Training Log: Entry 2526

PM WORKOUT

Stone of steel over bar (20)
3xStone
3x+50
3x+75
2x+100 (rep PR)
9x+50

Notes: Came into this workout feeling like I was going to puke.  Most likely the result of the approximately 3lbs of bacon I had at breakfast that morning for Father's Day.  The first 2 rounds were basically me hitting the reps and then feeling sorry for myself, but after that it seemed like I had sweat out the grease and was ready to play.  Got smarter about loading the stone, and instead of going 2 25s, then 2 35s and then 2 45s, realized I could just keep slapping 25s in there.  Technique was feeling strong and I'm still learning stuff.  Did a better job of really squatting down to the stone to start the rep, and my lapping felt more natural and secure.

Woke up at 197.2.  Bought a weightgainer while I was out, since I had a good discount on it.  Figured it'd help make morning workouts faster, as I plan to just slam it and go.  Muscletech's "Masstech".  Seemed one of the few massgainers on the market that wasn't just maltodextrin and protein powder.  I really miss the old recipe "Up Your Mass", but it seems that is completely off the market now.

Training Log: Entry 2525

AM WORKOUT

(4) Texas deadlift bar touch and go mat pulls
5x135+chains
5x225+chains
3x315+chains
1x405+chains

DROPSET w/rest pause
7+3+3x505+chains
6+3+3x415+chains

Standing ab wheel
4x8

Car deadlift simulator
8x6plates
7x6plates

DROPSET
6x6plates
5x6plates
4x6plates

Dips
3x32

Notes: Playing around some more.  Someone asked me the other day "Hey, if your dropset/rest pause works so well for squats, why don't you do it for deadlifts?"  And since deads have been pretty bad, I figured why not?  It's another version of awful for sure.  My glute/hip is still in a bad way.  I've taken a week to let it heal on it's own, so now it's time to do some rehab.  I've been through this before, so it should go well.

Car deadlift keeps getting better, so I can't get too upset.  I keep hitting it under worse fatigue and it keeps growing.  Also, I switched back to iron plates on the deadlift and it feels slightly better, so I'm just gonna ride that out.

Woke up at 197.4, but had some real bad GI issues in the morning before training.  Lots of bloating through the night as well.  Have a Father's day breakfast buffet scheduled for tomorrow, so it'll be a good weekend for weight gain.

Training Log: Entry 2524

LATE AM WORKOUT

Front squats
5xBar
3x95
1x135
1x185
1x225

RESTPAUSE (12 deep breaths between reps)
5x275
3x275
2x275
1x275
4x225
3x225
2x225
1x225

Notes: I'm completely running myself into the ground, and I plan to just keep doing it until something breaks.  Wanted to go a little higher on reps today, but that topset of 5 proved to be very substantial.  Knees on both sides feeling pretty mad, but muscles are in a much better state than last time. I figure I'll keep pushing through fatigue and come out stronger on the other side once I allow myself to recover.

Woke up at 194.8.

Training Log: Entry 2523

AM WORKOUT

GIANT SETS

Axle bench press
5xAxle
5x136
5x186
5x256
3x286
5x321
12x256

T-bar rows
20x1plate
20x2plates
20x3plates
3x20x4plates

Band pull aparts
6x20

GIANT SETS

Axle strict press 128
3x10
1x9
1x8

250+lb sandbag bear hug and carry
5 rounds

Lateral raises 25
5x10

Notes: Benching just isn't in a good way.  Contributing factors are fluctuating bodyweight and most likely my daily dip regimen I've employed affecting fatigue and recovery.  That said, contemplating switching from flat bench to a low-moderate incline for the sake of variety.  Apparently that's what all the strongman are doing.  Could also do close grip.  Also could switch to a different programming style within 5/3/1, but as part of contest prep, this is about as many sets of benching as I'm comfortable with.  We'll see how that pans out. 

Otherwise, everything is moving pretty well as far as contest lifts go.  Sandbag is becoming more and more familiar, and today I accidentally set it up for a lower pick than I intended and managed just fine. 

Woke up at 194.2.  Work got a little crazy yesterday, eating schedule affected.  Taking the kid out to McDonalds tonight, and got a coupon for "Buy one Double Quarter pounder get another for free", so I'm planning on enjoying that at least. 

Training Log: Entry 2522

AM WORKOUT

Buffalo Bar Squats 255lbs
10x10


SUPERSET w/

Set 1: Bodyweight dips: 1x32
Set 2: Band pull aparts: 1x20
Set 3: Log cleans 1x230lbs
repeat

Notes: Far more viable approach.  The band pull aparts broke up the intensity of the supersets and allowed better recovery.  After the first log clean, they more became log pulls, because I wasn't able to get it past my belly.  Part of that is not wearing a belt, but the other part is just being too heavy.  Think I've tapped my potential on doing heavy cleans between sets, so next time I'll go a more dynamic focus, drop the weight and focus on speed.

Otherwise, this was less awful than last time and still amazingly brutal.  Jon Andersen is nuts.  Once I get the weight to 275-280, I'll start focusing on reduced rest times, and then reduced sets, ala the program.  Right now rest times are still pretty short, as I basically just check the clock once I'm done and round up 2 minutes from whatever the current minute is, meaning it's at least less than 120 seconds each time. 

Woke up at 194.8. 

Training Log: Entry 2521

AM WORKOUT

SUPERSETS

Log Viper and Press Away
5xLog
5x165
3x190
8x210
1x255 (strict)
11x165

Reverse hyper 230
6x12

Band pull aparts
6x20

SUPERSETS

Log clean and push press away 210
2x5
3x4

Reverse hyper 230
4x12

Hammer curls 45
3x10
2x9

Chins
1x25 w/various grips

Notes: Mixed things up a bit.  Want to get in more reverse hyper volume and thinking about throwing in daily chins or pulldowns to get more back volume in, so swapped the chins out of the superset and doubled down on the reverse hyper. I was still all jacked up today, but the pro of that is that, when I'm hurt, my form tends to get better because I can't muscle my way through the day.  Cleans were slow but smooth, and finally developed some solid technique on them.  Also, that 255 was the easiest rep I've hit this whole training cycle.  Actually had enough gas left to try for a second, but lost it once I got off the chest; couldn't stabilize it.  I think if I had set up to go for a touch and go instead of 2 strict singles I woulda had it. 

Woke up at 196.0.  Keeping on with the eating strategy.

Training Log: Entry 2520

PM WORKOUT

Stone of steel over bar (20)
3xStone
3x+50

Prowler high handle 50'/low handle 50' w/90lbs
4 rounds, no rest

Notes: Feeling beat up, so took today pretty easy.  That prowler workout is still pretty amazing, and may be the cure to my leg DOMS.  However, my left IT band is pissed off again, so we'll see how that plays out.

Woke up at 195.8.  Things are still moving well.