COMPETITION WRITE UP

2026 TRIALS OF HERACLES MEN’S MASTERS OPEN WRITE UP

Summary: Came in 2nd place, which was also last place. But it came down to 5 seconds in the final event, as up until then we were tied with 2 first plans wins. The dude I was against also weighed twice as much as me, so that’s something.

Biggest wins were not getting injured, not blacking out, and having the best showing in my press in a LONG time, going the full minute and not missing a single rep to get 9 in the round. I didn’t zero a single event, which is the first in quite a few recent competitions. In general, feeling like my old self again.

Events were:

Event 1: Frame deadlift

Went 455, 505, 555. Winner won with 605.

• I took 1 warm up with the empty frame, then one with 315 and felt dizzy on the second one. Every single one of these pulls felt heavy, but not insurmountable. I’d dig deep, break it off the floor, and feel it come to lockout. Everyone said they were impressed, probably because I made it look so hard. Felt strong, and I may have had a 600lb pull in me today. We both took 505 for a second, and I took my third at 555, not knowing what his intent was, but judging by the size of him, I wasn’t shocked.

Event 2: 185lb axle clean once and press away

I got 9 reps to beat the other guy’s 4.

• I went first, having no idea what the number would be to beat, so I just sent it. The continental was the strongest I’ve had in a long time, with no real wasted energy. I got myself set and felt pretty solid with each rep. In an ideal world, I would have cycled the bar each rep, but instead I settled in and got myself strong. On the latter reps, I had some good back bend, but I never missed a rep. I didn’t get near as much leg drive as I could have, but my knees felt happy with this.

Event 3: Carry medley (225lb sandbag, an engine block and 150lb iron cross)

Got it done in 55 seconds, to the winner’s 33.

• When I signed up for the comp, the sandbag was 150lbs. At some point, it got changed to 225lbs. I still trained with a 150lb bag the entire training cycle, and since this is a speed event rather than a conditioning one, I made peace that I wasn’t going to win it, and just wanted to get a completion. I have NOT been able to load ANYTHING for my previous few competitions, and getting the sandbag to the platform and having it miss the first time, I felt pretty pissed. I lapped it and got a REAL solid triple extension on it, found a spot on it and approached the engine block. I didn’t bother to practice on it during the warm-ups to figure out the handholds on it, so it was just raw when I got to it. It was less heavy and more awkward, but I got it carried, lapped and loaded. The Iron Cross was the end, and it wobbled my knees a little, but was otherwise just solid.

• Bit of comedy: they said we could request the implements to be set up any way we liked. I said “Yeah, can you turn the handles on the iron cross, get the engine block sideways, and then can you move the sandbag closer to the start?” They were like “Well no, we can’t move the sandbag because…hey waitaminute, you’ve done this before haven’t you!” Always one with a joke

Event 4: 35lb hammer hold

Held for 1:07, to the other guy’s 38 seconds.

• I’ve never lost this event in a competition, and that continued today. It’s just pain tolerance. I was shaking like a leaf, short breaths, tense guts. Pleased to have some thoroughly dominated it.

Event 5: Heracles hold (155lb per hand)

Held on for 1:44, to the other guy’s 1:49

• This was the sold reason I signed up for this event. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do this. We had 2” thick revolving handles on this, but all my timed holds on Fat Gripz paid off, because I felt REALLY solid on this. Biggest issue was simply not knowing what time I had to beat, as I went first. I do wonder if I could have held on even longer if I had a time to beat. But I felt strong and solid.

First competition in a LONG time where I walked away without regrets. I’m feeling my old self again.

 Training Log: Entry 3721

BRIDGE WEEK

PM WORKOUT (1400)

15 rounds of Armor Building Complexes, EMOM, with 10kg bells

4 mile easy run

Notes:

• It’s the start of the bridge week, and also a holiday, so I slept in, had another weekend style breakfast, and joined in with the family on the ABF. Used the Valkyrie’s bells during her downtime on the EMOMs. It actually felt tonic on my hurt shin/knee, which was nice. Immediately afterwards, joined the better half for a run. Kept it leisurely: definitely passed the talk test. Was a good test of my new shoes and how my knees would hold up. Things seem promising.

• Family meal tonight was spaghetti with piedmontese meat sauce, some buttered sourdough toasted in ghee, and then 2 of the Valkyrie’s cookies and a homemade banana bread muffin, all with some local raw honey.

• I am in a real good mental state, because I’m just one day into the bridge and already excited to get back to training. I REALLY want to get to building again, but I’m thinking that 3 more weeks of Operator pro makes the most sense. It means gaining all the way up to my cruise in May, which I can then continue feasting there and then kick into the summer on another bout of Operator to lean out. I’m thinking, with that one, if I don’t have a competition on the horizon, I’m going to do something I’ve been promising myself for a while and make it a Crossfit/WOD based run of Operator.

• Getting in the daily holds still. Curious how it will pay off for the Heracles hold.

 Training Log: Entry 3720

AM WORKOUT (0900)

TACTIACL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 6, Workout 6 (final workout)

“AXLE GRACE”

136lb axle, floor to overhead 30 times

Notes:

• This is a 3 second PR for the training cycle. Feeling lighter, leaner and lethal (Thanks Donnie!), and setting the mats a little further ahead meant I stopped running into the garage door motor.

• Press returned quick from the top and the cleans were explosive for the most part. Caught a few on the chest vs the rack, but I’m pleased and feel ready for my comp.

• This is the final workout of the training cycle. Bridge week next week, and then I’m deciding between 3 weeks of Operator Pro or going straight into mass protocol. I have 13.5 weeks until my next cruise, so it’s basically 3 weeks of Op Pro, 6 weeks Grey Man , 3 weeks Specificity, or lead with Grey man and finish with Op Pro. Somewhere in April will be a 10 mile race, so that’s something. I am excited at the prospect of growing and eating again, but I also know I already have the momentum going with Red Meat and Black Coffee and might just chase it to it’s logical end.

 Training Log: Entry 3719

AM WORKOUT (0510 wake up via Valkyrie’s alarm)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 6, Workout 4 part 1

Sandbag medley

3 rounds w/150lb bag

PM WORKOUT (1240)

PART II

SSB front squats
4x2x290

ALTERNATE W/

Axle strict press from rack
3x2x203
1x203

Chins w/1min rest
18,10,8,8,8

Notes:

• Today was a weird day schedule-wise. Since I knew I had a half day, I slept in and got the carries done, because they’re a quick workout. I got home and got the majority of the rest of the workout done while waiting for the treadmill repair guy to show up. He came in right before my final set of presses, so I finished that out after they left. Since I wasn’t warmed up any more, I about blacked out on the first rep, so I called it at that point. Honestly pretty pleased I can press 203 for a strict single cold.

• My right shin still hurts from last week, but those front squat reps were deep. I actually chuckled at “All Time Low” was playing during the set.

• Shaved off the chins between sets to make the workout move faster, so tried to make some up at the end. Also opened up with a set of 18.

• My lower back was STIFF going for the bag this morning (video is out of sequence btw, just for the sake of convention). My schedule is a little nutty, so hitting this workout after a deadlift PR was unique.

• Weighed in at 83.7kg this morning. When I first stepped on the scale, it said 80.9, which was unexpected and led me to step back on and get 83.7 more consistently. Something to track. But bodyweight continues to trend downward, per the goal.

• Tang Soo Do was not very intense last night. We’ll see how tonight goes.

 Training Log: Entry 3718

AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 6, Workout 3

MAIN WORK

Deadlift
14x425

Unscripted moonwalk

ASSISTANCE WORK

Circuit of standing ab wheel/reverse hyper/band pull apart
3x10/3x15x360/3x33

Axle curls
53 unbroken

Band push downs
60

5 minutes cooldown pacing

Notes:

• 10 reps was my previous PR with that weight on deads. Came in wanting 15, but being at peace with 12. 14 was a nice compromise. The second rep was a bit too controlled, and I think if I blew that one out of the water it may have had a downstream impact for one more rep, but I am over the moon with how this went. Primarily because I’m not hurt coming out the end of it, and I definitely gave it an effort. It’s been a few years since I hit the etch-e-sketch and started back from ground zero, and I’m feeling like a much healthier version of my old self these days. Still got some hope to grow.

• All that said, I was strategic with this workout, knowing it was going to take a peace of my soul with it, so I made this week a Fighter vs Operator week, with plans to only squat and press twice and have this day be only a deadlift day. I allotted myself to do whatever assistance work I wanted to do afterwards, and it wasn’t much. I was blown away and just getting in a small pump.

• Weighed in at 83.8kg, exact match of last week’s Wed weigh in. Got in a timed hold of some amount yesterday.

• I was naughty in Tang Soo Do. We did a drill at the start where one person was in the middle and 4 attackers stood at all cardinal directions, each assigned a random number. The attacker would engage the person in the middle with any sort of attack, and it was up to the defender to defend. Since most folks there have only trained in Tang Soo Do, those were the attacks they used. I chose wrestling and, predictably, few people had a defense against it. I took down both of our black belts with a combination of thai clinches and single legs, and sprawled/gator rolled the bigger one. And when I was in the middle, after having experienced that, few people wanted to actually get close enough to engage me. At one point, both black belts were teamed up against me, and I managed to take one to the ground while warding off the other. I also ended up in a situation where I was teamed up against by a black belt and a smaller female partner, and I totally spun her around and grabbed her by the shoulders to use as a human shield against the other. 

• We’ll have another class tonight. My knees are a little sore from grappling on a non-grappling mat, but nothing insurmountable.

 Training Log: Entry 3717

AM WORKOUT (0510 wake up via Valkyrie’s alarm)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 6, Workout 2

“SPEED/ENDURANCE LADDERS” w/rower (easy)

400m row
40 sec rest
300m row
30 sec rest
200m
20 sec
100
10
100
10
200
20
300
30
400

Notes:

• Monday is my favorite night of the week, because I get to sleep in and wake up next to my Valkryie. However, I am finding it harder and harder to find the motivation to to this workout as a result, which is funny given how short it is. In truth, I feel like it’s the lukewarmness of it. It doesn’t blow me out of the water, so I wonder “why bother”, which is, of course, a juvenile mentality, but I like to say that I’m not 40 years old: I’m 19 with 21 years of experience.

• Having said that, this was the best output I’ve had on this particular workout, and I noticed last week that I was moving explosively there too, so things are improving and I’m becoming more of an athlete again. I’m doing the easy variant, since this is the hard week of training, but in turn I was able to put a lot of myself into the workout. My hips also felt alright going on the rower first thing in the morning.

• Weighed 84.7kg this morning, still showing very slight progression in bodyweight loss. Part of me wonders if I’m set up for a “whoosh” at this point. Also got in a timed hold last night, and was able to get 10k steps by pacing while flossing right before bed. None of the steps I get at work ever register, since I don’t wear my watch there, so this becomes an even bigger victory.

• Tang Soo Do tonight. It’s one-step week, so not the most intense of exercise.

• Whole family finished up this week’s rotation of ABF last night getting in 60 presses total. Cool to see the growth happening.

 Training Log: Entry 3716

AM WORKOUT (0359 wake up via dog)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 6, Workout 1

MAIN WORK

SSB front squats
4x2x295

ALTERNATE w/

Axle strict press from rack
4x2x203+1 push press on last 3 sets

Chins between sets

CONDITIONING

3 rounds of 150lb sandbag medley

ASSISTANCE

GHR sit ups
3x10

5 minutes cooldown pacing

Notes:

• Was contemplating sleeping in a little, since this workout runs shorter with the reduced reps and sets, but my pup climbed on my face at 0359 and that convinced me to get up. Felt a little weak in the warm-ups, but once I got under for the top sets I was feeling sharp.

• This was just a solid effort all around. Pleased with the weights being moved. Glad I could bring back some push presses: had enough juice for them.

• Got in sets of 8 on chins during the workout and opened with 18 and sets of 5 in the warm-up.

• The medley has me more and more exhausted, as I approach it with more and more fatigue. Now that the weights have moved up so much in the competition, I’m less concerned with my performance on it, as I imagine it’s just going to be a slog. But I still like picking stuff up and moving with it.

• Got in a 1:13 hold yesterday.

• Weighed in at 84.8kg this morning. This is, technically, my lightest Monday weight in since starting Red Meat and Black Coffee. Doing it after some Superbowl debauchery is pretty cool.

 Training Log: Entry 3715

AM WORKOUT (0900)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 5, Workout 6

“AXLE GRACE”

Notes:

• Time was 4:02. This is a regression. Had some factors working against me, biggest being that I kept hitting the garage door motor at the top of the rep. Felt strong, knee is doing ok despite the swelling.

• Got in a 3 mile walk with the 20.4lb vest as well. And a timed hold yesterday of 1:18.

 Training Log: Entry 3714

AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 5, Workout 5

MAIN WORK

SSB Front Squat
5x5x265

ALTERNATE w/

Axle strict press from rack
4x5x183
4x183

Chins between sets

CONDITIONING

3 rounds of 150lb sandbag carry medley (3 lengths first 2 rounds, 2 lengths final round)

ASSISTANCE

Lateral raise dropset
35x10, 35x5, 35x2.5, 35xEmpty hands

Band pull aparts
35

Notes:

• Yet again: it being Friday motivated me to get up, but also having missed Tang Soo Do last night meant I was better rested. And performance was solid.

• I opened up my warm-ups with a set of 20 chin ups, and that’s the first time in a LONG while that I’ve been able to knock that out, let along so casually. I made it my goal to get back to this point about 1.5 years ago: been a long slow climb. Stuck with sets of 5s during the warm-ups, and 8s and 7s during the worksets.

• My right knee experienced significant swelling yesterday, to the point that when I got on my knee to do PT, I thought I was wearing my knee sleeves because my knee felt “padded”. I took 2 motrin before bed and woke up with reduced swelling, but still there. Not sure the cause. It had a small impact on squats, but nothing too significant: still smooth and strong.

• Presses were a victory. Best showing all week. And with my lighter weigh ins, this is now bodyweight for sets of 5.

• Got in a bit more carries than on Monday. Just a better showing all around.

• 1:26 hold last night.

• Weighed in at 81.0kg this morning. That was quite unexpected, especially given the pork ribs last night, as pork tends to be a bit inflammatory for me, and when you eat out you always take in way more sodium than you could ever get at home, and I know that these are going to have some degree of sugar in them. I weighed 89.1kg on 6 Jan, and now it’s 6 Feb and I’m 81.0. However, I realized I took the motrin last night, and it’s an anti-inflammatory, so there may be some manner of watery shennigans afoot.

 Training Log: Entry 3713

AM WORKOUT (0355 wake up via alarm)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 5, Workout 4

“RUCKED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION”

Notes:

• Just gonna narrate this. Short story is the treadmill broke after 3.57 miles, at a pace of 3.5mph, incline 4.5, wearing a 45lb vest. The back right bolt dislodged and is currently MIA, so there’s no tension in the belt. It’s still under warranty, so I’m going to call that in and hope for the best. It’s the Valkyrie’s treadmill, so I feel sheepish that I broke it. Got in a decent ruck still, but not as far as I like to on this training day.

• Weighed 82.5kg this morning post ruck, which I’m not able to get a consistent compare to last week due to the deviance here. But still weighing light. I could technically make the 181s at this rate.

• No timed hold last night due to schedule, but the 90 minute TSD class went well.

• I’m not sure where else to post this, but it’s fascinating watching the “rats on a sinking ship” effect with Peter Attia and David Protein, among other online entities.

 Training Log: Entry 3712

AM WORKOUT (0359 natural wake up)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 5, Workout 3

MAIN WORK

SSB Front Squat
3x5x260

ALTERNATE w/

Axle strict press from rack
2x5x183
4x183

(2) Texas Deadlift Bar Mat Pulls
16x425

ASSISTANCE

Reverse hyper/standing ab wheel/band pull apart circuit
3x15x360/3x10/3x33

Axle curls
66 unbroken

Band pushdowns
66

Notes:

• I continue to legitimately look forward to this training day, primarily because of how low volume it is. It’s like my reward for Monday and Friday. Only having to do 3 sets of the squats and press and 1 big deadlift set is so much more tolerable.

• I came in feeling weak, yet performed very strong. Squats were buttery smooth, and the presses were stronger than Monday, despite biffing on the final set. That was more a technique issue, as the first 2 sets I was able to get through without pause. In general, felt light headed and low energy, but each time I stepped up, I performed well.

• Trend continued with the deadlifts. Had to talk myself through it, but once the bar started moving I found my groove. Shaved off a rep from last week, but this is still an awesome performance. In general, I’m feeling strong again, as 16 reps of 425 doesn’t feel so far away from my effort of 495 for 15 that I pulled YEARS ago at a much higher bodyweight. I’m finding a decent balance between size, strength, and sustainability. And I managed to not blow out my hip again.

• You can see how fried I am after the deadlift set, so some light assistance work to closeout was perfect.

• Weighed in at 83.8 this morning. Down half a kilo from last week, and yesterday’s weigh in was also a half kilo down from last week’s Tuesday weigh in, so the trend is consistent. Gradual, sustainable, and no suffering: I dig this. Also got a 1:18 hold.

• Tang Soo Do was moderate activity last night, but once again my head instructor commented on how my movement is “night and day” different compared to just a few months ago. He’s really excited for how my physical therapy has transferred to improved performance. I’m excited that he’s excited. We have the long class tonight, and then we’re taking a break on Thursday.

 Training Log: Entry 3711

AM WORKOUT (0509 wake up via dog)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 5, Workout 2

“MEAT EATER II”

10 rounds of 10 swings (24kg bell) and 10 burpees w/1min rest between rounds

Notes:

• Really just wasn’t in the mood for the rower this morning. I think the rower is a great conditioning tool, but I don’t like waking up and then going straight to sitting. Doesn’t feel great on my hips. Meanwhile, this actually felt very restorative.

• Swings always FEEL good and then I watch myself on video and I look like Frankenstein’s monster.

• Now that my knee pain has resolved, I observed that I am MUCH more explosive in the burpee. Specifically the transition from standing to the floor. Instead of setting my hands down and popping my legs into a push up position, I was effectively sprawling to the floor and catching myself. Was cool to be able to bring that intensity back.

• Weighed in at 84.5kg this morning, seeing a continued slight downward trend. Got in a 1:10 hold yesterday. Tang Soo Do on the schedule for tonight.

• Coffee fasting day, and it’s funny how I look forward to both mornings. When I lift, I’m excited about the breakfast that awaits me, whereas on these days I’m excited about how fast/easy of a morning I have where I just have to make a cup of coffee for myself and have much fewer dishes to take care of. “High speed/low drag”. Alternating between the two is good on my sanity, as I always have something to look forward to, vs getting stuck in a rut.

• My kiddo took wonderfully to the ABF yesterday. 10lb KBs were the right call. It’s amazing the things you take for granted physically: I had to teach them how to sit their hips back in a squat because they were just pure knees. It’s also funny how, as soon as you put a KB in their hands in the goblet position, a LOT of problems get solved. I remember working out with my dad when I was a fat little boy trying to lose enough weight to be able to play Pop Warner football (spoilers: it didn’t work), and those are still some cool imprinted memories. Hoping we’re laying down a good foundation.

 Training Log: Entry 3710

AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)

TACTICAL BARBELL OPERATOR Week 5, Workout 1

MAIN WORK

SSB Front Squat
5x5x265

ALTERNATE w/

Axle strict press from rack
3x5x183
4x183

Chins between sets

CONDITIONING

3 rounds of 150lb sandbag medley (2 trips each round)

ASSISTANCE

GHR sit ups
3x10

Notes:

• My training motivation continues to decline. I observe this trend in my “non-building” blocks of training. Jamie Lewis discussed this as the advantage of bulking: you’re motivated to train because you want to put all that food to use. I had a pseudo version of that, since our family meal was last night and I had enough motivation to put all of that to some use. But the weekend wasn’t quite as restful as I anticipated, as the puppy was a bit of a handful.

• I was curious how this workout was going to go when I looked at the weights listed. I was honestly quite pleased with the press, despite not completing 5x5. 3x5 is still within specs. I misgrooved a few reps, which resulted in an energy leak. I cut out the push presses to allow for enough recovery between sets to perform. Ultimately, this is just a great showing for me as far as recent performances go, and I’m strict pressing the comp weight for sets of 5.

• Squats weren’t quite as smooth as last week, but still better than usual. Some reps were 2 parters and some were clean throughout.

• The front squats clearly had a fatigue impact on me when it came time for the medley, and rather than groove slow reps, I just cut the rounds short. Still tried to focus on a good strong pick.

• Weighed 85.3. I actually called that before I stepped on the scale, down to the decimal. I’m gaining some good body awareness. This is a slight uptick from last week, but the post carb weigh ins are a wildcard.

• Got in a 1:15 hold last night. Did a good job getting in steps for the weekend as well.