Training Log: Entry 3444

AM WORKOUT (0400 wake up via alarm)

**12 LABORS: CAPTURING THE CERYNEIAN HIND**

*Tactical Barbell Operator* Cycle 1, Week 3, Workout 2

MAIN WORK

SSB front squat

4x3x255

ALTERNATE w/

Log clean and press away

4x3x170

Trap bar lift

1x495

ASSISTANCE

HLR

3x10

Axle curls

66 unbroken reps

BPA

2x50

Notes:

* Slept hard last night.  Woke up 6 minutes before the alarm, went back to sleep and had a full dream in that time.  

* I’m going to start with the elephant: that was the most ridiculous pull I’ve managed in a LONG time.  That’s a 12 second concentric.  I thought for sure I was going to blackout at around the 4 second mark, but I decided at that point to just pull UNTIL that happened.  I legit felt like I was standing still at one point.  I realized that, without a straight bar, I don’t really have any “tricks” to pull off when the bar stops moving.  I couldn’t ramp it or hitch or anything: I just had to keep on pushing until SOMETHING happened.  And yes, I DID rest at the top in the attempt to try to get in more reps after that, but decided I finally had enough as I was bringing it back down.  This was supposed to be a triple, and, in turn, I once again realize the difference in my capabilities between reps and heavy singles.  This definitely needs to become my new max for the rest of this cycle, which is going to mean some lighter weights on the easier weeks, but I could always try for more sets at that point.  Ultimately, I’ve got mixed emotions, as it’s a nutkick to not be as strong on the pulls as I used to be, but I am SO elated that I still have this kinda fight in me ON a heavy pull.  It’s been a long time since I’ve fought that hard for a rep: good to still have it in me.

* I nixed the front squat rack hold for 2 reasons.  1 being logistical, as I have to unload the trap bar to load up the SSB, and the second is that, with this day having a heavy pull on it, I’m thinking I’m already loading my CNS enough and don’t need the additional stress.  This should also keep my knees feeling springy.  Since I alternate between HLR and ab wheel every workout, this will allow me equal opportunities to pair those with the holds still.

* On the note of knees, my right knee is feeling a little achy today, but that’s because I was being VERY bouncy in sparring last night.  Since I’m feeling healthier, I’m trying to move healthier and take advantage of it, moving in and out, working angles, throwing lots of kicks at weird angles, etc.  It’s also nice as it’s added some unpredictability to my game, since most folks there are used to sparring me while I’m beat up.

* I made it through 2 rounds of our tournament last night.  Went against a junior student, so I stuck with just hands (we’re only allowed 3 punches: front, reverse and side, and can only punch the body) and focused on using footwork for evasion.  I managed 1 body punch early in the match, and then just trying to create openings while evading kicks.  Ran out the clock, second round was against the Valkyrie.  Used it as an opportunity to try out a bunch of new tricks, threw a jump spin back kick at one point, chained together a lot of spin crescent kicks, etc.  We ended up going 2 to 1 in her favor.  I gave her a little assist on her match for champion: in the match before hers, I called out the guy she was going to face, pointing out “He’s only got 2 moves: a low to high roundhouse that he follows up with a hook kick”.  The dude got a shocked look on his face, realizing he was exposed, and it totally threw him off his game for his match with the Valkyrie: he NEVER threw his pet combo.  I watched her land 2 solid bodypunches and then run out the clock to win for the night: solid victory.

* We’re doing a double sparring class tonight, to make up for some missed classes. 

* That deadlift is still in my head.   I want to be the deadlifter I was again.  I think I got some plans for my future.