Giant Set: Dumbbell Front Raises/Dumbbell Lateral Raises/Dumbbell Bent Over Raises
20'sx7/7/7
20'sx7/7/7
20'sx7/7/7
20'sx7/7/7
Straight Arm Pulldowns
120x15
120x15
120x15
EZ Curl Bar French Presses
70x10
70x10
70x10
70x10
70x10
70x10
70x10
70x10
70x10
70x10
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
Knee aches but not terribly. Absolutely no soreness or sluggishness in
my legs which is kind of crazy with the workload but on them so far this
cycle. Elbows are still taking a beating though. I had to wait about a
half hour after I did my warm-up as someone got into the only rack I can
use while I was putting on my shoes. Maybe I should just load the
station with all the plates to save it next time haha. The push press
singles continue. Short rests and more weight. I didn’t monkey around
with my stance this time and I tried to attack the unrack like last
week. It took about five singles into the working weight before I felt I
was firing on all systems. Until that happened, I felt like I wasn’t
putting everything into the lift. I was kind of worried that my achy
knee and sore elbows were holding me back. Not the case thankfully.
Close grip incline followed. Wrists were very sore on warm-ups. Same
setup as the previous weeks but more weight. I knew to expect the
tougher first two sets and then be ready for all out madness for the
last set. Had a great spot for that set; kept me motivated to go for
more and hit a PR. Giant set with the dumbbell raise was the same as
last week. Probably just to not stress my biceps as much. Felt ok,
definitely easier this time. Straight arm pulldowns followed up that and
they were for higher reps. That made it way tougher and I had to rest
pause to get all the reps for the last set. Achy joints still needed to
do the hundred reps of triceps. Bigger bump up in weight for this week.
Fatigue and difficult increasing but still finishing it all in solid
form. Stretched and then home for meatloaf.
One Legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts
75’sx3/3
75’sx3/3
75’sx3/3
Leg Extensions
110x100
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bw+25x6
bw+25x6
bw+25x6
26 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
All the aches are coming. Knee not as bad as it was two weeks ago but
certainly noticeable. Elbows and shoulders are really sore and achy.
Also got some indigestion, not sure where that came from. Not stopping
haha. The go to hatfields started off the session. Continuing to
increase the weight for the 5x5. Weight is still moving good. Legs
aren’t getting tired but core definitely feels fatigue over the sets.
Good power for the first three reps of each set but a slight slowdown on
the last two reps. Still feel I could double the reps each set though.
Paused box squats with a wide stance followed. I did the warm-ups a
little differently this time. One higher rep set with the bar and then
going up in weight each set before doing the working sets. Knee
surprised me on the first set so it felt a lot tougher than the
following sets. Much like last week, I feel I got better as the sets
went on. Last two sets felt the best. Hands were getting sweaty on these
haha. Hips aren’t fighting me as much on these now. Bodyweight warm-ups
on the one-leggeds again to get my form down and ready. Weight is still
not an issue and I felt my balance improved each set. I did technically
more than three reps on the first set but a rep on each side was “ugly”
and I wanted to count good reps here. Good hamstring work. Leg
extensions after that. More weight, still going for 100 reps. This time,
it wasn’t as tough as last week. I didn’t start to feel anything until
about 50 reps into it and by 70 reps I think my nerve endings in my legs
all died and I finished it up pretty easy. Abs to finish up the
session. That first rep always seems to sort out my spine after all the
squatting haha. Stretched a little before calling it a night.
Push-ups (Juarez Valley 12)
BW in 2 minutes and 23.44 seconds
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
I’m starting to feel a little beat from the workouts. I got plenty of
sleep but it definitely is coming to the point where a deload will be
needed haha. Strict presses started off the day. Right off the bat, the
weight felt heavy and my right knee was aching. Not a good combo when
the goal is AMAP with a heavy weight. First two sets were singles and
while the bar didn’t really slow, it they were much tougher than they
should have been. Really made me concerned I wouldn’t hit more than a
double and making me wish I had last week’s power. I got myself pretty
darn excited and got an explosive set of five. I went for another but I
was out of power and it stalled halfway. Improvement at least haha. Z
presses up after that. I did three lightish singles with short rest
(it’s a pain getting up and down into position) before doing work sets.
First two went as expected. Two reps went up well on the last set and I
went for a third. I stalled and tried to adjust but I got off balance
and fell backwards and the rack caught it. Just have to laugh sometimes.
I know the strength is there. Incline dumbbell with band with a little
jump up in weight. Down to one training partner again so same method as
last week. Not as easy as the first week but better than last week.
Really got to build a lot of power to beat the band tension to lockout
the weights. Active rest in the form of band pull aparts followed and
then right into the superset for arms. Elbows were achy for the first
set of triceps and it felt heavy. That went away in the following sets.
Biceps didn’t like me today. Right one is just perpetually sore and the
left is just being a pain. I think the issue with the left is from the
stretched position and possibly irritating a nerve. It feels “hot” and
similar to the sensation of someone just having freshly ripped a
band-aid off my arm. I didn’t have this at all the first week but it was
there last week. I made it through the work sets but didn’t push the
max rep set for the curls this time. I stopped after I felt it wasn’t
worth it to tempt the fates. Pushups from hell was next. Goal post was
moved so that I now had to get them all under 2 minutes and 25 seconds.
Curse me and my improving each time! This was very tough and I just
barely got under the goal time. Again, had to take short rests (like ten
seconds) near the end. Stretched and got three recovery burritos.
Circuits (no rest between exercises)
Shrugs/T-Bar Prison Rows/Neutral Grip Pull-ups/Ab Wheel/Glute Ham Raises
425x6/+190x6/bwx7/bwx6/bwx7
425x6/+190x6/bwx7/bwx6/bwx7
425x6/+190x6/bwx7/bwx6/bwx7
30 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
Did a bit more work on my off day then I had planned. Teaching some
deadlift and conditioning stuff to my sister’s friend. Usually I just
walk but I ended up doing more prowler sprints than I should have haha.
Plenty recovered for the next day though. I had some warning that
training would be earlier so I was ready. The pause squats for sets of
five again. Same weight and this time it felt better. Nothing really
felt off here and felt consistent every rep. Did tire a little though. I
did start laughing mid set on the second set from the comments about
the music choice. Deadlifts followed. I was motivated to make last week
look like a snail’s pace. Triple for the day was very good. It could be
faster but this felt very strong. I felt like I could do it for ten if I
needed to. Speed work was also on point. Same thing as last week with
an extra set tacked on. Am to pull fast and be consistent. Started to
slow down a little bit by the end. Circuit work followed. Increased the
weights on the shrugs and rows and increased the reps on the pull-ups and
ghrs. Hardly felt the increase on the shrugs. I did notice it on the
other stuff though haha. I did like how this feels going through all of
the lifts like this, though it does take up a lot of space. Stretched a
bit to finish up another week.
Giant Set: Dumbbell Front Raises/Dumbbell Lateral Raises/Dumbbell Bent Over Raises
20'sx7/7/7
20'sx7/7/7
20'sx7/7/7
20'sx7/7/7
Straight Arm Pulldowns
120x12
120x12
120x12
EZ Curl Bar French Presses
60x10
60x10
60x10
60x10
60x10
60x10
60x10
60x10
60x10
60x10
28 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
I can’t say I’m not disappointed my body isn’t sore from the workouts
this week. My legs barely feel a thing from the last workout. I know
that I shouldn’t be disappointed because soreness doesn’t mean
improvement. The fact I was sore from the workload last week and now I’m
not should be what I’m excited about as it means I’m recovering and
adapting to the workload. Knee continues to improve (don’t have to walk
down steps backwards haha) but elbows are starting to ache. Push presses
for lots of singles with short rests again, just with more weight. I
was able to attack the unrack with a bit more zeal this week with my
knee feeling loads better. It did take a set or two at the working
weight to feel like was taking the weight seriously. Definitely not as
easy as last week but sets were very consistent. I did tamper with my
stance to determine which one allowed for more lower body drive, which
felt better on my knee and which one led to greater stability. Incline
work followed. Same as deal as last week, just more weight. I knew what
to expect. I’m really not sure why the last set feels better, maybe it
is because I ask for a spotter so I can go for broke and I’ve taken the
limiters off or something. Maybe having an audience makes me want to
succeed and impress. Who knows haha. My right side was definitely
lagging and I stopped after eleven reps as I knew if I tried for
another, it would have been the ugliest rep I'd ever done or attempted.
Giant set with the dumbbell raises. Weight increased and reps decreased
drastically. I knew this time would be smooth sailing. Only issue was
with the lateral raises in that my achy elbows were stressed and my
right biceps is acting all stupid. Straight arm pulldowns next. Better
than last time, though my abs cramped up pretty hard on the first set.
Can still improve from here. By this point, my elbows, shoulders and
wrists were all achy. Still had a century of triceps to go. Weight is
light and very little fatigue felt through it all. I was glad when it
was all done so I could rest. Three recovery burritos to end the night.
One Legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts
70’sx3/3
70’sx3/3
70’sx3/3
Leg Extensions
100x100
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bw+25x6
bw+25x6
bw+25x6
26 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
Knee is continuing to improve. Still wasn’t certain if the squats would
go well as my lower back and hamstrings were feeling it. Hammies sore
and lower back achy. The staple hatfield squats started off the session.
Confidence and stability were much improved (most due to knee feeling
better). With the bar speed, I knew something special was going to
happen. The weight felt easier than last week by far and one set was
almost what I would call speed work. I had to keep counting the weights
to make sure I had the right weight on the bar haha. No major fatigue
like I felt last week. Upper back definitely got worked and it felt
good. Wide stance box squats were next. I didn’t realize I was supposed
to pause these last week. Never done pause box squats before. I did more
sets to warm-up (still not as many as I’d usually do for say my usual
ME/DE split) and make sure the knee was cool with it. As I expected, the
pause made this a bit tougher but my familiarity with the exercise
improved. Everything felt better than last week and I think the last set
was my best one. Definitely felt the hips, hamstrings and glutes
working hard here. One-legged dumbbell rdls were next. I practiced with
no weight for a few reps before going at it. As I mentioned, balance not
weight is the issue here. I switched from starting with my right and
then left. I did the reverse the week before because I wasn’t sure how
my knee would like it. I know it is fine now so I started with my more
uncoordinated side first. Balance was definitely better this week and I
made short work of it. Not quite as tough on the hamstrings this time.
The century of leg extensions was next. I read the sheet in my haste as
100lbs (it was 90lbs) and took it as a challenge. Same deal, aiming for
100 total, 10 seconds rest to rest pause it out. When I got to 80 reps, I
knew I had to finish it out with no breaks; get it in one set again. I
did it but it was a lot harder than last time. Took a bit more effort to
make it back downstairs for ab work haha. Upped the weight on the
sit-ups a bit. Wasn’t too noticeable as the issues had been just getting
back into the exercise. Not much ab soreness but my right hip got
pretty tight. Didn’t need as much stretching this time.
Push-ups (Juarez Valley 12)
BW in 2 minutes and 30.31 seconds
31 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
Knee is starting to feel better. My lower back kind of seized up on me
Sunday as soon as I finished stretching. Finally calmed down during the
night. Hamstring also sore and twitchy messes. Time to do it all over
again. Barbell pressing for the start. Can’t begin to tell you how
nervous I was about these as I feel I’m really hit or miss when it comes
to the overhead press. Lots of power off the shoulders and grinding
lockout. If I mess up, it can kill the rest of the reps and sets. Wasn’t
expecting to be this heavy again but I guess I need to toughen up haha.
Knee didn’t start to talk to me until I got up to 195lbs. Working sets
went well. Really amped for the set of four. I felt I had another rep in
me. Moved on to z presses after that and it was triples and then aim
for AMAP with the last set. Didn’t really need any warm-ups. I thought I
could push for a fourth but not happening today. Incline dumbbell with
band again with a bit more weight. I didn’t think this would be such a
substantial increase but it was. I only had one workout partner so I did
have to wait for both bells before I started. It was rough. Band pull
aparts followed and I felt them in my upper back more than usual. Pretty
easy compared to last week. Not much of an arm pump for the superset
this time. Increased the weight and almost matched the reps on both. I
was having issues balancing the bar for the triceps and the I was
feeling stuff in my biceps on the curls. The bunch of pushups was after
that. Goal was to get under 2 minutes and 50 seconds. I felt more
fatigued this time and I wasn’t feeling like I was moving very fast. I
had to take more breaks near the end. I managed to get well under the
goal time. Felt good to stretch and go home for food.
Circuits (no rest between exercises)
Shrugs/T-Bar Prison Rows/Neutral Grip Pull-ups/Ab Wheel/Glute Ham Raises
405x6/+180x6/bwx6/bwx6/bwx6
405x6/+180x6/bwx6/bwx6/bwx6
405x6/+180x6/bwx6/bwx6/bwx6
34 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
Finishing up the first week back. Still got soreness in my legs and
upper body. I had gone for a walk and did two short sessions with the
hand massager. Training was moved up an hour so didn’t have much time to
dillydally. Also meant a bit of stiffness to shake off before I got
moving haha. The usual pause front squats were first. Instead of the
usual singles or doubles, it was sets of five. With the pauses and
somewhat short rests, it could be interesting. I made sure I got my
walkout just right so as to minimize any discomfort to the right knee.
These went surprisingly well and the only rep that felt like I had to
put effort into it was the very last one. Regular old deadlifts after
that. Been doing weird stuff for the past few cycles haha. Of course,
the knee didn’t like my usual deadlift stance so I had to adjust and I
took less warm-ups. The triple was solid but not as easy as I would have
liked. Speed work just how I thought it would so that was a plus. Maybe
I was warmed up from the triple. Working on just ripping the sucker up
and pushing into the ground with my heels. Next up was something a
little different which was a circuit of exercises. No rest between them
and big rest after each circuit was done. Had to get a little creative
with the camera and tried to time things when I wouldn’t be in anyone
else’s way. First run was good (other than hitting my head on the rack
on the third pull-up) and it went much the same for the other two.
Stretched and called it a day.
Giant Set: Dumbbell Front Raises/Dumbbell Lateral Raises/Dumbbell Bent Over Raises
15'sx12/12/12
15'sx12/12/12
15'sx12/12/12
15'sx12/12/12
Straight Arm Pulldowns
120x12
120x12
120x12
EZ Curl Bar French Presses
55x10
55x10
55x10
55x10
55x10
55x10
55x10
55x10
55x10
55x10
32 Minutes of Stretching
Comments: The DOMS is very real. Got it in my upper body and lower body. Hand massager isn’t cutting it to get relief haha. Looking at this workout, I knew that feeling was here to stay. Up first was push presses. Lots of singles with short rest. I really not sure how much (if any) leg drive I was going to get today. I didn’t do nearly as many warm-ups for these as the working weight itself was light and for a lot of sets and my upper body was pretty tight to begin with. Additionally, the less on my knee, the better. The unrack was the trickiest part with the knee and the tight upper body. Power was there and consistent on all sets. Some sets I felt I got more lower body drive and others more upper body drive. I definitely could have kept on going and going. With all the push presses, I didn’t need much in the way of warm-ups for incline other than some sets to adjust to the movement. I kind of knew what I could hit but wasn’t certain. I usually do these with a wider grip and have only done close like this with an axle and for the Spoto variation. Big ROM for me. Bar speed felt great but it felt tough near lockout on the last two reps of the first two sets and I was concerned my max rep set would be subpar due to fatigue. Not sure where the power came from for the set but I did a dozen. Biggest distraction was actually the spotter as he kept asking me how many (I told him as many as possible and more than six) and kept getting closer and closer to the bar as I got slower, sloppier and more fatigued. On to the dumbbell raises. Haven’t done these since the first two training cycles but I knew what to expect; pain. Lighter than in the past but for more sets. I made it through with no breaks on any of the sets. But I know I will be very sore later. Then on to straight arm pulldowns. I’ve gotten a lot better at these but I knew these would be tough and sloppy considering all the rep work beforehand. No issues. Then to finish things up, it was ten sets of ten reps of triceps. This took some time and I knew this would mean more sore triceps. Good deal of stretching and then three recovery burritos to end the work week.
One Legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlifts
65’sx3/3
65’sx3/3
65’sx3/3
Leg Extensions
40x2
80x100
Spread Eagle Sit-ups
bw+10x6
bw+10x6
bw+10x6
34 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
With my right knee being all weird, I wasn’t sure how this one was
going to turn out. I didn’t hurt or get worse so I went on ahead with
it. First thing was hatfields. I’ve done this weight before, just not
for this many sets and reps. I cautious on every rep, keeping note of my
knee. I was initially descending slower than usual to make sure nothing
was up and gradually got to 100% once I felt everything was copacetic. I
need slow the ascent so that I didn’t accidentally hyperextend my knee
at lockout. Not quite speed work but good and fast here. While it didn’t
look like it, the fatigue built up quickly over the sets. Granted I
still felt I could do double the reps by the end, lactic acid was
building in my quads, hamstrings and glutes. Then on to wide stance box
squats. It has been over a year since I’ve done a squat with a barbell
on my back or done a box squat so I figured there were would be some
adjustments needed. I didn’t do many warm-ups as I was already pretty
warm for the previous exercise and the shearing force on my knee was the
main thing I needed to test. It felt really awkward with the barbell on
my back. My shoulders are bigger and tight than in the past so getting
used to that might take a little time haha. Really widened out my stance
about a 12-18” each side. Hands got sweaty and I might need to chalk
them next time haha. I should get better at these pretty quick I think.
On to one legged dumbbell rdls. I’ve done these in the past but I
haven’t liked them as they make me look stupid. The weight is easy but
my balance is all over the place so quite a few ugly reps. Right side is
much better than the left. I will get better at these with practice.
Even with the light weight and low reps, I really felt these in my
hamstrings after the sets were done. Go figure. Next was leg extensions.
This was one I was concerned I couldn’t do because of the knee. I had
tried it out at Max Fitness the other day but that machine hurt too
much. My hope was the one at the Y would be better suited to my
proportions. If not, the back-up plan was TKEs with a band. Plan was 100
reps in total, rest pausing until the reps were done. I did half the
weight to test out the knees for a double and I knew I was good to go.
What followed was a little over a minute and a half of leg extensions. I
managed all reps in one set. Wasn’t expecting that haha. I know I will
be sore later and regret my decision. Finished up with ab work. Took a
few reps to figure out my form on these. Stretched a lot, used a hand
massager on my legs and arms and had meatloaf.
Push-ups (Juarez Valley 12)
BW in 3 minutes and 3.80 seconds
31 Minutes of Stretching
Comments:
Work ended up being way more hectic than expected. Guess I should have
been prepared for it after the three day weekend. It had me worried that
I wouldn’t be able to put my best foot forward for this new cycle.
Right knee is still tender in some movements and ranges of motion.
Thought it would be all better by now with the rest. Weight is up like
10lbs but that is probably food and water (and not being on edge haha).
Went to train at Max Fitness. First on the agenda was strict pressing. I
figured I would be stronger than I was from my first cycle despite
little strict pressing. Form was a little off (so of it was hesitation
with putting too much pressure on the knee) but the weight was flying
up. I was visibly shaking in anticipation for each work set. Last set
was very tough and I struggled mightily for the last two reps. It felt
off balance and I tried adjusting my grip mid set. Turns out I had
misloaded one side by 10lbs so that would explain the trouble locking
out with my right side. The success with the strict pressing got me in a
less stressed and more pleasant mood. Moved on to z presses after that.
Haven’t really tried to max with a barbell before other than when I
first started out. I felt good on the first two sets but got greedy on
the last one. I definitely went to the max here haha. Next was a new one
for me; incline dumbbell bench with a band. Band was around my back
like I’ve done in the past for push-ups. Only thing I couldn’t figure
out was how to get the dumbbells from the floor to my shoulders while
holding the bands. Luckily, training partners were available and I had
them hand the bells to me. I didn’t do a light set as I figured the
weight was light enough and my learning curve would be the first set. I
got used to the tension after that first set and made the second set
look like a warm-up set. Right side lagging once I got into the max rep
set though. Back to the familiar band pull aparts after that. Tougher
than in the past but that is to be expected after the break and coming
back with all these reps. The reps continued. Next was a superset of
decline triceps and incline biceps. No issue with the triceps but
definitely lingering tightness in the biceps. Arm pump was very real,
especially after the max rep set. Then a bunch of push-ups (78 in total)
to end the session. Not sure how to describe the feeling but the best I
can say is that my upper torso felt “bloated” by the end. Knee didn’t
like it when I tried to get up from a set of push-ups too quick. Put in a
lot of work, stretched and went home for food.
Well, 2015 competitive season is done and in the books. Ended up doing two shows and one of them was Nationals. Also managed to finally clean and press 300lbs on a log not just in training but in contest. That has been a big hurdle for me. Unlike past years, I don’t feel like I’ve regressed and I feel like I’m slowly climbing up the ladder. Which leads to the next cycle. After discussion with Coach Bryant, I’m going into offseason training with a focus on hypertrophy and strength for the next few months. Plan at the end is to test my max on push press, strict press, deadlift and hatfield squat. So no more contests for 2015 and probably none until late Spring or early Summer next year. Now this will change if I get an invite to the 2016 Arnold and all energy will be put towards that endeavor. It’s a world championship, so why not? Working on the long term gains. So a lot more gym work, more reps and no event training. My Left ankle and right knee are still a bit sore from Nationals so I’m not really fighting back on the no events for now haha. I really want to get to deadlifting 700lbs by the end of 2016 and I know this is tall order. Off season is about a month earlier than it was last year but then again, I was injured and getting back into it. Ideally, I won’t need as long of a prep cycle for a contest (unless it is a pro/am) with the base strength I’ve gained. Been taking it real easy this past week; working, eating and going for brisk walks. Training for 2016 starts tomorrow.
It has been three
years since I last competed at Nationals. It was in Tunica, Mississippi
in a parking lot of a casino with land so flat that you could watch your
dog run away from home for three days straight. The casino is gone now
and like that casino, I wanted to make the memory of my first time at
the big show to go away as well. Bad thoughts with it. I had been
unprepared and left that parking lot in the sun bruised and wanting.
I’ve tried to back it back but I either was injured and couldn’t qualify
or I was just plain not good enough. So when I finally re-qualified
this year, I was ecstatic, especially so when my strength coach gave me
the go ahead to pursue it.
Now, this year’s contest was in
Davenport, Iowa. I think the only people who go to Iowa intentionally
are running for president. Left right after work on Wednesday and had
some freaking awesome fish tacos near Pittsburgh (not euphemism for sex)
for the first night. Drove the rest of the way with my father (dad is
my co-pilot). Read three books before the day was done in the car
(spoiler alert; they sucked). Lots of bridges going through Illinois and
we were greeted by what I assume to be the state bird; the middle
finger. Made it to Iowa and checked in to the hotel that was connected
to the convention center. The water fountain outside was on fire. I’m
sure that’s symbolize for something but I can’t for the life of me
hazard a guess.
The rules meeting was at around 7:30 Thursday
night and was mandatory. I weighed in at 267.4lbs with everything on.
Since I really wanted to get a shot at an invite to the Arnold, I took
of my shoes and shorts and got down to 264.2lbs so I was under 265lbs. I
was given a number (505, the same weight in pounds as the stone I
lifted with Jenkins, fortuitous perhaps) a gift bag, a name tag lanyard
and two contest shirts. Still had about 2 hours before the rules meeting
so my dad and I went to a local bar/diner. I got two entrees and then
ended up with a bonus entree when the kitchen made one too many turkey
burgers. Our waitress challenged me to eat it so I had to. By this
point, I was at the tipping point of being uncomfortably full. I was
wearing my cats on pizza slices in space shirt and some women
competitors there noticed and started talking to me. I answered their
questions as politely as I could (I relayed this to my younger sister
and was informed I can’t flirt for shit). In my defense, I was very
full. Went back for rules meeting and went to bed.
Like
clockwork, I was a nervous wreck in the morning. Literally having to
shove food down my gullet. Something that normally takes me like 10
minutes took over a half hour as I was fighting the urge to vomit. Big
time anxiety but just got to tamp it down. Venue was inside and there
were four sets of each implement, with designated lanes. Hefty division
had 49 competitors vying for the elusive Pro Card. My chances were
nonexistent but I could hope to improve on last time, hit PRs and maybe,
just maybe, get a coveted invite to the Arnold. The other big change
besides being inside was the monitors. The whole shebang was being
broadcasted to the web. Saw people I only knew from Facebook and Youtube
as well as some people that recognized me from same. Most didn’t
recognize me with the beard. Answered everything with a smile.
But
I was still beyond freaking out inside. Calm exterior. I do want to
reiterate that point. I used the lavatory about four times in the span
of an hour and I only had one meal. I was so out of it focus wise that I
accidentally used the women’s bathroom. I didn’t realize that I had
done so until I walked out and saw the opposing restroom said “MENS”
above it. There is so much waiting and down time with over 220 people
competing. Could be waiting an hour after the last warm-up before
lifting. I wore my rehband belt and my new copper infused elbow sleeves
(not that I believe the mumbo-jumbo) to keep warm and spent my time
either pacing, sitting or sipping my jug of water filled with BCCAs.
The
first event of the day was log clean and press. 300lbs for as many reps
as possible in a 60 seconds time period. Log is a wishy-washy one for
me. Just now getting consistent with hitting it for a single in
training. This log was weird, rough skin like a shark and handle
placement that made the clean a bit tougher. I knew enough in advance
about the clean issues and balance and had adjusted my technique in
training accordingly. I just told myself that I had to do it, I couldn’t
bomb here. I pulled into my lap, scraping up my shins in the process,
and got it set deep. I rolled it up and it was there on my shoulders. I
drove into it and it went forward but I had the power in my triceps to
lock it out. Down command given and I knew I needed to try for another
to be viable. Hell, this was a 20lbs contest PR as it was. I took a big
breather and went at the log again. Scraped my knees on the log and had
so hesitation in the clean but up it went and much the same it went up. A
freaking double with 300lbs! There was 15 seconds left so I called it
there as I knew I would rush it trying for a triple. Tied with a few
people for 28th place.
Up next was a yoke front carry. 650lbs for
60’ with a 60 second time limit. Unlimited drops allowed. Usually, I
tend to go last on yoke events due to my height. However, since my arms
hang low, I was right in the middle this time. Unlike log, I only got a
single warm-up with about half the weight. I felt lightheaded when I did
it and this was not good. I have a history of blacking out on conan’s
wheel events and I generally have no issues in training. I had no issues
this whole cycle but I was using a yoke with a much thinner crossbar.
This was not a contingency I had really planned for as I didn’t think it
would be a problem. Spent my time just telling myself to breath and not
hold my breath. I got under like I practiced week in and week out and
started off. It felt fine but then I got lightheaded and my vision went
dark and I dropped it. Still a lot of course left to go. The yoke kept
hitting my snooze button and it was becoming a battle between staying
calm and panicking as time was running out. My last shot had me short
with five second left and I just couldn’t get anything more. I ended up
completing only 53’6” of the course. Terrible, a 43rd place finish for
me here.
Final event of the Day 1 was the farmer’s walk. 350lbs a
hand with a 60’ course and a 60 second time limit. I knew this was
going to more than it seemed as the handles were known to be notoriously
slick. Knowing, this I had made my training harder than the show event,
using my slick handles and picking from a lower pick height. This
didn’t eliminate the doubts; always buffeting my confidence. Confidence
was a bit weakened from the red light/green light with my solar plexus
from the yoke. It did warm-up my body so I just had to have minimal time
with the handles to prep. I knew I was golden when 300lbs went up easy
on a pick. I had to go pretty early due to my poor placing on the yoke
front carry. As it was more to do with screwed up physiology then a lack
of strength, I figured I’d be the only one to finish my heat. That
confidence feels unnatural to me somehow and I even felt like I could
still blunder. Got my grip and took off at a steady pace. I didn’t
accelerate until the end as I really wanted to keep from dropping (kind
of had to not drop them after the MC said I was putting on a grip
clinic). As I tend to do, I held the farmer’s for a little bit at the
finish before dropping them. Indicates I’m in control. I finished with a
time of 13.66 seconds for 20th place here.
After the first day, I
was in 34th place overall and 9th out of 15 in the under 265lbs class. I
had not expected the disappointment in the yoke front carry and had
expected to be higher. Couldn’t let it eat at me as I knew I was better
and I knew I could pick-up points and placings in the day to come. I
really had to decompress after that day and hope that I can turn on the
power for yet another day. Haven’t done a two day contest since Tunica
and I wasn’t sure how my body would react. Went out to eat again at a
fine dining establishment (crazy lady was getting drunk off of wine and
dropping f-bombs by the end) and saw snippet on the local news about
Nationals. Granted it was preceded by a charity event at a local school
that involved kissing a potbellied pig, it’s not nothing. We then
stopped by the riverboat casino (man laws don’t count on the mighty
Mississippi) more out of morbid curiosity than any actual need. I was
carded walking in. I just turned 30, have a full beard with some white
hair so I’m not sure how to take that haha. I think the smoke alone took
10 years off my life from walking around there. Same routine the next
day with waking up and force-feeding sustenance. There was also a bounce
house in the convention center lobby when I got there so that was new.
First
event of the day was a one arm push/pull medley. 200lbs circus dumbbell
clean and press into a 300lbs one arm deadlift with a modified farmer’s
walk handle with a 60 second time limit. You had to start with the
dumbbell and then alternate between the two before time expired. Each
successful lift counted as half a rep. I had been putting the work in on
the dumbbell and one arm pull. Like the log press, I haven’t hit the
200lbs dumbbell in contest, so even though I hit a double in training,
it wasn’t a certainty. The one arm pull had been modified so that it was
even easier than what I was prepping for in training so it was an
afterthought and I feel most of the rest of the field felt the same way.
One of the four dumbbells was damaged in the lightweight class so the
lanes got changed to three for this one. I dove onto the dumbbell and
hefted it to my shoulder. The one side felt loose and I had to let it
settle before launching it overhead. It wasn’t until I got the down
signal that I knew I had it. Popped over to the deadlift and just stood
up with it. Back to the dumbbell. Goes up just a smoothly but I get no
down signal. The judge says I need my feet together and I lose control
attempting to get my stance narrower. So much wasted effort. Stay calm,
stay in control. I do an instant replay and get told to get my feet
together again. I make it so and get the down call. Glad he called it
when he did as my left shoulder did not like it and I did a feel test to
make sure it was ok. Then another tug of the deadlift and then back to
the dumbbell. Just not enough umph to get it locked out this time and I
settle for two. Tied with a few people for 28th place.
The final
event was an event I had been given me many a late night workout; the
sandbag medley. 75 seconds to carry and load three sandbags 60’. Weights
were 240lbs, 260lbs and 275lbs. It was initially going to be four
sandbags but someone had mercy this day. Due to biceps issues, I had to
change how I normally pick up the sandbags and this may have been a
blessing in disguise as these bags were really packed tight and my
normal bear-hug method would have been irksome here. The only warm-up I
needed here was to pick up the heaviest bag and then do a brief sprint. I
would have to do quite well here to pick up points as the order was in
overall placings. I watched a lot of people slip, fall and fail. Hard to
stay focused on the task at hand until you get out there and your
heartbeat in your head drowns out the noises. One and done. Time starts
and violently lap the bag and sprint toward the flatbed truck (we were
loading to there). I attempt to change direction but my feet skid
attempting the lateral shift. I’m definitely not the fastest but I again
violently pull the sandbag up and sprint back again. Last one. This one
is much tighter packed and I miss my mark. I fumble with it. Starting
to panic. I remember all the late night sessions with the sandbag; my
labored breaths, the cicadas buzzing and my sweat dripping and I roll up
the sandbag in a deep lap. Not today. I move but not as quickly and
load the last bag. All three done in a time of 47.63 seconds. Good
enough for 21st place.
After that, we were on the road again.
Ordered five entrees at Cracker Barrel and the waiter didn’t even bat an
eye. That is one impressive poker face. As for the contest itself; I
didn’t die. I will elaborate; I did things and things were done. I
managed to work around an injury (biceps) and keep it together to put in
a relatively consistent and solid performance. If we go by numbers, I
place 29th out of 49 in the open heavyweight class and 8th out 15 in the
under 265lbs class. Better than last time and it would be higher if I
didn’t like to sleep during conan’s carry. I feel this time through was
cleansing. More mature this time around. Pressing has improved and so
has my static strength. Now I didn’t stick around as I figured I was way
too far out of qualifying for the Arnold. I may still be invited if
more than one person in my weight class declines the invite so still
possible. Now that the stress of the competition is gone, I can safely
say I had fun and enjoyed myself. Am I satisfied? No, I feel this is a
beginning to a new level. As for the immediate future, I’m definitely
taking at least a week off and then deciding from there what the plan
is. I’m looking forward to what this coming year will bring.
I’m a little taller than 6′6″ and I really like to lift weights. I’m a competitor in amateur strongman contests. My hope is to become a competitive professional strongman. Currently I'm training for Natural Strongman USA West Coast Championship in Poulsbo, WA on 5/17/2025. I’m not a major competitor yet and I have a long way to go but I’m having fun.
