The Finer Things

So, it's like this. I've got a partner in crime to help me establish my gym of world domination. Actually, Mike said we could use his huge spare garage and he'd go in halvies with me on all costs and give an option for a buy-out if one of us needs to skip town in a hurry. Also, he wants me to put the whole thing together. He just wants to work out with me and I've convinced him that this will have more to offer than his Bowflex TM. This means I can put together exactly what I want and throw out less quid than a nice bike would cost me. Happy New Year to me!

Crazy MOJO

Did a crazy workout this morning. Felt awsome to push that hard, but now I can't walk.

Squats:
135 x 20
225 x 20
275 x 20
225 x 15
225 x 15

Clean and Press: (never done these before, but they felt good)
3 sets of 8 w/135. Felt light but I was really trying to get the form and motion down. And I was wasted after the squats.

Deadlifts: used 35lb plates instead of 45's to extend the range of motion.
3 sets of 8 with 185

Ham curlz
3 sets of 8-10 with moderate weight

Pull thrus
3 sets of 10/ moderate weight

Did a little circuit with deads, ham curlz, and pull thrus.

Abs:
Incline situps: 3 x 20 no weight
Side bends: 3 x 12 with 55Lb

Stretched.

I was exhausted, but this was the most intense training session I've had in a long time. Felt really good.

another monday

put my squat suit on today and got back under the bar. Tossed 405 around like it was a childs play thing. It was good to un-screw my mind after that last meet. My problem now is a horrid case of tendonitis in both arms. Seems to attack me about twice a year. Even doing squats sets it off so bad I pretty much just want to lay down and cry. Unfortunately this morning I was in a squat suit and knew that if I laid down I would never get back up.
Reguardless, I'm still too chicken to put any big weight on the bar because I can't easily get it in and out of that crummy rack. I've decided after the first of the year, I'm going to just suck it up and by my own. I'm probably going to have to drop my gym membership to justify it, so I'll have to get creative. Could be fun. I'll probably actually get in shape.

Happy Pow Pow

Things Learned.

I got a bit of an education this weekend. First off, I don't think I'll ever compete unequipped again. It just isn't how the game is played. Not to mention, it nearly killed me. My first squat, first lift of the day, I called a measley 405. I regularly do sets of 2 or 3 with this weight in the gym. Anyhow, I got down in the hole, my brain went for a swim with the dolphins or something, I leaned foreward, bowed my back, and nearly fell on my face. Then my brain returns to me and tells me that if I miss this weight, I'm going to bomb out of the entire meet. So now that my arse is in the air and my shoulders are on the ground I have to do a good morning with 400+ to stay in the meet. I pulled it off, but I think a couple of guys in the audience puked and little girl was crying in terror. Needless to say, I passed on my next two squat attempts. It's pretty bad when you're walking back past the other lifters and they're all saying, "Hey, nice save!", instead of the typicall "Good Lift".

Second, I've got to start focusing on my form. I know I'm stronger than some of the little guys that kicked my butt. In my day to day training I forget how technical the sport of powerlifting is. This is a huge mistake. If I'm going to compete to win, then I need to train to win. Hopefully this meet was just what I needed to get my mind focused back on the competition and not just "working out". I never got into this sport because I wanted six pack abs or bulging calves. It's what I love doing and I want to be the absolute best that I can be at it.

Texas regional

The day was fun but my head wasn't in it. I did nail a 465 DL raw. That was the one I came for.

Walking with nowhere to go

I've been walking on a treadmill for the past two days. I've got a meet this weekend, so I'm done lifting for the week (Actually, I got bored on the treadmill this morning and ended up doing a ton of pullups and curls this morning, but that doesn't count). The funny thing is, I have no idea why I'm getting up in the morning to go walk on a treadmill. Just seamed like the thing to do. I thought, originally, that I'd drop about six pounds in a week and compete at 198lbs. But then I thought to myself, "Why? I want to compete in the 220 class. I'm not actually doing this meet to break any personal records (or any other records). I'm doing it to get my head back in the game for the next year." I'm not even going to gear up. Gonna lift raw just because it takes the least amount of effort and planning. Why the heck should I care what I weigh, eh? I don't exactly expect to be a crowd pleaser. In fact, if I break a 1200 total I'll be not unhappy. My solitary goal will be to pull 465 raw. Last March I got redlighted at 465 in a suit. This time I want to pull it clean with no gear. I know I'm strong enough. I just don't know if my head is in the right place, but then, I suppose that's the whole point of me doing this meet. Should be interesting.

You guys should come to Amarillo this weekend. Saturday night could be a good time. Unfortunately, my clan wont be joining me, but it could still be fun.