts leading up one big meal on Tuesday, I’m sure it’s impacting things. With my grappling tournament coming up on 7 Dec, it’s good to have some flexibility. I may have to compete up a class.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3652
AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 3, Workout …3?
MAIN CLUSTER
Axle bench press 5x3x246
(4) Texas Deadlift Bar Mat Pulls 8+4+3x470
SUPPLEMENTAL CLUSTER
Lever belt squat 5x8x225
Dips/axle curl superset 4x8x80/81
ASSISTANCE
Reverse hyper/standing ab wheel superset 3x15x360/3x10
Chins between sets
Notes:
Situation: Good night of sleep (we’ve finally figured out the puppy: we’re letting it share a crate with the other puppy, and that has pacified it significantly. No more 0200 wake ups) HOWEVER still spent the first part of the night with a stomach quite full of Brazilian BBQ. I was not quite “uncomfortably full”, but still very much “heavy digestion” mode, and, in turn, I’m feeling a little fatigued today. Alongside that, yesterday my hips were really aching when I stood for prolonged periods of time: the kind of pain I used to feel before I started Tactical Barbell. I’m feeling it a bit again post training, and I’m wearing compression shorts to help, but that is one of those signs of the beginning of the end. My elbows are also starting to ache again. The hips, I’m curious if sleeping on the floor for a few nights is the issue, or the sandbag workout, OR all the hip flexor stretching I’m doing as part of my PT. I’ll have to keep an eye on it. The elbows are a combination of low bar squats and sandbag work: I’m always stupid and do BOTH of those things at the same time. Need to get a little smarter.
So all this said, my belt fit exceptionally tight today and I thought my deadlifts were going to be pretty awesome, but holy f*ck did they take a lot out of me. You can see the exhaustion and pain in the video. Once again: working miracles in that garage every single time I break it off the mats. I’m thinking next cycle will be time to reset the weight and try to beat some previous PRs. But I still got it done somehow someway. I do wonder if it would have been better without the aching hips. I still contemplate using my Spud break-in briefs, because they’re honestly pretty awesome. Biggest issue is the bar catches on them, which is why I wear the sweat pants to bypass my Cerberus shorts.
Felt the elbows in the curls and the ab wheel, but the dips felt awesome, and I’m pleased with how I’m progressing on that.
Carried a 213.5lb keg yesterday. Weighed 84.4kg this morning. I’m fasting through breakfast. Not out of martyrdom, not to punish myself for overeating at dinner yesterday: because I’m flat out not hungry. I’m still burping Brazilian BBQ, and it tastes more of blood than of meat due to what I imagine is an incredibly heavy iron content. I genuinely don’t want to think about food, and making my kid’s breakfast this morning made me slightly nauseous. Which I’d say, all-in-all, means I’m doing this whole “eat to gain” thing right. I’ve really been digging all the experiments with eating schedules, and, in truth, were it not for the family time aspect of it, I’d skip either breakfast or dinner and just do 1 meal a day. The trick is: you have to be capable of really putting it away at that one meal to pull it off. Which, as the Valkyrie remarked last night “I genuinely don’t know where you put that much food”
We have Tang Soo Do tonight. It’s our 1 class of the week, due to schedule nuttiness. It’s Wildcard cardio night, so should get some manner of activity.
Got the results of my X-ray back. Minor signs of arthritis in the knee, but nothing warranting PRP. I SHOULD be happy that I’m not as broken as I thought, but I liked the idea of some extra treatment. Next step would be to get an MRI to confirm a torn meniscus, but that’ll take some doing. In the interim, the PT is giving me relief. I’ll look into the celebrex I was prescribed, or the tumeric I was recommended, but I’d prefer neither.
The numbering of the workouts is off for this week, as I’m not really sure what to consider yesterday to be.
Rough night of sleep. Kiddo got me up at 0330 because the puppy was being a pain. Laid down next to it’s kennel for about an hour, took it outside, came back in, got ready to lift, then dropped it off with the Valkyrie because her alarm had gone off so I could train. You can see in the video the fatigue is hitting me, but I was still able to put in an effort.
The little bit of physical therapy I’ve been doing has been paying off. Experiencing less day to day pain, and it was easier to hit depth in squats.
Forearms are giving me the telltale sign that they don’t care for these buffalo bar squats and sandbag workouts. It’s why I keep swapping squat movements. I should be able to make one more training phase and then onto the SSB.
No chins between sets today. Was trying to keep the timeline tight, since I had a later start.
Weighed 83.5kg this morning. Slightly different circumstances than usual for the weigh in with the different schedule, but close enough.
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3650
AM WORKOUT (1000)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MASS Week 2, Workout 6
EMOM sprawl and sandbag carry
Notes:
200+ lb bag, carried sideways vs bearhug this time. I’m a bit better at that pick up, which made it move faster and get me some more reps. Still meeting intent here: feel like this will have decent carryover to grappling.
Carried a 216lb keg this evening.
I’m digging this long weekend’s theme of finding out just how many ribs I can eat. Yesterday was the full rack of pork spare ribs, today was lamb back ribs, tomorrow will be beef short ribs AND pork baby back ribs, and then tomorrow at the Brazilian steakhouse will be plate ribs (but, sadly, sliced off the rib). Shame Vince Gironda isn’t around: I’m sure he’d dig this theme.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3649
AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm, rough night of sleep)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 2, Workout 5
MAIN CLUSTER
Buffalo Bar Squats 4x6x320
Axle strict press from rack 4x6x158
SUPPLEMENTAL CLUSTER
(3) Incline DB bench 4x10x70s
DB row 4x10x125
GHRs 4x10x30
ASSISTANCE
GHR sit ups 3x10
Chins throughout workout
Notes:
Kiddo got me up at 0250 because the puppy woke up and wouldn’t go back to sleep. Laid next to the crate for 10 minutes, then inch wormed out the room and got back to bed around 0315. Alarm went off and I thought about every possible way I could skip this workout and none of the COAs worked, so I got up and trained. In turn, motivation was stupid low, and you can see in the video that I was hurting.
Aside from the evening, last night at Tang Soo Do just took it out of me. We focused heavily on breakfalls, so it was a lot of getting on the floor and getting up from the floor. The latter is the real workout, which Dan John has pointed out among other authors. I actually saw a really decent looking prison workout the other day that was almost like a bodyweight turkish get-up that emphasized this point. An hour of doing that just had me floored. I also think I need to eat more, which is what these next 4 days will be about with our feasting.
First set of squats had too wide of a stance. I’ll need to be aware of that.
Carried a 212.5lb keg yesterday and weighed 83.5kg this morning.
First physical therapy appointment will be later this morning. I’ll see if I get anything out of it.
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3648
AM WORKOUT (0350 wake up via alarm)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 2, Workout 4
“GO RUCK YOURSELF”
Treadmill walk w/20.4lb tac carrier
Speed: 3.5mph Incline: 4.5 Distance: 5.25 miles Time: 90 minutes
Notes:
Felt good again. Time passed pretty quickly, minus a few parts that felt like it sucked. Still keeping it reasonable and more in the realm of recovery vs an actual workout.
Keg carry 211lbs yesterday. Weighed in at 82.8kg this morning. Been a lot of lean dinners this week. Pork tenderloin, chicken meatballs, and last night was venison ring bologna. But this extended weekend is going to have a LOT of feasting.
Tang Soo Do was pretty low energy last night. One more class tonight.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3647
AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 2, Workout 3
MAIN CLUSTER
Axle bench press 5x6x231
(5) Texas Deadlift Bar Mat Pulls 10+5+4x470
SUPPLEMENTAL CLUSTER
Lever belt squat 5x10x205
Dips/axle curls superset 4x10x65/76
ASSISTANCE
Reverse hyper/standing ab wheel superset 2x15x360/2x10
Chins between sets
Notes:
Last night, I had a subluxation in my right knee, the very knee my doctor yesterday remarked was “incredibly healthy for a 40 year old knee with no sign of damage) when locking out a kick in Tang Soo Do. It swole up a little and felt a little junky this morning, but as training went on it seemed fine. During the mat pulls, the weight felt a little heavier on the knee than usual, but zero issues during the belt squats. Honestly, switching to flat soled shoes has been a gamemchanger there, and I’m an idiot for not trying that sooner.
Bench is perfectly dialed in weight wise. Rested 2 minutes between sets of that, then 1 minute on the squats. For the superset, I rested a minute after the superset was done, but had shorter rests between the dips and curls, just for the sake of time. I was moving slow today.
Once again, I have no idea how I managed those mat pulls. It really is like a miracle every time it breaks off the mats, and then somehow I find 9 more reps, and then the next two pulls are easier than the first one. I have no idea if I’m on borrowed time on this, but I’m just going to keep riding it out as much as I can. When the wheels fall off, I’ll reset the weight and go for some rep PRs.
Carried a 210lb keg yesterday, weighed in at 83.9kg. Funny to see the weight drop after eating 20 meatballs for dinner.
Someone signed up in the weight class above me and 2 master’s categories below me for the grappling tournament, making him a young whippersnapper at the age of 31. However, I’m excited to have someone a little closer to my age, and this will mean I really don’t need to sweat making weight, so if no one shows up for my own category, there’s at least a chance I have someone to play with in Dec. It happens to be the same day as our Tang Soo Do holiday party, so it behooves me to move quickly.
On that note: Tang Soo Do tonight as well. I’ll try to keep my knee in one place, although I truthfully wanted to experience a full dislocation just so I could have limped back to that doctor and been like “Hey, how about a second opinion now?”
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3646
AM WORKOUT (0520 wake up via Valkyrie’s alarm, rough night of sleep)
TACTICAL BARBELL GREY MAN Week 2, Workout 2
“ROW ROW ROW YOUR BLOAT”
20minute recovery row
Notes:
Kiddo got me up at about 0330, informing me that the puppy wouldn’t go back to sleep. Laid down next to it’s kennel for about an hour, then inch wormed my way out of the room to go sleep off the rest of the night in my own bed. It was honestly a pretty good ab workout, as I’m in no way being hyperbolic about inch worming: if, at any point, my upper torso was not connected to the floor, the dog would wake up and cry. So I had to move only my lower torso to drag me slowly across the floor to create the illusion I was still sleeping next to the dog. Remember when Conan had to do the same thing to escape from the slumbering wolves? Yeah, me neither.
Semi-related news, but I’ve rediscovered a love for coffee I didn’t know I had. The cold weather brings it out of me. I’m limiting myself to 1 cup a day, in the morning, a few hours after breakfast. I have a tendency to easily become addicted to things.
I tried to make this workout slightly more intense than usual while still keeping it low intensity. Basically focusing on a smooth transition between phases of the row, rather than anything herky jerky.
Had my annual physical today, and it was a let down. Wanted to get some imaging on my right knee, but the doc just did a hands on exam, remarked at the incredible shape my knee was in for a 40 year old, and then offered some Vitamin M (iykyk) as a solution. Told him I flat out was NOT going to get on a daily anti-inflammatory protocol, especially after hearing about Nick Best losing his kidney doing that, and when I informed him that alleve makes my bowels bleed, he was at least willing to entertain a physical therapy solution, so I have that in my future.
Keg carry was 208.5 yesterday. Weighed in at 84.7kg this morning. Tang Soo Do on the schedule tonight.
Monday, November 3, 2025
Training Log: Entry 3645
AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)
TACTICAL BARBELL MASS PROTOCOL Week 2, Workout 1
MAIN CLUSTER
Buffalo bar squat 4x6x330
Axle strict press from rack 4x6x158
SUPPLEMENTAL CLUSTER
(3) Incline DB bench 4x10x70s
DB row 4x10x125
GHR 4x10x30
ASSISTANCE
GHR sit up 3x10
Notes:
Seemed to be running slow this morning: didn’t have time at the end of the workout for any additional assistance.
Squats felt great. Very strong and smooth. Knee is in a good way. Bar placement was right. Got cold enough to wear a shirt, which meant the bar wasn’t quite as grippy.
The lower rep sets bode well for pressing. Zero issues completing sets. Rested 2 minutes on the main, 90 seconds on the incline, 1 minute everywhere else.
Keg carry yesterday was 207.5. I’m moving fast again with the lighter weight, and actually ended up tripping over my feet and tossing the keg to the ground on the return trip. Picked it back up and carried through.
Called my weight pretty well this morning. Thought I’d be 84kg, was 84.1. Also, my resting heart rate jumped 5 points yesterday, from 39 to 44. Once again, this correlated with the day after I’ve had a large meal (the Brazilian steakhouse), which I feel points to a notion of NEAT increasing in the presence of increased food intake. I’ll get to repeat the experiment, as we booked another reservation on 11 Nov. It’s a great time to be gaining.
On that note, family meal last night of spaghetti with piedmontese meat sauce, some sourdough fried in ghee, and a dessert bar of some leftover birthday pumpkin cheesecake, a banana bread minimuffin topped with some raw honey, and 2 of the Valkyrie’s peanutbutter Halloween cookies. She took some of the leftover chocolate candies we had, cut them up and threw them in the mix. Wonderfully delicious.
