Training Log: Entry 2533

AM WORKOUT

GIANT SETS

Log viper and press away
5xLog
3x160
3x180
10x205
1x265 (strict)
12x160

Reverse hyper 230lbs
7x16

Band pull aparts
7x20

GIANT SETS

Log clean and push press 225
1x3
1x4
2x3

Reverse hyper 230
4x16

Hammer curls 40
4x12


Notes: This actually happened on Monday, but haven't had computer access.  That 265lb press was far smoother than last week.  I'm a little ashamed of the apprehension I felt approaching the log for that set.  After what I grind it was last week, and with this week being heavier percentages, I was telling myself "It's ok if you don't hit the press: just practicing the clean is enough".  Despite that defeatist attitude, I had a solid clean and then the press moved much faster. 

Mentality also plays a huge role on the clean and push press.  I have to "think explosive" before I touch the log, or else it's a slog.  That's how I managed that set of 4 in the middle.  Need to remember that. 

It dawned on me just how much I'm absolutely hammering my back with all the log cleans, on top of the sandbag pick ups, front squats, stones, deads and car deadlifts.  I seem to be adapting, but when the calories drop, I know a lot of places where I can reduce stress.

Woke up at 198.8.

Training Log: Entry 2532

PM WORKOUT

Stone of steel over bar (20)
3xStone
3x+50
3x+75
1x+100 (3 laps, 1 over bar)
0x+125 (lapped, slipped on the load)
3x+75

Prowler high handles 90lbs
3 rounds of 50' forward, 50' back

Notes: Stones felt great today, but hands kept sweating and slipping.  Coulda solved it with the tacky towel, but want to stay away from it as long as I can.  Forces my technique to get better.  Lapping the stone was strong, but I also pulled the holy hell out of my abs on the 100lb set.  Interesting sensation to say the least. 

Been raining the past few days and changed the drag coefficient on the street.  Pushing the low handles resulted in a cartoonish moment of pushing as hard as I could and only my feet moving.  Salvaged as much as I could.

Woke up at 199.4.  Mega bloat going on.

Training Log: Entry 2531

AM WORKOUT

(3) Texas Deadlift Bar touch and go deadlifts
5x135+chains
5x225+chains
3x315+chains
1x405+chains

DROPSET
9+3+3x505+chains
8+3x405+chains

Standing ab wheel
4x8

SUPERSET

Car deadlift simulator
9x6plates
8x6 plates

DROPSET
7x6plates
7x5plates
7x4plates

Dips
3x34

Notes: Seeing some growth again.  Couple factors.  Right hip no longer buggy, and I imagine I'm adjusting to all the craziness I'm throwing at my body.  Theorized I'd either adapt or die: glad I picked the former.  Felt some warning signs during the initial dropset though, so capped it at 1.  Car deads moved smooth.  In general, positive training day.

Woke up at 197.4. Different cheat meal: went to Taco Bell and got the $5 nacho box with a cheesy gordita crunch, and then a miniblizzard at Dairy Queen.  Haven't had ice cream in a LONG time: eye lit right up.

Training Log: Entry 2530

LATE AM WORKOUT

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

RESTPAUSE (12 deep breaths between sets)
6x275
3x275
2x275
1x275
5x225
4x225
3x225
2x225
1x225

Notes: Had a helluva time keeping the bar in the rack position.  Slid down my arms at the end of every set, but still got through and felt pretty strong all things considered. 

Woke up at 197.0.  Still very pleased with rate of weight growth, and by all accounts I'm getting less fat than usual. 

Training Log: Entry 2529

AM WORKOUT

GIANT SETS

Axle bench press
5xAxle
5x136
5x185
5x226
5x256
11x291
19x226

GB lat pulldown 90
2x20
2x18
2x16
1x20

Band pull aparts
7x20


GIANT SETS

Axle strict press 136
5x8

250+lb sandbag bearhug and carry
5 rounds

DB lateral raise 25
5x12

Notes: This actually happened  yesterday, but been without computer access for 24 hours.  The bench was decent, but real victory was the sandbag.  Far less drama getting set-up: just ducked down, swept it up and went.  Bodes well for a more solid object.  Strict press continues to improve at a gradual rate.

Woke up at 197.0 that morning. No weigh in today.  Got some new weightlifting shoes (Adidas Powerlift 3.1s) that I'll try out for some front squatting tomorrow.

Training Log: Entry 2528

AM WORKOUT

SUPERSETS

Buffalo Bar Squats 260
10x10

Set 1: Dips 1x34
Set 2: Band pull aparts 1x20
Set 3: Log clean 1x1x200lbs
rotate

Notes: I seem to have adjusted to this stimulus.  Not nearly as awful as it was the past few times.  Part of that is switching to a lighter/more dynamic approach to the cleans I imagine, but part of it is just getting more accustomed to the workload and degree of suck.  Still sticking with sub 2 minute rest periods.  I'm getting closer and closer to RX weight with the lowest rest periods, which will mean moving on to fewer sets for the same rep total soon.

Woke up at 197.8.  Am already getting fed up with how much I have to eat.  Re-living my "Building the Monolith" experience.

Training Log: Entry 2527

AM WORKOUT

GIANT SETS

Log viper and press away
5xLog
5x145
5x170
11x195
1x265(strict, lifetime PR)
15x150

Reverse hypers 230
6x14

Band pull aparts
6x20

GIANT SETS

Log clean and push press 225
4x3

Reverse hyper 230
4x14

Hammer curls 45
4x10

Notes: I took some video of the 265 set that I'll upload later, but it was a total beast of an effort.  Definite "standing bench press" moment, where the weight and shape of the log definitely overtook my body and I was just holding on.  Pressing it, it wanted to go everywhere but up, and ended up traveling in front, behind, and to the side before eventually moving all the way up.  I was afraid of either dumping the log or dislocating my shoulder at one point.  All of this just makes the victory sweeter though.  This is the weight I'll use in competition, and if I can hit it for a strict press first thing in the morning under significant fatigue, I feel confident for the day of, to say nothing of if I end up in the lower weight class.

Thought I went for a 5lb increase on the push presses, but turns out it was 15.  Hit triples as well as I can.  Leg drive still rough, but I'll take it.

Woke up at 198.2.  I'll see how much of that I keep through the week, but things keep trending up.

Mrs. gave me a massage last night for Father's day and remarked that my back had "more muscles" than she remembered being there since the last time she gave me a massage.  I think that's a good sign for this hypertrophy phase.